PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COLOUR ANALYSIS?

Have you ever seen someone and thought they look particularly radiant and stunning?

Well, that could be because of the colours they are wearing!

Indeed, the colours we wear through an outfit, whether it is clothing and accessories, make-up and jewellery, have the power to either enhance or drain your appearance, it all depends if we wear colours that complement our features or not.

And the truth is, we all want to look our best, no matter whether we’re popping to brunch with friends, heading to a meeting, or sitting for a virtual interview. And this is where colours can come to play.

I love seeing the quick transformation the right colours can make for my clients. While, of course, I would say that, as a personal stylist that specialises in colours, I’d love to challenge you to pick up some colours in your wardrobe and really look at what they do for your skin tone.

Do they make your complexion bright? Perhaps they make your eyes pop and your skin look healthier somehow? Or do they somehow make you look pale, or even accentuate wrinkles and dark circles? (which, of course, we don’t want!).

This is the power of knowing the right colours for you!  And a Colour Analysis (or as we call them at One of a Style a Colour Clinic) can help you find the right palette of colours that will make you feel and look your best, every day.

What are the benefits of a colour analysis?

Make shopping easier

After a Colour Clinic with us, you will be given a pack of your own hand-picked colours in a wallet that you can just pop in your handbag.

This selection of colours will be your go-to reference that you can quickly pick out from the racks every time you go shopping. This way, you’ll be able to confidently pick out your colours, saving you time and money.

Know the colours that go together

Not only will you now be able to shop more effectively, you will also be able to mix and match colours that work together! Your palette will have your neutrals as well as the standout colours within your selection. This will help you more effectively put together outfits that work, rather than wondering if certain colours will pair well.

With the neutrals you will be able to bring in one other colour from your palette and know it will complement the base colour within your outfit.

Not only clothes

Within our Colour Clinic, we provide also advice on how to “wear” your best colour through make-up, hair, jewellery and accessories, as clothing is not the only way to wear colours, besides many of our clients admit that they feel confident with wearing black or neutrals (and confidence, for us, is what personal styling is about!). This additional element of our Colour Clinics have been created so you can walk away knowing which shades to select in every aspect of your personal style.

When you walk away from one of our Colour Clinic, you will have had professional and insightful support throughout your session. You will be able to confidently walk away knowing that people will wonder why you seem to shine in every outfit!

If you’d like to boost your confidence when dressing, and save yourself time, stress, and money when shopping for clothes and make-up, or when going to the hairdresser, please get in touch to arrange a Colour Clinic with us.

COLOUR ANALYSIS: THE 18 SEASONS METHOD AND HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR COLOURS

As a personal stylist, colour is one of the most important parts of my work with my clients. Colour can completely transform how our skin looks in dramatic ways, and I use my colour analysis service to do this for my clients. We work together to discover their seasons, and the colours that they can gravitate towards to help them feel their best whenever they next go shopping.

Now, when I talk about the “seasons” you may be thinking – well there are just 4, right? Well, there are 4 main seasons and then their underlying notes which in fact makes it 18!

Don’t worry – you don’t have to know all of them, for you, you just need to know which one is the best aligned to your skin tones and therefore the colours that match you best.

I wanted to share a few insights into the colour analysis method, and help you dip your toe into discovering the colours that best suit you, but of course, if you’d like to have the knowledge of the colours that help you feel most confident, I’d be delighted to help.

Let’s dive in!

The four main seasons in a colour analysis

Before we dive deeper into the palette that work best with you, we need to find out the general features that characterize every season, and that you can find in yourself, and your natural colours:

Spring

Springs have a warmer undertone, with bright and light features. They are actually just like spring – bright, varied, and with strong colours working well for them. However, they need to stay clear of muted, dark and colours with cool undertones, as these will take away from their features.

Best metals: yellow gold and rose gold

One of my Spring clients.

Summer

Summers have a cool undertone with soft, and once again light features. Think soft brown or blonde hair, your classic beachy boho tones with cooler features. Colours that work beautifully on summers are pastels, softer tones, and mother-of-pearl shades. Nothing too vivid, harsh, or strong in terms of colours should be worn by Summers as it can wash them out.

Best metals: silver (possible antique) and platinum/white gold

One of my Summer clients.

Autumn

Autumns have deep and warm undertones, and soft contrasts. Think of all the beautiful colours you see in Autumn and these are the tones that work best on this type. Whether it’s deep greens, oranges, or the reds you see as the leaves turn – these colours should be welcomed in your wardrobe, while brighter and cooler colours should be passed by.

Best metals: gold (possibly antique) and copper

One of my Autumn clients.

Winter 

Winters have the cooler undertones with deep and bright tones. Winters do not just have lighter skin and bright eyes, they are often with olive skin and dark hair, but the contrasting features are the most obvious to spot when it comes to winters. Colours that work beautifully on winters are bright icy greens, blues, blacks and even many shades of pink, from fuchsia to sorbet pink. You can also step towards the wintery colours of deep purple and emerald green.

Best metals: silver and white gold

 One of my Winter clients.

The 18 sub-seasons of a colour analysis

Now we know the 4 main seasons we use for a colour analysis we can jump even deeper into the undertones we have.

Let’s be honest – we all have a range of skin tones, hair and eye colours, and therefore, putting us into just 4 options is restrictive. That’s why we have more options to help me discover the truly perfect matches for my clients.

The way I do this is through using the subgroups of each season:

·       Spring: Light, Warm or True, Bright

·       Summer: Light, Cool or True, Soft

·       Autumn: Deep, Warm or True, Soft

·       Winter: Deep, Cool or True, Bright

So while three different people may all belong to the same season, they might have different colourings, different level of contrasts and hue. Think of Jodie Foster, Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet, all summers but with different palettes. And this happens with all the 4 seasons, and these sub-seasons help us discover the specific palettes that will be the most appropriate for your skin tones, which is not just clothes, it includes accessories, make-up, hair colour (should you wish to change it!), and jewellery.

Now this way we have 12 main groups of colours. Then why do I say I work with 18 seasons? Now things get really complicated, I know. the thing is, while (based on my experience) the majority of people fit in one specific sub-season, others can have a mix of features (ie. Warm skin undertone but cool eyes and hair, or warm hair but cool eyes and skin undertone) or a predominance of one particular characteristic (i.e “warm”) that place them in between two seasons. These are so-called “neutrals”, and they can be:

• Spring/Summer (or Summer/Spring)

• Summer/Autumn (or Autumn/Summer)

• Autumn/Winter (or Winter/Autumn)

• Winter/Spring (or Spring/Winter)

• Autumn/Spring (or Spring/Autumn)

• Winter/Summer (or Summer/Winter)

Why is that? There can be varied reasons: some people can inherit a mix of features from parents/family members and have in them a balanced mix of those, which provides them with a wider range of opportunities in terms of which colours suit them; others can experience a transitional phase due to ageing, when hair naturally change, as well as the skin and the eye colours (getting softer), and this makes them shift from a brighter season (for instance) to a softer one.

It truly is transformative – and while I would say that because I love my job – it is always so wonderful to hear from my clients when they see the transformations in front of them, saving themselves wasted money on shopping trips with clothes they just don’t suit, and make-up that they love to put on.

Colour can bring us joy, change our mood, and as you can see, transform how we shine! I hope this insight into what goes into a colour analysis and the depth we go to so you can discover your best colours was beneficial! If you’d like to know more or book your own colour clinic, I’d love to help.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: TOP WAYS TO ADD COLOUR TO YOUR WINTER OUTFITS

We all tend to wear darker colours in winter, and it is true that in fashion it can be tricky to find bright colours during the winter months, but wearing our colours is something that we should always do, so how to do that?

Whether you are looking to embrace colour in new ways into your wardrobe, or are a colour-lover and want some on-trend colours to add to your collection, this article will help bring some fun & colour to the grey months of winter!

Colour trends for 2021

While I don’t condone following trends flippantly, when it comes to finding the colours that may inspire you to add some new options to your winter wardrobe that will bring fun & personality to your day to day outfits, discovering new colours through the trends we see can be a good way to get started! Here are a few of my favourite colour trends for Autumn/Winter 2021 to try!

Yellows for Winter

One of the brightest and most fun-filled colours, yellow, was a big hit on catwalks for Moschino, Marc Jacobs, and even Dior were showcasing this fun colour on their Fall/Winter 2021 shows.

Yellow can be a tricky colour to work with depending on your season (the colour group you fall into depending on your skin tone), so look out for the yellows that work for you. From sherbet yellow shoes, to designer bright yellow suits, you’ll be dancing as if you were basking in sunshine in this colour!

Pink hues to try out

Pink is a great colour (for those who like it) and it really is a fun, upbeat colour with a huge range of different shades and tones – whether it’s an incredible shocking pink dress or baby pink bags – add this quirky fun colour to your winter wardrobe to feel a touch of brightness.

Jewel Tones – Purples and Greens

The jewel tones of previous years continue to be on-trend this Autumn/Winter and have packed the runways. These are accessible, easy to find, and will work throughout the seasons, when you choose the right tones for your skin. You can even go all out and clash the purple and green colours together to create a statement look. Try bringing a satin green skirt into your wardrobe, or a deep purple knitted jumper into your wardrobe to add the jewels to your outfit!

If you’d like to know which colours work for you, so you can try trends that will feel great, find out more about my Colour Analysis Services (available in person and online).

Start small – adding colour through accessories & jewellery

One of the most impactful parts of our wardrobes, that are often not invested in, are the accessories! You can transform an outfit with just a belt or a pair of shoes, you can elevate your brunch outfit ready for a date with just the addition of jewellery, and when it comes to adding colours these can be the quickest and most effective way to do it, particularly if you are new to colour.

Another great thing about using jewellery and accessories to add colour is that they are often work-appropriate no matter the office requirements.

Here are a few of my favourite colourful accessories and jewellery to add to your winter wardrobe to perk up your outfits and mindset, in a flash:

• Colourful earrings – earrings are a great start to adding colour, whether you’re just adding a little dash of colour through some colourful studs; some small hoops are a slightly greater option; or going all out with statement earrings, these can easily be added or taken away from an outfit.

• Statement bags – I am a lover of showing personality through my bags, and you really can have the whole spectrum of these excellent (and useful) accessories! Finding a colourful crossover body bag is a great option for day to day or running around, whereas if you go to the office regularly and are in the market for a new larger option with bags(!) of personality, why not get a colourful one?

• Upgrade your rings – yes, rings really are a way to add the finishing touches to your outfit and why not make them colourful and quirky? They can be anything from finding a colourful gemstone such as sapphire or emerald, or even full rainbow; to more original ideas that really make a statement! Just like all of these accessories, they are easy to take off if the occasion doesn’t call for them, so you can show off your personality as and when appropriate.

These are just a few of my favourite ways to help my clients dip their toes into adding colour to their outfits, and I hope they have inspired you to just get started by adding accessories or jewellery with a touch of colour this winter, however, now you’ve started on the colour train, let’s try out a few other ways!

Next Steps to Colour in Your Wardrobe – Your Coats!

Next steps to your colour freedom without feeling overwhelmed is with your coat. You can pop on a big blast of colour which, yes, may feel like a lot of colour at first, but the good news? You can keep it unbuttoned to show neutral tones underneath, and take it off when you arrive at your destination. What I love about adding colour with a coat or jacket is it is a statement – you will showcase your personality in a flash, but there is the ease of being able to take it off and be ready for meetings should you feel you have to stay in classic colours.

Consider light blues which work well with navy tones (and work into the monochrome trend, really well!), as a gentle start into colourful coat options; or you can try out a pink (also available in purple, and blue!) option to embrace the 2021 Winter trend! While if you love the autumnal colours and want to bring them into your wardrobe, you can try out a bright orange coat which really is a statement piece.

Consider the shapes of your coats and jackets, as well as the colours, as they play a huge part in the confidence we will feel when wearing them.

A little jump into colour - Knitwear

Now that the weather is so much colder, you may be considering investing in new knitwear and snuggly items to keep you warm, and if you are looking at the classic darker tones, greys, and deep browns, I would love to challenge you to find just one (or two) colourful knitwear items to play up your outfits.

This can feel like a big step, that’s why it’s my next step in my colour transformation for you – as it is shown in a much bigger block, but it can easily be removed, covered by a coat or jacket, and played down with neutrals, navy, and black on the bottom half and in your shirts or blouses so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

Play with the colours within your season as a part of your colour analysis, and if you haven’t got one of these handy go-tos for colour, put the colour next to your face and see how you feel about it alongside your skintone – while this isn’t the fool proof way to know your colours, it’s a good starting point to feeling your most confident in the colours you choose. Start with items that are going to be pieces you may take off when you get to work or meetings, or perhaps are your seeing friends outfit additions, so you can dip your toes into colour without feeling completely overwhelmed by it. Things like cardigans, cropped jumpers, or v-neck jumpers that have just the colour around the neckline, can be a good start.

These are just a few ways to add colour to your winter wardrobe if you are feeling unsure about adding colour through your traditional items of your outfit, such as trousers, shirts, and so on. I hope this has inspired you to add a spark of colour to your wardrobe, and if you are feeling unsure or overwhelmed about where to start, please get in touch about my colour analysis or personal styling services.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: THE GIFT OF (THE RIGHT) COLOUR

With the arrival of Spring, and lockdown being lifted, clothing brands are reacting with colour – and boy do we need it in our lives.

Something I love about what I do is helping my clients find clothes more enjoyable, with a focus on the colours that work beautifully for their skin, personal style, and personality.

So, what are the new trends in terms of colour, available to us during Spring 2021, and which colours can work best for you? Let’s dive in!

Ice cream sorbet colours

While we may only be in spring and ice cream may not be as enticing as in summer, ice-cream pastels have been a colour trend coming through fashion shows for 2021. As the name suggests, these colours have cool features, which means they work particularly well on people with cooler skin undertones.

From pinks to purples, these pallets are a great way into this fashion trend for summers and winters, depending mostly in the saturations of the hues, and will match amazingly well with silver! While if you believe, or you know, that your features are warm, but you’d still love to go for ice cream sorbet colours, don’t despair, you can find ways to “fix” them through a nice match with one of your best colours, especially neutrals (like browns, beiges, greys, navy blue..) that usually goes with pretty much everything.

Yellows

A perfect colour for welcoming the sun is yellow, and this softer hue is a gorgeous colour to embrace in your wardrobe if you want to dip your toe in bright colours without overwhelming yourself. However, be careful, yellow is not an easy colour to wear. I personally recommend this colour for lighter skin tones such as Spring and Summers. Try out the soft yellow tones with a scarf, or go all out with a comfortable spring-ready light jumper, or dress for brunch with your loved ones.

Whereas Autumns can opt for a more golden tone, or even mustard (that will be available too) and Winters may want to only wear soft yellows as an accessory rather than all over.

Monochromatic white

I love a monochrome outfit – using one colour or shades of the same colour – it can work beautifully for a pulled together, professional look. Spring/Summer 2021 appears to have fallen in love with white monochromatic outfits and this can be a stunning way to welcome a warmer season. Consider keeping the look clean and minimal, with a small number of accessories – like metals - both gold and silver work beautifully with white, one making it warmer and the other cooler, so it can be your way to make your monochromatic white outfit truly work for you.

White can be a difficult colour to wear though, and I recommend you opt for a cream if you think you have softer features, as it isn’t as harsh against your skin. While you can wear a bright white if you are a winter.

Try a stunning jumpsuit or go for separates with a lush suit that can make you feel powerful & professional.

Pretty in pink

With previous years showcasing neon hues of pink, 2021 seems to have embraced a more bubblegum shade, as well as lighter shades – and it can be a very fun colour to wear, for the right skin tones. With the multitude of shades, I recommend finding one that suits you and your personality. Light pinks can be beautiful on Springs and Summers, depending on the hue temperatures, whereas the brighter, shocking pink hues can stand up to Winters. Autumns need to stay on warmer and softer tones, like peaches and apricots.

The lighter pinks can work well with white and light denim, whereas darker shades of pink work really well with darker denim or even black. But if you have a more dramatic or creative style, you can have fun mixing pink with greens or blues in your outfits, like some celebrities are showing off proudly.

It can be a very girly colour, so if that is your style go all out and get yourself a beautiful pink dress and enjoy the spring sunshine!

Green Hues

If you are a vibrant colour fan, then this green trend is fantastic for you! If you are an Autumn, you can pick lime greens, which go fantastically with your skin tone, why not try a beautiful halter-dress for Spring to welcome the warmer weather with the green trend? You may gravitate to a flowy, lime green wrap dress (that is a little more on budget), or a lime green bag can be a less domineering step into the lime green trend. 

For Autumns and Winters, the darker green will work very well with your skin tone and I can suggest a structured strappy dress that will transition well into the Spring and Summer, if you are an abstract style of dresser. Whereas, for my Romantic Autumn and Winters a more flowy deep green dress with florals on it will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe.  This stunning Chloe bag in deep green is a great accessory to add to your wardrobe, for a green addition without having to dedicate to a full outfit, too. Whereas my Summers need to veer more towards the teal green tones, due to their colouring, like these leather trousers by PINKO, or this shirt from ASOS.

Vibrant orange

My final favourite colour in Spring/Summer 2021 fashion trends, is vibrant orange. We all need a pick me up, and this daring colour is wonderful for the soul. Different fashion houses have shared a multitude of tones, so expect our high streets to embrace orange too. Burnt orange is stunning against darker and warmer skin, whereas the brighter hues can be beautiful against Spring tones, who can try out this bright trend with a cardigan or jumper, or treat yourself to a perfect long sleeved orange dress.

For the burnt orange, an accessory like a bag or pair of heels can be very versatile (I’ve found a more budget-friendly replica on Asos here if you love those shoes!), or invest in a stunning silk shirt to work well on Zoom calls and when you go out to lunch with friends.

 Bonus – Colour match trend

Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the colours and unsure how to match them with your wardrobe? The stunning yellow colour works beautifully with caramels and browns, as well as your traditional yellows, and is becoming a trend among the fashion-conscious. It’s not a colour combination that has often been seen, so it’s perfect for those of you looking to be a trend-setter! The caramels and beiges in general also work beautifully with white, black, and other pastel tones so can be played with across outfits and seasons.

source: https://www.thetrendspotter.net/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2021/

If you want some help finding those perfect colours for you all year round, not just for a specific new trend, then get in touch, and we can organise a colour analysis or online personal style masterclass to suit your needs, personal style, and wardrobe.

Which colours were your favourite, that you’ll want to try out?