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?

less red than my hair then tatty?

am tempted re the dress but how viscosey does the fabric feel? does it seem like jersey or that rough feel that makes me think of breaking out in mammoth sweat rings (or is it just me?)

that's useful about prints clevery and dorothy - i think the prints i've pondered about so far would be ok.

dorothy i split my clothes by tops/dresses/skirts and then colours within those sections etc - do you mean then ordering by goodness within those categories - so good dresses on the right and bad dresses on the left?

Tis lovely to hear from all of you - am also really getting obsessed by into the whole colour thing now. I keep looking hard at everyone in the street trying to work out what I think about their colouring/outfits - I must look a bit odd but there we go

prompted by the other comments here I wonder if I am finding it hard to apply my blue spring diagnosis as I am not sure of my style type? Or am I just embracing the lovely wankfrippery of it all and fancy another day with like minded person discussing it all?!

Wanted to ask those who have done th HoC style day what they thought? I can find very little in the way of online quizzes about it. I think I feel a bit disconcerted by my colour lady's advice to think of a springbunch of bright tulips and to waer two of my colours with a third bright accent as this is not really me (not sure who is tho!)

Also any advice on how to choose hair colour? I have dark blonde hair that has about a half head of highlights that I change a bit each time. Apart from avoiding ash tones and staying warm toned does anyone have any good advice please? Thanks!

not that i'm any expert in all of this lather but i reckon you need to find a way to make the bright colours suit your style (that justifies a Style day then - eg i'm not really into big prints or colour blocks but love small scale prints and paisley, for me it's a more natural way of getting the colours in. today, i'm wearing an off-white cami-style top with small pink and coral flowers, a bright navy short-sleeve cardi, blue jeans and pink and coral beads.

will update you on this after my style day on sat tho!

Hmmm more and more obsessed with becoming Auburnish. Here is some porn ideas

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=auburn+hair&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=qWohdf7tGpZtZM:&imgrefurl=www.hikika.com/celebritys-hairstyle-long-curly-auburn-hair-wig04791118ms216_p19813.html&docid=l2IaqVOxbUWyPM&w=500&h=500&ei=9olCTpuRAsbE8QP9guXEDA&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=133&tbnw=133&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&tx=76&ty=61&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Similar eye colour to mine but she might be an Autumn

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=auburn+hair&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=-v6TibRLxKIYnM:&imgrefurl=ep.beautymania.biz/t3985-different-hair-colors-and-origins&docid=chPq3Pc7AKZuUM&w=400&h=400&ei=4YpCTqLUIImh8QOhhYCyCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=5&tbnh=150&tbnw=147&start=48&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:48&tx=83&ty=60&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sigh

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=marcia+cross&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=yASjU0aKKekFNM:&imgrefurl=icydk.com/2006/07/04/marcia-cross-desperate-for-kids/&docid=Z9UIZjT7MLFq-M&w=300&h=400&ei=VotCTsXbJsmp8QPx8eDTCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=847&vpy=107&dur=118&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=114&ty=94&page=3&tbnh=142&tbnw=125&start=25&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:25&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This kind of tone does it for me

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=marcia+cross&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=xg7MD_t-WDKoTM:&imgrefurl=justjared.buzznet.com/photo-gallery/1677471/marcia-cross-sag-awards-2009-02/&docid=7WlbYaj91hnJ7M&w=1009&h=1222&ei=VotCTsXbJsmp8QPx8eDTCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=4&tbnh=156&tbnw=131&start=36&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:36&tx=67&ty=29&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">So does this, but I suspect its about as warm as I'd go. I'd want to build up to this. I suspect I'd need more brown but not too much more depth

Re the dress - no its a lovely springy viscose, soft and springy.

Re my natural colour - definitely not as warm as yours Cake, more brown but not terribly darker.

Springy as in elasticy tactile soft modal type effect, I mean!

We are lovely springy springs though

Right, I will stop going on about this soon. Ish.

I think one of the things that is tempting me so much with the Auburn is that I feel I need to go a bit lighter in the hair to be true to my "spring" palette now I know I am a spring and not a deep autumn or winter.

But, I am high contrast. I feel bored with my hair when it is too light. I had a stint of Jennifer Annistony almost-blondeness in the spring of this year and I soon tired of it and felt it didn't do justice to my dark eyes etc. Hence why I went brunette again.

Whilst I do love the shade of hair I have now, in that it is a lovely lovely shade, I feel it is a shade too dark for me when I'm wearing my "correct" colours. Yesterday's photos (or was it the day before?) sort of drove this home to me though I had just refreshed the colour. BUT the reason I refreshed the colour is when I saw it in the mirror I'd think "oh its gone a bit blah" so to go a shade lighter in that actual colour is probably not the answer.

I think I need the contrast but less depth in terms of light/dark therefore to provide that contrast, Auburn or warm tones might just be the answer. I guess I wont know unless I try.

Also, for a while now I've been experimenting with ways to embrace my paleness. I don't want to be tanning or having sunbeds or doing any of that anymore - I never did too much but I am mid 30's and if I sit in the sun or have a sunbed my pigmentation mark on one side of my face comes out...I feel in correct colours I don't "need" a tan so much...and I find myself in the spring having a few sunbeds just so I can get my legs out which is ridiculous. I don't want to prematurely age so I need to dress in my correct colours and embrace my natural paleness. I feel Auburn or red tones help put this into context, as many red heads are also pale.

So I think I need to try it - it might not be for me but I think simply going light neutral brown is not the answer. There's a reason I started dying it in the first place, I felt it was too "blah"...

Okay I am boring even myself now...

Links are working ok for me

Love Isla Fisher's look

Mmm they are all working for me too...

Cake What I mean is take everything out of wardrobe. Put all things that are right back in wardrobe on the right. No need to grade within the categories (e.g. dresses), because if they are 'right' as they will all look fab .
All the stuff that is completely wrong get rid. Anything that is wrong, but that you have to live with for the time being (i.e can't afford to replace, is for doing housework/garden in, and most importantly can't yet find a right one) replace to the left of the wardrobe. Always try to work with the clothes to the right when dressing. I have a hanger for scarves/tights which marks the divide in my wardrobe. I just demote stuff past the scarves/tights as and when I get something right..

Good tips on clearing out the wardrobe I reckon as it's not going to be something that happens overnight.

Tatty I have had a look at the links and my eye is drawn most to the one of isla fisher. I think marcia cross's look is a bit more false and there is less contrast on is it jennifer garner? So if you say you want to look naturally harmonious but you have paler skin then I think isla has it. All that said I am def no expert so feel free to ignore .

I do fancy a style day so might treat myself - any clues anyone as to what info they go on as it's presumably not what you necessarily turn up looking like on the day? I don't know what they mean by gamine ingenue etc.

lather They take some measurements to determine your body shape/proportions. You fill in a questionnaire about your personality. The consultant determines from these what you are. Also bear in mind that she will be picking up clues from how you behave/what you say/how you dress during the day. Most people are two types combined - the body shape determines the first bit and the personality is the way in which you dress that body. So I'm Gamine body (not curvy, petite, short, fairly angular features) dressed in a Ingenue way (although I am almost a 'pure' Gamine). Gamine is little boy ish (think Audrey Hepburn, Gigi) and Ingenue is little girl ish, so as above and a bit more lace, flowers and ruffles. You can also be Natural, Classic, Dramatic and Romantic. Most peeps are two combined, some are three. They give you loads of info on what to look for. Tis fab, once you embrace the general naffness of the idea.
Bit pressed for time at the mo as have to make a Pavlova (don't ask) but will be back later/tomorrow.

Lather I think you have it, for sure.

I suspect I would tire VERY QUICKLY of anything too bright or light

Isla is about the right shade as is Jennifer (I think it is her?!? She looks like a young Geena Davis (ish)

Have since been devouring Debra Messing photos too...particularly <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=debra+messing&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=PqIHIOwHig5eiM:&imgrefurl=ml.berkeleyblogs.com/archives/cat_debra_messing.html&docid=-DZvVQD8vVErzM&w=350&h=442&ei=8KpCTvP7O8ml8QOq-unTCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=702&vpy=123&dur=311&hovh=252&hovw=200&tx=64&ty=250&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=127&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This and <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=debra+messing&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=s3P67NbQP0mhBM:&imgrefurl=thebeautystop.com/best-celebrity-haircuts-of-2008/best-celebrity-haircuts-of-2008-debra-messing-photo/&docid=zN9o6z2d6-xzRM&w=361&h=344&ei=8KpCTvP7O8ml8QOq-unTCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&page=1&tbnh=121&tbnw=127&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0&tx=76&ty=64&biw=1093&bih=491" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this ...

Chestnut, warm and bright and mid toned. Auburn can very quickly move into Autumn and fade a Spring.

I think you have something there Catswipe. Warm, bright, but mid.

When I look at Isla Fishers shade, then switch quickly to 114C Natural Light Chestnut Brown, I get the same "shade" in my head. I reckon that's a pretty good match.

I don't think I'd want to go much "redder" at first. I could always boost it a little with Aveda Madder Root.

I think I have my shade!

Trying to make sure I haven't "not replied" to anything

TraceyK - welcome - no frikin idea mate - get draped when you get the money!!! - remember its more than knowing your "type", its knowing your 2 star colours etc. Its worth it even if you know what you are. My mum is almost definitely a winter due to her having jet black hair in her youth and looking shit sick in camel but still I'm going to get her done when she's here at Xmas.

"- what are you doiung about your white gold/platinum wedding rings etc? Is it possible to get them redone in yellow gold? Not sure my ruby engagement will look a bit Elizabeth Duke after that tho"

Leave it well alone. I've got Platinum diamond jobbies and they are staying just as they are. It won't change how you generally look in the mirror. Leave it be, its the least of your worries. And I think for now I'm keeping my silver/and diamante diamond watch too. So ner.

Oh god I just read that back "its the least of your worries"

Haha what I meant by that (I swear!) is that there is so much to "do"! Don't you reckon?

Oh you know what I mean!

Just back to add that I've taken a mini plunge today. No, not booked the style day (to be honest from Dorothy's description above I can pretty much guess already what I'll be) but have booked a personal shopper session in JL.

Am actually quite nervous about it - anyone done it? Should I mention having had my colours done or wait to see if she suggests things in those colours?

anyway, today fellow colour-fetishists: i took a carrier bagful of outlawed coloured clothes to Oxfam

'it's the least of your worries' I just properly laughed my head off at that (for those who don't know tatty has seen photos of me to help me with hair colour but she obv saw a lot more wrong with me than than my hair colour )

i reckon your thoughts on going lighter/brighter make sense - just be careful not to cross over into too light ronald McD territory which is where i feared i'd strayed with my 'no 7' incident initally. i giggled at your 'need to go a bit lighter in the hair' (not actually sure why now!)

rip i'd tell her about the colours as otherwise you'll be just wasting time - it's not like she's going to just guess your colours, is it, as we all know it's far too complex for that?

ruby i know what you mean, the style day does sound like woo on top of woo but everyone who has been on one raves about it. My sister's boss did it recently and my sister said she looks amazing since.

clevery did you say you've already had the style day (sorry, losing track)

dorothy i've recently done a massive clothes clear-out in anticipation of having my colours done as i wanted to have manageable wardrobes to look at but now i can;t face doing another 'everything out' session so soon. mind you i suppose i don't have to try 59 dresses (yes really) this time as i can just waft my swatch over each item in a mystical fashion so maybe i will do it after the style day

am a bit nervous about the style day. i keep worrying that i'm going to turn out to suit something awful.

also, i'm being slightly spooked by the fact that i keep realising that i do have terracotta and coral in my wardrobe already - on my fave dresses. i'd somehow seen them as orange and pink it's mad tho, all my fave stuff is in spring colours and all the stuff which i couldn't understand why it didn;t quite work on me, is in non-spring colours. has anyone else found this?

tatty do you feel you look better now dressing/doing your make-up as a spring? has anyone else commented?

< Grips the waffle-baton from tatty the day shift and sprints on >

I think we've originated an actual phrase there clevery!

tatty 've just realised it was prob your gold-jewellery thread I posted on a while back. If so, did you make any decisions? I've got my ahem, big birthday coming up and am thinking a really lovely pendant type jobbie might be in order. Some of those astley clarke ones were soo lovely they almost made me weep :)

I already can't fathom why I ever liked silver coloured stuff.