1. I know what color looks good on me.
Most people know at least one or two colors that look good on them. But they don't realize how many more colors or variations of the color could also work. A personal color analysis consultation also provides strategies for how to combine colors, how to incorporate individual preferences and styles and what colors to avoid.
"Thank you so much, I had a blast! This completely changed the way I look at clothing and jewelry and gave me instruction book on how to dress and accessorize myself!"
2. I will have to wear color all the time.
As a culture we are afraid of color. We don't want to stand out especially when we are not certain which colors suit us. There are also days when we don't feel like wearing colorful clothing. That's ok! One of the most helpful aspects to a personal color analysis is that it also identify's the neutrals - the grays, white, browns, tans, blacks, navy, metallics and other basic colors that are the building block pieces for a wardrobe. A closet filled with the right neutrals is better than a closet filled with the wrong colors. At least 25% of my closet is shirts, pants, skirts, shoes, jackets in my Light Summer taupe, gray and white. I wear them more than any one color in my closet.
"I found the information on what neutrals to wear one of the most helpful aspects of the color analysis. It was like getting permission to not be "on" all the time but not look drab while I am not dressing in color either."
3. I will be told I can't wear black or another favorite color.
Black is a color that harmonizes with a large percentage of the population's natural coloring. And for many people it is a huge asset in their wardrobe. When it harmonizes with your natural coloring it is flattering and should be embraced. When it doesn't harmonize it can bring you down emotionally and make you look tired, dull, drab and out of balance with you. Depending on the results of the consultation, black will be incorporated or a strategy for adding alternatives will be formulated.
"Yesterday, I wore an outfit that has always been in my closet, but I never previously thought to put the clothes/items together in that way Rather than my Cool Summer essence "limiting" me, it actually expanded my clothing selections."
4. I will have to spend a fortune to create a whole new wardrobe.
This is always the biggest fear a partner has when their mate is off for a color analysis. In reality, the realization comes quickly that we spend less when shopping, we like the things we own better so are less likely to keep going out shopping hoping to fix closet issues and we can create so many more outfits when the closet is coordinated that the savings start to add up quickly.
"I just wanted to tell you how much money I am saving by not buying just anything. You have really made me stop and think before I buy."
5. Getting my colors done will limit my choices.
People usually are shocked by how the color analysis expands their options rather than being more limiting. Most of us are aware of at least one or two colors that we know we look good in but we have no idea that there are ranges of nearly all basic colors that look amazing too. Even those people who tell me in the midst of the consultation that they would never wear a particular color will come back months down the road and tell me they tried it and now actually love wearing green, or purple, or the scariest color of all, yellow!
"Through your inspiration, I already made a run to a local consignment shop and bought several tops in colors I never would have considered. I am amazingly happy!"
6. A personal color analysis is only for those who are into fashion and shopping.
This is a huge myth. My most loyal and dedicated clients are those who really aren't interested in fashion and find shopping cumbersome and overwhelming. These people find the simplicity and the structure of working with a seasonal color palette seamless and reassuring. They enjoy shopping more and don't feel ashamed of their natural comfy style or their lack of interest in trends. They now enjoy getting dressed every day without the lack of confidence.
"Everyone needs to hear about this - especially guys - because we don't think too deep about it and believe me, some of us really need some help! Thank you!”
7. I will need to start dressing like friends or fashion models.
Each client is unique. While their coloring may fall within one of the 12 seasonal tones, there is variety in the coloring and each persons personality, lifestyle and budget will mean that they will utilize the colors differently. A personal color analysis consultation at Indigo Tones is very comprehensive and takes into consideration all of those factors. The goal is to reveal to the client as much about who they are and their authentic qualities so that it becomes easier to avoid trends, one size fits all strategies and bad advice from anyone who encourages you to be anyone other than yourself.
"It was life changing. I remember leaving your studio and feeling a bit dazed at the thought of not wearing black. Now I have a closet full of light summer colors to work with. It’s helped me dress more age appropriate, and I don’t have to try so hard to look good."
8. I will be told that I have been wearing all the wrong colors for years.
Yes, we do learn in a personal color analysis that many of the colors we previously wore didn't work but a color consultation is about the future. How exciting to find something new and fresh that will bring us closer to understanding ourselves. There are so few opportunities in life that a simple, natural, a one time investment that lasts a lifetime. And life starts in the present moment!
"I should have flown to Rochester, NY to see you years ago!"
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It’s a treat to introduce you to this month's colorful lives feature, Soft Autumn Tim Stich who is also my son!! Tim’s experience with shopping for clothing and wearing color is unique as I become a color analyst when he was quite young. When he and his sister Clare were little, I tried dressing them in bright colors with strong patterns as was the style then.....but even before learning about personal color harmony, I started to sense that the clothes overwhelmed them and began dressing them in softer colors and solids. I was even shocked the other day to discover when I pulled out his school photos that every single photo (even before I learned of his color palette) was taken in a Soft Autumn color. You can see how his life has evolved wearing the soft, earthy colors that suit his ruddy hair, freckles and soft blue/green eyes.
Over the years, he has mostly been very eager to wear what suits him and looked to me to help him distinguish soft autumn colors from the two seasons nearby - warm autumn and soft summer. We enjoy shopping together, especially now that he lives in Manhattan and the shopping is abundant. It can be a challenge to find his colors in sizes and style that fit but when its perfect, it feels great and he knows it. Read on to learn more about what it’s like to be a guy whose mom is a color consultant!
I am so excited to introduce you the “entertainingly irreverent” (Associated Press) Soft Summer, Valerie Peterson. Valerie is an extraordinary storyteller in a variety of media including scriptwriting, screenplays, fiction, non-fiction and book publishing/consulting. I analyzed her colors years ago in Rhode Island at a girls weekend hosted by a mutual friend (color analysis and girls weekends make a great combo!). In the years since, Valerie has embraced her Soft Summer colors in spite of living and working in New York City where black is a standard and practical.
It was a thrill when her publisher chose a photo of my family for her wonderfully spirited book, Peterson’s Happy Hour. On page 46, you can find me with my family - brothers, Mike and Tim and my parents Marcia and J. Michael Jones circa 1970. The book features many more photographic gems and recipes for a fabulous social gathering!
In this month’s colorful lives blog, Valerie shares her journey with her color palette. As with all her writing projects, she is humorous, colorful and entertaining! She has kept in great condition and still uses the Sci Art swatch book that I provided back in those days!! Be sure to check out her large body of work on valeriepeterson.net and read more in the blog:
While doing color analysis in Boston in June, I had the pleasure of meeting Danielle Burton and giving her a 12-Season Color Analysis. Danielle had recently experienced a 4-Season Color Analysis with a House of Colour consultant and was told she was a Winter. I was skeptical that she was any type of Winter (in the 12 season system, there are actually 3 Winters - Dark Winter, Cool Winter and Bright Winter). Her light eyes, natural lighter and soft brownish hair and skin tone were much more consistent with my clients who fall into the lighter seasons, especially Summer.
Since her hair had been highlighted, we covered it with a neutral gray cap to do the testing portion of the analysis, ensuring that the lighter color did not sway the results of the analysis. It was clear from the beginning that Danielle was responding more harmoniously to the cool tones even some of the lighter cool winter drapes which was consistent with her 4 season color analysis.
But, while she contrasted with any drapes that were dark and bright, she was softened and balanced by the lighter cool tones, particularly Summer. The dark colors brought out shadows under her eyes and the brighter colors overwhelmed her and brought attention to themselves. In the end, she looked lovely and perfectly balanced and harmonious in the Cool Summer colors!
"While I had a great experience at House of Colour, I do think they are missing out on a ton of research and color science by not including the 12 seasons and variants. The added layer of cool vs bright vs dark was a huge difference for me and really solidified which category I best fit”.
Enjoy reading more about Danielle’s experience with both systems and her reaction to her diagnosis as a Cool Summer:
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