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?

How do you know your colours please ? I wear black nearly all the time. brown eyes mid to dark brown aid, fair to light olive 'celt' colouring???

i meant hair not aid,sorry too much isla negra sauvignon blanc x

I've just had colours and style day done with hoc. I'm an autumn natural romantic, which should be great - the only times I got near the shops this summer they were hooching with possible clothes, but my DC rebelled against me looking.

The style day was well worth it.If I hadn't had it I suspect I would have just started wearing jeans and autumn t-shirts, whereas now I know what should look really good for me.

One thing I was told was that I really need (large) jewellry, and it really works.

twooter same as a Summer friend of mine. She is heavy on the Romantic and was also told big jewellery and to think glamorous highwayman/pirate for her look. And not to show her legs, which is a shame as they are good. Lots of sparkly stuff too. Very OTT. Should be easy at the moment - all those flounces, ruffles and lace in the shops.

Morning springs!

Well, this morning I've been into town (I just can't help myself) and have bought a box of ColourB4 Extra Strength, a box of Nice n Easy 114c Natural Light Chestnut Brown, and a box of 118B Natural Medium Caramel Brown (which I may take back depending on the strand test results of the Natural Light Chestnut Brown)

I feel that the colour should be a "light" not a "medium" as I am currently using a Medium and wondering if its slightly dark. So I am coming up a shade but going warmer.

Deliberating on when to do it. There's no rush really. But I keep thinking about it and it wont "go away" until I do it so I might just crack on and do it. I don't quite know what the ColourB4 will reveal - it will probably reveal a dulled down version of the bleach highlights I had earlier in the year, once the colour molecules are removed, but it will probably also reveal a half inch at least of ginger roots, where no bleach has been applied but where box dyes have lightened my natural colour slightly. So I could look quite odd. And I can't colour straight away.

I am tempted to do it tonight, then just go "au natural" tomorrow (probably only seeing NCT friends at their house so they all know how bonkers I am with hair experiments and will probably not even notice), then there is the weekend where for once there is nothing too exciting planned socially so I can sort of hide and stick to places where people have crap hair, then Monday is a nothing-yet-planned day so in theory I could dye my hair that day. Then I am presentable for summer club and nursery run on Tuesday. Not that I should care about that but I might be self-concious if its a monstrocity. You are supposed to wait 7 days and 3 washes but I can certainly get 3 washes in and its 4 full days till Monday night if I do it tonight which should be enough. I think last time I did it on the morning of day 5 after colour b4 having strand tested it on day 4 and not reoxidised. Hmmm.

Dammit that you have to wait 7 days!!!

What do you reckon, ladies, should I just crack on with my colour change?

Oooh, someone else who's done the style day twooter. So it wasn't a load of old woo then?

What did you wear during the 'swimwear round'? Was it cringey?

Do you think the consultant did 'get' you? Does romantic-natural seem right?

I'm thinking I'll be a ingenue-romantic or something similarly simperingingly-sickly sweet despite being a hard as nails feminist!

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

Yes, but I feel I have a long way to go. I've had a few "wow, that's a great colour on you" mainly with corals and reds. I do sometimes wear non-compliant colours out and about. I haven't done a major revamp yet. I am my most compliant when I am bogging around the house because the things I bought first were bogging around tops and trousers etc!

I am planning on doing a style day at some point. I don't know when. I don't quite have the "emotional energy" for it at the moment (that sounds stupid) but I am sort of struggling a bit at home with kids and summer holidays etc and I think I might wait till well into the Autumn. I think in my mind what I would really like to do is just sit on it for a while, gradually building up some basic pieces, and make sure I've done the style day before the spring collections next year. I have to say I am struggling with some of the autumn stuff that's starting to come in the shops - so many dark and muted colours!!! It might be slim pickings for a while anyway.

But I feel great about the makeup thing, am keen to crack the hair thing by hopefully establishing my ultimate best colour and shade, I need some jewelery (at the moment I don't wear much at all though I have resurected a big gold bracelet I got for my 21st birthday!) - I need a good gold everyday pendant/necklace. What do you think of this?

But one thing is for sure, as and when things get bought, they are in the right colours. I'm not buying anything new now that isn't in the right colours. I either buy nothing, or I make do with what I have, but no more things are getting purchased unless they are correct. I am dressed incorrectly today in a top that's more Autumny than spring, but that's okay, later when I'm in for the day I will change into spring colours! And I'm not wearing any makeup today at all because my face broke out in psoriasis (lovely) the other day which I've got under control with my cream but I'm waiting till the flakes have gone until I attempt foundation! Mmm, attractive. Hello, avocado oil...

highwayman/pirate dorothy?! that's really scared me now. does you friend look good tho?

yy, go for it tatty!!! you drive yourself and us mad til you do can;t you do a 7-wash jobbie to cover it til you can use the perm one?

arf at 'stick to places where people have crap hair'

See that is something I wonder about style wise - which probably means I do need to do a style day. But I like feminine clothing, I feel best in skirts and boots, nothing too frilly but a little boho, I like having slightly messy tousled hair, I don't think I could ever really have a sharp sleek bob for instance, if I had a bob again it would have to be a flippy bob...

I would feel more comfortable looking like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.celebritygossip.com/public/celebrity_pictures/3987b275aa.jpg&imgrefurl=www.celebritygossip.com/celebrities/helena-bonham-carter/pictures/&h=600&w=402&sz=320&tbnid=X_OCmxWEVlCfvM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=72&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhelena%2Bbonham%2Bcarter%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=helena+bonham+carter&docid=eyxuCPgFJEfIZM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Jb1DTsv9FI-3hAfXu6CgCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQ9QEwBg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this (though she's totally in the wrong colours! than <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=fitnessanddefense.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Victoria-Beckham_28.jpg&imgrefurl=fitnessanddefense.com/victoria-beckham-diet/&h=400&w=300&sz=116&tbnid=Uo7IWPVUzJiiGM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=68&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dvictoria%2Bbeckham%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=victoria+beckham&docid=0ySDzCMjkUjjgM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bL1DToKLK4ayhAfRuInFCQ&ved=0CDsQ9QEwAg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this

Does that make me sort of "romantic"? Who is romantic? Give me some celeb examples anyone who thinks they understand the style types? In fact, give me some current celeb examples of all the types? Lets have a little discussion about what we think various celebs are to help me understand the types?

Id have thought Kate Hudson would be a good example of a Romantic here I read somewhere that she is a Spring : )

tatty it looks silver on my screen

i like this

this but colourt is prob wrong

and quite liked this

i did see some really nice 'rustic' looking gemstone pendants, poss citrine which might be the right colour but the links are saved on my mac at home (on work laptop meant to be working)

ooooh create your own monica vinader pendant

Yes am def interested in hearing the personality types and examPles thereof. I am confident in my body shape but not style personality as such.

A big yes to the Monica vinader - her gems are gorgeous - and also check out Alex Monroe - the gold dragonfly is fab (sorry can't link as on phone).

Tatty I would do the hair Monday but then I have no patience whatsoever so don't let me talk you into making a mistake!

I remember lurking on one of the old wise and avid threads when there was a discussion about building your wardrobe to cover occasions rather than items. So rather than checking off White shirt black blazer pencil skirt etc shopping for a range of events ie school meeting office day Sunday lunch out with family. Does the style day give you information on this kind of wardrobe building does anyone know? That kind of blueprint really appeals to me.

Right I'm back
Gamine/Ingenue people are:- Twiggy, Goldie Hawn, Britney Spears, Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn, Darcy Bussell, Gemima Khan. So, lots of waistcoats, cropped sleeves on everything. Key words/ideas are neat, snappy, fitted, braiding, pleats, charm bracelets & jewellery, small ruffles, bits of lace. No cowl necks or anything in any way droopy (run from the waterfall cardigans), no long necklaces or pendants. Tailored, cropped blazers. Also 1920s look with cloche hats (this personality type loves hats!)and those lace up brogue type shoes or Mary Jane type things. Dainty shoes with T bars are good, pumps with med/low heels. Big heavy boots out, shoe boots in. Knee length boots probably too heavy. Bags must be small and structured (no slouch bags) and can have fun details - flowers, decoration, bag charms & so on. Neat hair styles - mine is a bob. Cropped capri pants. Shorts(!). I can try to link to a few things I have if anyone is interested.

I know a bit about the others! E.g if you were on a desert island the natural is the one you would send for the wood to make the fire - they would do it. Its all natural fabrics, cowboy boots, sports wear, wooden beads, tousled hair - you get the idea.

The pendant look nice but they look small and so will only do for the Gamine/Ingenue/Classic types I think. If you are a Dramatic/Natural or Romantic you will need something MUCH larger. So for a Natural Spring, turquoise would be perfect but only in silver if you are a blue spring & its hard to find in gold settings.

As you can tell I'm into this in a big way!

lather -the style day does cover wardrobe planning to a certain extent. However I think when you get your style right you worry less about dressing for a particular occasion. I rarely buy anything for a particular event now as I would rather wear something that I know feels comfortable (in the broadest sense). My worst nightmare is evening wear as its just so grown up!
It is worth cultivating your consultant - mine is happy to advise at any time - she will look at pics on mobile phones and give her verdict!
Good advice given on the style day was to spend the most money where you spend the most time (and it's not a wedding!). You are encouraged to do a pie chart with the different things you do in it - work, housework, time spent at home relaxing, going out etc, and building up a wardrobe which reflects what you do and for what proportion of your time.

The natural Romantic definitely is me. I'm the sort of person that can never look really smart - if I do try I end up looking about 20 years older. The clothes I get to wear are quite floaty and soft, but of natural meterials so cotton, leather, suede etc . The questionnaire bit was quite thought-provoking too - it made us define aspects of our personality that you wouldn't normal give a thought about.

For the measuring bit I just wore a cami and leggings- so not too revealing. I was amazed at the detail they went into - from what shape neckline/what style jackets/trousers etc - not just in length, but by cut/collars as well.

There was a section on how to put an outfit together, and what would make you look underdressed/overdressed. We also had to allocate percentage of our time according to work/social/ housework etc, to get proportions of what clothes we would need in our capsule wardrobe.

I have found it fascinating, and did think it'd be a fun career, but my consultatant was very good at saying what she thought - I'm not sure I could be that blunt .

Hmmm

I think I might have an element of "natural" about me. I'm a bit beachy/surfie/ski-ish, possibly as I am an Aussie. I simply cannot give up wearing Ugg boots in winter now I live in the UK. What's the point of living in the UK if you don't even get to wear Uggs? I make no apology for this, as such, but am well aware of their pitfalls from a style perspective and know they are generally unpopular on the style and beauty forum. I would just say I do "make" myself wear proper shoes for anything more than popping to the shops and the school run but for around the house and short journeys doing mundane routine stuff, I simply cannot give up Uggs I don't think. I also have a thing for chunky knitwear. One blow to being "diagnosed" a spring is that there are several items I have in charcoal that really don't tone with my new palette. I like knitted dresses with tights and long boots. In fact during the winter, my day to day school run and general dossing about wardrobe could be populated entirely from the Celtic Sheepskin, Hush and White Company catalogues. So one way I struggle slightly with the Spring thing is that a lot of my best colours don't really suit knitwear at all. We can still do it in the neutrals, and the light navys and the mid chocolate browns etc, but they are not my "best" colours. There's always warm white or cream I guess but once again its not my best colour.

But I think there is an element of romantic about me too. I like feminine things. I like long hair. I like the long hair to be tousled or wavy and have never favoured the poker straight thing on me despite having naturally fairly straight sleek hair. So I curl it with my GHD's which is no trouble really and I have it down to a fine art, takes about 10 minutes. I like skirts, long boots, but also jeans mainly due to how practical they are. I like the jeans and heels look. I like jackets with a feminine accent or a swing style or a 50's feel. I like cape style outerwear with 3/4 sleeves and long gloves. I like cowl necks, slash necks, boat necks, bardot style tops. Gypsy stle tops, blouson style tops.

Body wise, I am hourglass, with a generous D cup bosom and I battle the bulge, constantly, particularly at the moment as I'm not able to exercise as much as I would like and I whacked a bit on earlier in the year during a prolonged illness (pneumonia that just wouldn't go away) so I feel actually I'd like to get back to my "fighting weight" before I have a style day too though its supposed to not make a difference but I feel it does for me, if nothing else I want to be rearing to go in terms of shopping and I'm a bit half-arsed about it at the moment but I'm working on it! And I really need to give up the as its not conducive to weight loss!

One last thing is personality - I'm bold and loud and talkative but very friendly and not confrontational particularly, I tend to think the best of people or at least give the benefit of the doubt, and am a people person, very interested in people. I think most of that rules out gamine and ingenue, I'm not really elegant or conventional enough to be classic, but I think there probably is an element of natural and an element of romantic. I think dramatic would make me feel "overdone"...

Tatty Gamines are the chattiest of the lot

stop having such interesting conversations when i'm at work and supposed to be concentrating on designing fecking websites rather than stuff to suit Springs

but now i'm here does this link work? i designed it to suit spring - does it?

I think the mini luna pendant bit is a bit boring for us! We need turquoise!

i agree, there wasn;t much option for the luna pendant but thought the grey is in our palette at least

i have loads of silver 'n' turquoise to replace

this is the brightest stone that Monica vinader does - is that bright enough for spring?

astley clarke has lots of gold with turquoise tho

lather yy, i love alex monroe's stuff too but have yet to look at the stuff again thru my new spring eyes

Cake I know this is all about investment, but those astley clarke prices are plain daft.

really? i cover the prices with my hand

some stuff is reasonable and they do have good sales (they;d need to, wouldn't they?) i'm also pushing the boat out a bit as i'm thinking of ideas for dh to buy me for my upcoming birthday

also, just remembered Accessorise have started doing 'gold' and turquoise which is great if you;re just trying it out and don;t want to spend £££ at this stage. i got a cute turquoise drop and a gold bird pendant there recently. the gold plating doesn;t last long (on me anyway) though so investment in the proper stuff is needed.

Right, I am rocking the clingfilm/rotten egg thing with ColourB4 on my head as we speak

Dunno what its going to reveal probably ginger roots but not sure about the ends. I can see some greys glinting though

Its going to be a long weekend, ladies...

Bladdy DS keeps leaving the sodding door open and making a draft too