So, should I be panic-buying loads of coral coloured stuff or what?

[TattyDevine]

Right so I got my colours done on the weekend (!) and I'm a bright/clear spring and to cut a long story short one of my really good colours is that pinky orange/coral that is about a lot at the moment, or flamingo pink, or a peachy pink. Coral, basically, is what it tends to be called.

Since then I've seen shedloads of coral coloured stuff about, much of it in the sale or about to be. Its possibly passed me by before now but I suspect it has been one of the season's "fashionable" colours - or is it always about of a summertime?

Anyways. I've never been attracted to it on the hanger particularly but it does make me look 10 years younger and light up my face and make my eyes pop out in a good way and generally make me look like there's life in the old girl yet. Obviously there are lots of other colours that also looked good but none of them quite made the lady draping me and her other victim client's jaws drop to the floor quite so much

So is it a temporary thing, will this colour dissapear for approximately a decade till it comes back in again, or is it always about a bit in the summertime? If not, I guess I should buy a few key pieces in the size I ought to be my size?

My 1 and 2 ** colours -

** colours at 100%

Bright navy
Tangerine
Coral
Geranium
Flamingo Pink
Kerry & apple Green
Corn Yellow
Violet
Bright blue
Turquoise

• at 100% Cream

Shops I've found good for spring colours in the past year: Hobbs, Matthew Williamson Butterfly at Debenhams, White stuff, Monsoon. Has anyone tried dyeing their existing clothes? I've got loads of good white t shirts, but obv they are now outlawed.

yours are similar to mine opal and you have less at 100% than the others do (like I do). i wonder if that's a paintbox spring thing?

I've just bought a load of dylon to turn some clothes navy, and some cream dye to turn my white shirts cream. I got some chocolate brown too. [/autumn]

Yeah, I noticed that Cake, I reckon you are right about paintbox springs. At least there are a couple of neutrals to work with, but not as many as you. Am at all your neutrals! Good luck with the dyeing Kate, let us know how it goes.

Cake I'm really not sure about Sienna Miller - I've seen pictures of her looking every inch the natural ingenue, but she also has a bit of a gamine look to me. It's difficult with actresses as they play so many roles and easily switch from one 'type' to another all the time. I think someone earlier on described Kate Moss as an ingenue gamine.

I think I sometimes veer towards natural myself, but probably textures are what will distinguish you from another type - crochet, fluffy knits, beading obv, maybe a bit of fringing. I'm sure your hair makes a difference as well.

I do know what you mean about the analogies - I was a bit when told I was a Cinderella.

i'd trade all my neutrals for a few more brights. we're prob getting at bit hung up on this whole 100% thing anyway tho as it's not that often we'll wear 100% of a colour.

those of you who have had style day - how hard/easy do you find it to buy things in your style AND colour? and how strictly do you stick to it?

i thought i'd bought some perfect things yday but had a so-so reply back from my consultant on them

Can't find the book with the names, just the colour swatches that I have hand marked with stars. Basically as a blue spring I am almost the same as you tatty.

Top colors are the blues, corals and pinks, purple, green and reds. Grey and pale lemon the worst.

Suits and trousers are a bit difficult. I tend to go for jeans or navy/brown or even black/grey trousers when I need to.

I do sometimes try to dye clothes a bright colour which does work well although you have to put up with the cotton stitching staying white often.

As a natural classic I do find the style thing fairly straightforward nowadays although it took a bit of getting used to. I just think Ralph Lauren or Polo and avoid anything too pretty or frilly. Of course I sometimes get it wrong still but do look my best when I follow the rules.

natural classic sounds a good combo whatswrong i bet mere mortals quake at your polished ralph laurenishness

i've marked my 1 and 2 stars in my swatch book but wasn't sure whether to go any lower than stars at 100% as it all got a bit less scientific imo after that point. very subjective to the consultant on the day. plus i think my 'own' makeup changes things somewhat - eg i'm certain choc brown does wonders for me (2 ticks at 100%) when i have my makeup on

did you do the dye kate?

oh and my cons said this about sienna and kate:

Sienna Miller ? too sexy for Ing Nat probably got some Romantic in there instead of the Natural
Kate Moss ? features too hard to carry of the innocence of Ingénue.

not sure i agree with her but i guess she's the expert

Finding things in the right colour and style is proving tricky, so much so that there are some items like a coat that I have been looking for for so long I am tempted to just go for colour alone. But for things like tops it has been easy, I seem able to find v neck tops in most of my colours, and the difference in the way I look is massive when I do go for things in my style. There are so many things to remember when shopping tho that its is hard, when you add in body type, that fact I am petite, colours and natural romantic, and staying fashion forward!

Good to hear you've had success with the dyeing, Happy, might give that a go when I get some dye. Interesting about the makeup, Cake, I hadn't noticed that myself, but I will see if it makes any difference to which colours work.

I think also it's easy to get a bit hung up on finding the perfect item of clothing in the right style and colour, while forgetting what you wear everyday has the most impact, and as long as it's in the right colours will be better than black, iykwim. (must take own advice and chuck out black coat emoticon)

Well, I'm just amazed (and half hour late for work too but hey, it's all in the name of style). I tried to dress as close as I could to my style and colours for work today (albeit using mostly clothes I've already got so colours aren't spot-on) I look so much younger, miles slimmer, and everything looks more expensive.

I actually was intending to wear a new (perfect) bright blue top from monsoon which my consultant had dissed for the 'frill' being too big for me so more suited to romantics. I decided to rebel and wear it anyway but... I felt like a fairy elephant despite the colour being so great.

So I ditched the top and then wore the following (colours are my own names for them cos I don't have book with me):

Non-bulky caramel tweed jacket
Uber-cute frilled oatmeal cardi
Chocolate, textured trousers
Lighter brown t-shirt
Chocolate suede-effect non-chunky boots
Gold bangle (too big apparently but need to get a new one)
Gold antique-look charm necklace
Gold antiquey looking stud earrings
Terracotta beads (felt like I needed to mix it up a bit and add some more colour)

Cardi and beads aside, I could have worn all of this together before but would have never thought to before the style day.

I now totally get why I drooled over the twee-country look in the Joules catalogue!

Cake natural classic would be a fab combo - but I'm a classic ingenue! Think it was Ifyou'rehappy who mentioned RL etc. Think I might agree with your consultant re Sienna Miller; as I said, I've seen pics if her rocking the upswept loose hairdo and textured cute dress, but there's something 'knowing' about her look. She does seem to love the boho thing, though, so there may be some natural in there as well.

I find I struggle with a few things, too, especially in the winter. Finding non-black boots which are pretty is almost an impossibility, and if you live in the country like me (or in fact, anywhere in the UK with our miserable weather), you can't go tripping around in suede kitten heeled ankle boots < bitter experience >. Coats as well - maybe we should share links we see that might suit any others here? Last winter I found a blue coat in a perfect shape from New Look, of all places. I know it's hardly a stayer, but it did was a good shape and colour. Hopefully I'll be able to find a better-quality version this year.

But I just accept now that sometimes you have to compromise, and as long as the rest of your appearance complies with your type you can't go too far wrong. And sometimes you just like something, let's face it. I have lost count of the times I've come back empty-handed from shopping trips, but it's getting better.

Sounds lovely Cake - that you can wear tweed!

Cake, that outfit sounds great, all the spring colours, but with an autumnal, appropriate for the season vibe! Great idea to do links, whatswrong, I've just ordered some boots and shoes from (sshhhhhh) Boden. But Boots are probably too clunky for you. Will report back when they arrive. never done links before, so will try now... I may be some time!

these boden Navy ballet shoes

these boots in mocha and this navy bag, these Boden boots in navy Will report back when they arrive.

Bloomin heck. I posted much earlier on this thread and am amazed to see how much it has grown (and also how many bright springs there are on MN!). Also amazed by how many people have also had their style done. I've thought about it but am a bit scared as I've spent the last 4 years getting things in the right colours that I don't want to find out that they are all in the wrong style? Haven't read all of the posts but just wondered how many have ended up wearing completely different styles after the style day?

I've also realised that I haven't worn my one black cardigan (which I couldn't bring myself to throw out) for months, favouring the navy one instead. Might take the plunge and ditch it.

I am dreading winter though as I really need some new jumpers etc and it's virtually impossible to find these in my 2 star colours - bright yellow, coral, turquoise. I also need new boots and really want red or green but as WWWY said finding anything but black is a challenge unless you want to spend a fortune. If anyone finds any please post a link.

birdy, how about this yellow jumper ?yellow cashmere bargain

This pashmina in spring green is nice too green pashmina

Hello,

When you have your colours done what do they give you? Do you get swatches of fabrics? Donthey tell you what style of clothes to wear as well?

Thank you Opalmum for that link - I just bought that!

Birdy, I wouldn't worry about that too much - if most of your wardrobe is in the right palette that's a great starting point to gradually add more things that are suited to your style. The consultants know that not many of us can go out and buy a complete new wardrobe from scratch, and the fact that most people are a mix of two 'types' means you can pretty much adapt everything you already have.

I know, for me, the eradication of loose linen trousers was key (some would sayvital to anyone, actually ), but if I wore a pretty blouse with them or a lace-trimmed vest I could still feel like 'myself' but knowing that I wouldn't replace them when I chucked them out they wore out.

I suppose my overall style is a lot different, in that I feel I've been given permission to indulge my girlie side, but that doesn't mean everything I wear from head to foot has to have a frill or bow - you still need things like basic trousers and tips for layering, it's what you add to them that distinguishes your own style.

Like your stuff, Opal - I have several pairs of chunky boots which I'm afraid do come out in the winter for practicalities' sake, but I'm working on their eradication!

Oh, and for red/green boots, have you tried www.shopstyle.co.UK ? You can tailor your search to price range/style/colour - it can be addictive though!