Color Analysis in Fashion
Color Analysis entered the fashion world in 1978 with the publication of the popular Color Me Beautiful book by Carole Jackson, and is all about finding the colors that best compliment our skin tone.
Having your “colors done” became the thing to do where I lived in the early 1980s. At that time I had a 5-year-old and was expecting my 2nd baby. It was all I could do to find time to get dressed, much less have to worry about whether or not I was wearing the right colors.
After my life settled down a bit, I did seek out a consultant, had an analysis, and discovered that I am a Spring. I was given a foldable color palette packet for reference, to carry with me when I went shopping. All these years later (nearly 40!), I still carry that palette in my purse.
The thing is… I don’t always look at it. And that was been my “wardrobe downfall.” Although I look my best in the colors in my palette, I am not naturally drawn to them. I find myself gravitating to pastels, which make me feel more comfortable. Pastels don’t say “LOOK at me!” like the bright colors in my Spring palette do. But, I admit, when I do purchase something within my palette, I do look better, and that makes me feel better.
Over the past weeks, I’ve been re-organizing my closet, and part of that process has led me to cull the clothes that don’t suit me. It’s not easy, but I’m trying to stay on track.
I have to face the fact that if I don’t feel good in what I’m wearing or how I look, even around the house, it does affect me.
How about you? Did you ever have a color analysis? And, if so, do you follow it when making clothing purchases? Have you had to get rid of clothes in your wardrobe because of their color? I’m open to any tips on how to make this process go more smoothly. Although I don’t put much importance on clothes, it does seem I am attached to some more than I should be. It’s those soft, cozy ones that are giving me so much trouble.
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I have never heard of doing a color analysis before and I am 72! Where have I been? But, I am a weird one, I don’t like getting dressed anyway. I mostly stay at home and in my nightgowns (I hate a a bra)! I will get dressed to go out and go right back to the night gowns when I get home. When I worked, everything had to match, clothes, jewelry, nails, etc. I have a hard time looking back on that and seeing that was the way I was then. I always wore darker colors for slacks and multi colored anything for tops. My dresses, when I wore them were basically dark with a lighter pattern. Personally, I tend to favor blues in clothes. I’d say 80% of anything I wear is blue. I’m not a light pastel person and I absolutely hate pink! Scrapbooking makes me use it sometimes – LOL But, in decorating my home, it is earth tones all the way. I love oranges and rusts and they tend to be my favorite in scrapbooking too! I never thought about color before and how it has effected my life. I just did what I liked. Fascinating article Karen!
LOl! I think many of us look back and wonder who we were back “when.” 🙂 Nothing wrong with you wearing your nightgowns. Be comfy! I am obsessed with 32 degree clothing right now, as it is so soft and comfy!
I have the identical swatch booklet. And yes – up until about a year ago, I too had it in my purse. It was debatable whether or not I took it out. Sometimes I did. But now, I find with grey hair and the change in my complexion (72years worth of wear and tear!) it’s all out the window anyway! But boy – did that swatch book bring back some memories – padded shoulders and all! LOL