Thursday 9 January 2014

My colour dilemma

Do you find yourself drawn to certain colours? I do and they tend to be bright shades, which doesn't make life easy if you then realise that they just don't flatter your colouring. Last year I bought a coral jacket from the Wallis on-line store.  I tried it on when it arrived and I thought that it looked fine on me - that's my husband's favourite word, by the way. When asked for his opinion about a new item of clothing, inevitably he says that it looks "fine".  I tried the jacket on in August when my hair had been tinted a golden shade by the sun, and my freckles were showing up too, so I think that helped me look "fine" in it!

When I went for my colour analysis session in October I fully expected to be told that I was one of the warmer seasons and was somewhat surprised when I discovered that I was a Winter. There is nothing remotely like coral in the wallet of my best colours!  Should I throw out my coral jacket? This is my dilemma.

Today's challenge in the New Year Style Challenge is all about colour and includes advice on how to wear colours that don't really flatter you.  Maybe this will provide a solution to my dilemma?


The idea is that, if you wear any unflattering colours, to also wear colours that do flatter you and these should be close to your face, such as a necklace or scarf. It's unfortunate that the unflattering colour in this instance is the colour of a jacket, which is also close to my face. Perhaps I can get away with wearing the jacket if I wear the black t-shirt and dark grey trousers shown above with it, and this scarf around my neck?

I could also wear the jacket with navy or other shades of blue that I know suit me.


My blue bead necklace would contrast well with the jacket, or maybe the cobalt scarf below would help distract attention away from the bright coral colour.
Apart from its colour this jacket was a good buy, as it is in a petite size and it fits me well, so I'm reluctant to part with it. What do you think? Do you have any clothes, particularly tops, that aren't in colours that flatter you? If they are perfect for you in every other way, would wearing your best colours near your face allow you to keep the offending garment and be confident that you look good in it?

8 comments:

  1. Just thinking about this issue today! I have tops which flatter me as far as shape but not so much in color. I just got one top that looked mostly pink online but has some orange around the shoulders--and orange is horrible on me. But, I also got a pink scarf for Christmas and I can drape it to cover/distract from the orange bits.

    I also needed a travel top--something that could withstand being slept in on the plane--and could only find coral. Now, coral is on the verge of OK for me, so this is not ideal, but it's bright/colorful enough that my husband can find me a crowd and it's comfy.

    But pretty much, if the color is just plain wrong but the fit is perfect, I wear it. Sometimes I'll donate it after wearing it a while.

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    1. Robin, I have to agree that if you find something that fits perfectly it seems a shame not to wear it, and it sounds as if you've found a good solution with your pink scarf.

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  2. I fall into the "winter" category, where stark black and white are supposed to be okay colors. Yet, I look quite washed out in black. I tried with my capsule for the 10 piece challenge to add it in and I'm just not crazy about it. I'm going to stick to my brights just because they make me happy. I've already put the offending black pieces in the donate box.

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    1. I was first told that I was a "Winter" over 25 years ago, but found that many of the colours (especially the icy shades) weren't flattering. This time round I was expecting to find that I had changed seasons now I'm well over 60, so was surprised when I found out that I hadn't. My consultant said that the jewel tones were my best colours (yes!!!) and gave me a chart making it clear which colours looked best on me and the percentage I could wear. Black didn't make 100%, though I wore a black sequinned dress to a party last week and received lots of compliments. Maybe because the sequins stopped it being too stark, plus I wore a silver necklace.

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  3. My feeling about the color analysis is "tools not rules." If you love the jacket otherwise and can make it work with other items in your closet, then wear and enjoy!

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    1. I'm the first to say that some rules are meant to be broken! I agree that tools like colour analysis are there to offer guidance only. I'm sure that the jacket will work if I wear scarves etc in my best colours.

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  4. It is so rare to find a garment that really flatters (at least in my case) that I am all about trying to make the item work! Several years ago I found a gorgeous, flattering coat. It was a petite size and I had my friend alter the sleeves to a perfect fit for me. It is black.

    Cut to a few years later and I found my coloring is Soft Autumn. Black is supposed to be one of the worst colors for me! And I do have to agree. But ... I cannot give up my coat as it could make sweatpants look presentable!

    I decided that I'd wear it with a camel/toffee colored shirt, scarf, trousers and sometimes a hat too! Supposedly this trick will "warm up" the offending color. Now I may not be the best judge here, but I think I look pretty good!

    Karen

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  5. Karen, I'm totally in agreement with you. If something fits you well it seems a shame to discard it only because the colour isn't perfect. It sounds as if you have managed to transfer your coat into a really flattering outfit with the right accessories. I'm hoping that I can do the same!

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