Stylist on the Street

Limit your colour choices for more outfit combinations

If you've treated yourself to a professional colour analysis then you'll know exactly what colours suit you. You'll have a set of colour swatches that defines what looks good against your complexion and ensures you always look healthy and radiant. Great, Fantastic, you know what you should be buying and shopping becomes easy - Well yes and no...let me expand further.
Your colour analysis should provide you with a swatch of about 30-40 colours that suit you. I recommend that you narrow that down considerably. Consider the following:

• What do I actually like?
  Just because a colour suits your complexion it doesn't necessarily mean you like it. Take a good look a the colours that suit you and decide which ones you really like. Do step outside of what you normally would wear and try something new, but you have to feel comfortable in your clothes to look good so think about which colours make you happy.
  
• What is available this season?
  Your favorite colours will not always be in the shops. Each season different schemes of colours may be "in" and readily available. Check the seasonal offerings against your colour palette and choose what you is suitable for you on a seasonal basis.
  
• What is practical for my lifestyle?
  Consider your job and your lifestyle. Darker colours may be a necessity out of practicality because you have small children or perhaps work in a formal environment.
  
  Now here's how to make your colours really work for you.
  Taking into consideration the above points each season choose no more that 2-3 colours to buy clothes in each season. (colours not neutrals!). By choosing a narrower colour range it will be easier to mix and match. You will be able to coordinate outfits much more easily with accessories. Mix these colours with the neutrals that you should already have as part of your capsule wardrobe and mix them together for a more vibrant fun look. Seek out patterned clothes containing those colours too. Accessories in your chosen colours are vital to bring the look together.

The following season reevaluate. Are you still loving those colours? Are they still available in the shops? Are they still working for you? If so keep buying your colours, otherwise review your colour swatches and choose another scheme.
Happy ShoppingSharon Connolly

Please feel free to pass on or use the information contained within this document as long as the author is given credit.