Wearing Colour How to use colour in your wardrobe Wearing Colour, Page 1
Start with Neutrals Neutral coloured pieces are the back bone of a capsule wardrobe. We all need them, and when I create a capsule wardrobe I ensure that it has at least 2 neutral colours. The beauty of this is that a neutral should go with any other colour you introduce into your wardrobe, meaning you will always have something that will go with a new coloured purchase. Wearing accent colours with neutrals is one way you can stand out and add some personality to your outfit. But wearing tone on tone neutrals is an expensive, chic look - often seen on the Armani and Ralph Lauren catwalks. It's a good idea to have both a selection of more expensive items - like a coat or leather skirt - and accessories in neutral colours as they will work harder in your wardrobe giving you better cost per wear. Below are some examples of how to wear neutrals; mixing two together, tone on tone and with an accent colour. Examples of Neutrals: Cream, Stone, Taupe, Pewter, Chocolate, Navy. Charcoal, Black. Wearing Colour, Page 2
The example above shows a grey neutral dress firstly mixed with tan (a not often used, but striking combination) and secondly with cream. Other interesting combinations include navy and black or chocolate brown and black. Wearing Colour, Page 3
The next two looks, above, show variations of the same neutral worn tone on tone. This look works better when you incorporate a pattern as in the fern print shirt or by using texture as shown on the right with leather, suede and wool. Finally showing a neutral skirt with splashes of colour. Make sure the outfit is pulled together - in the first outfit the base colour of the top matches the skirt and bag. In the second look colours for the top, accessories and cardigan are picked out from the scarf. If you are thinking of making an investment purchase I recommend considering a neutral colour first (and try something other than black) you'll find it will go with so much that you already own and may be just what you need to fill a gap in your wardrobe. Wearing Colour, Page 4
Now Mix Colours The concept of a capsule wardrobe should make this easy to do because everything is chosen to work together and all the colours should suit you. Once you have that established take inspiration from a pattern with multiple colours. It could be a piece of fabric, an item in your wardrobe, or in this example, a scarf which demonstrates the theory. Shown below folded and opened out to reveal all of the colours it includes. Wearing Colour, Page 5
scarf: I then went about finding pieces that matched the colours in the The taupe Wearing Colour, Page 6
The chocolate brown and soft white: Wearing Colour, Page 7
The orange and peach: Wearing Colour, Page 8
The bright and pale blue: Wearing Colour, Page 9
And the yellow: outfits? The colours all sit happily together in the scarf so why not as Wearing Colour, Page 10
Starting with the taupe it could be worn on it s own as in the first outfit below. Then mixing it with other neutrals the chocolate and soft white and finally with the blues and the orange. Here are some more combinations to inspire you: Wearing Colour, Page 11
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What do you think? If you would like help in creating a wardrobe in the right colours for you get in touch. Have some fun mixing up colour getting dressed shouldn t be boring Wearing Colour, Page 13
Which Colour Dominant Are you? Light Light women have fair hair, light blonde or white, they have light blue or green eyes and porcelain skin, their overall appearance is delicate. Deep Deep women have dark brown to black hair, dark brown eyes and skin that could be dark or pale. Their overall look is strong. Wearing Colour, Page 14
Warm There will be some evidence of red or auburn in your hair. It may be in a colour range from the lightest strawberry blonde to rich dark auburn. You may have blue, green or brown eyes. There may be lots of freckles but it's always the auburn hair you see first Their overall look is golden. Cool Cool women will have sliver or ash blonde hair and sometimes black, she has blue or grey eyes, and pink cheeks, there is an absence of warm to her skin. Their overall look is cool and steely. Wearing Colour, Page 15
Bright/Clear The bright woman will have medium to dark brown hair, their eyes will be bright blue or green and a dominant feature, their skin will be pale and fresh looking. Their overall look has a lot of contrast between the pale skin dark hair and bright jewel like eyes. Muted/Soft You are neither a Light type nor a Deep type. You may describe your own colouring as 'mousy'. You will have neither very blonde nor the darkest of brown hair. Your eyes will vary from brown to hazel, grey green and blue grey. Your overall look is muted and rich. Their overall look is blended, with no great contrast between the hair, eyes and skin. Wearing Colour, Page 16
If you would like a personalised colour analysis check out the Colour Dossier Service And get lots more tips on how to wear colour here www.lookingstylish.co.uk Wearing Colour, Page 17