Calling all HOC winters.....

[QueenCadbury]

So, I had my colours done yesterday and I am now a sprinter winter. My best colours being royal blue, electric blue, damson, lagoon blue and light emerald.

Of course a shopping trip is now required so I'm just after any inspiration by what you fellow winters have recently bought...

neena -welcome

I think I am a sultry winter as well cos a lot of my best colours are the darker ones. I do wear brights together but this is balanced out by neutrals (e.g cobalt vest with green cardigan and indigo denim jeans). Its easier going out at night as then I wear a lot of black/charcoal/navy and wear bright lipsticks and accessories.

Natural dramatic sounds tricky - did they give you a booklet with examples? Tell us more about the 3 outfits so that I have have a think about where to get similar items.

Queen - still keeping an eye out for emerald cardigans for you although I expect these will arrive at the end of the summer.

neena - how about this?

or this

or this?

Sounds like you could wear leather? leather skirts?

Would Victoria Beckham's style be typical of a natural dramatic?

I'm a sultry winter, but haven't done the style day, so not sure what my style is. (suspect it's not romantic though). I had alot of black, navy and grey and white in my wardrobe anyway, which I'm relieved about (these are all starred for me), but had to ditch alot of brown. Like you I find it an effort to buy colour, and have managed to find some lilac stuff and some purples which I feel comfortable with. I haven't located much iced pink or mint!

I'm wearing a black dress today (short sleeved) with silver jewellry and raspberry nail varnish. I try to reapply my pink(ish) lippy regularly too! I got a couple of compliments today so must be doing something right, but am trying to stop wearing so much black. (I think it is double starred for me though at 75%).

I ordered some stuff from the boden preview a couple of months ago - can't remember what it was though! maybe the knitwear.

neena I'm still none the wiser . I just did a quick google and Pinterest search but couldn't really find anything. Surely the whole point of your style is to feel at ease with it which it sounds like you don't. Can you go back to your consultant for more advice?

I'm a sprinter so at the spring end of winter so the brights suit me better than the darker sultry colours.

With regards to your coral stuff could you dye any of it? I dyed a coral cardigan fushia which came out a bit patchy but that's because of the high poly content. If you have any natural fibres then they may work.

i keep buying white dresses for the summer which are very impractical because they get dirty and I'm breastfeeding. But I'm still drawn to them if I think they're bargainous!

I like your board too Mad. I am a similar colouring to Victoria Beckham, and dark green was one of my colours. I don't have anything in that colour though. I think the key is not to go out and buy completely new stuff (who can afford that?), but just to slowly introduce colour to your black wardrobe. I would like more bright pink in my wardrobe, but have only got a scarf so far (after seeing a picture of Nigella Lawson in hers!).

How about combining coral with burgundy?

Beattie - interesting to hear you are wearing a lot of white. I used to be able to but now I feel I don't look that good in it, probably due to changes in my skin tone.

neena - or coral with charcoal?

And your outfit today beattie sounds great!

Keztrel - just spotted your question, yes I am still happy with it although I've only used it every few days rather than every time I wash my hair as I've been showering daily due to the heat.

neena - thinking about your style, have you tried looking at Phase Eight's tops and dresses, they add quite a lot of dramatic features to their clothes such asymmetrical necklines, drapes, structured lines, metallic finishes etc.

Blimey you lot are very speedy!!

Madabout...you have it just about spot on I think. I do think the looks are very chic and look stunning when they're like that and for the first time they didn't seem so overwhelming. It feels like such a lot of work I suppose, and it would be in the short term, habits needs breaking and reforming. The longer term would be better though I can see that. The images you have linked to I can really identify with if that makes any sense at all? thank you for looking for me Madabout, it is very much appreciated.

BeattieBow...outfit sounds ace! I shall aspire via the web to rock a similar style soon! Was pine green a top colour for you? And fuchsia? the consultant described them as 'knicker droppers' to me. Colours that I am most attractive in and most striking. I am yet to find a true pine green in any form of style I can wear and haven't dared touch fuchsia! Total fear.

Queen...massive thanks also. I suspect she was right to be honest but it is a hard one to work up to having been a beige/smart casual kinda girl til now! I adore the looks that mad linked too, really love them. The looks you have found with the coral are really lovely and I shall have a go with them, as they will be an excellent transition. I think I had it in my head that it was all or nothing. If I wasn't doing it properly it wasn't worth it at all. those looks have made me allow myself some leeway in the transition.

I have also ordered the black malva set this eve. Debenhams have 10% off plus extra beauty card point today only so have bitten the bullet. My make up is strangely already in the cool camp. Always has been really, although I wear so little of it normally I actually have a very (very very) large collection and obviously had subconsciously picked what worked for my skin and eye colour.

By the way I am very pale (although I have managed a slight glow this year with a combo of being abroad on hols and weather in UK) with deep emerald green eyes and very dark brown hair.

Thanks for letting me join at this late stage and thanks all for the welcome and help already!

I've just spent some more time having a nose through pinterest boards and one thing I'm realising is it isn't just the outfit itself, it's also the way it's worn. the slightly pushed up sleeves or slight tuck in of the shirt.

Where do you go to learn all that?! Are you all effortlessly tucking the front of your tops and accessorising beautifully with numerous designer shoes, bag and gems?

neena I wish! If you look at my fantasy board you will see it is my dream to own designer bags and gems but if you look at my wardrobe board you'll see that the reality is different!

I do the front tuck in thing but learnt it on Pinterest. Well, I start the day doing it but it's not then always easy whilst out in public toilets trying to perfect it whilst stopping a toddler playing with the sanitary towel bin

Queen...brilliant! I am so glad those days are passed me now! Although I think the children being older is why I am starting this now. ds now has a clothing allowance himself yet I'm the one struggling with it all! I dot really feel I fit though now and that's part of the problem. I am relatively young, yet don't have the toddler problem most of my friends do, so when the kids are at school I just look dowdy and out of it. I feel better when theyre around as I have more of an excuse almost. Ive been single for a while now though and feel my style and feelings towards myself aren't helping.

I am impressed at what a difference the odd tuck and push makes to the outfits. shall be observing! I didn't snoop further than the obvious winter boards on anyone pinterest, do you mind me poking thru your wardrobe one?

Glad you found my links useful - these are from my pinterest board and for some reason I am drawn to these looks (maybe dramatic is in my style personality as well?).

Mad...yes I think possibly so. I now realise I am drawn to these looks as me rather than what I think I should look like. My sister is very stylish and beautiful. she is also 3 dress sizes smaller, with different colouring and body shape. But as I know she is stylish I had tried to emulate her a little and had followed her advice on how she does it. It doesn't work at all on me. I look off beat somehow. I suspect I am having something of an epiphany as to why today!

neena go for it. They're there for public viewing! I do find Pinterest great for styling ideas although do often have to remind myself that most of the pins are of models/bloggers and somehow have an ability to look fab in the most simple of outfits.

You will start to feel better about yourself and we'll soon have you embracing fushia

Well you've had an effect ladies already. Today am in dark jeans with a navy and white top. Minimal make up but blotted red lips. I feel put together but not over the top. I have also pushed the sleeves, which are baggy towards the shoulder and then fitted at the wrist, up a bit so they are kind of 3/4.

I feel much less dowdy with only minimal changes.

Thank you.

(Now must do some work as promised self I wouldn't procrastinate on mn quite so much today!)

Has anyone else seen the pictures of the Issa collection for banana republic? Seems very winter colour base in grazia. Dresses look stunning and are £65 to £85 ish. Jumpers, tops etc too.

No have not seen the collection, will go and have a look. Glad you feel much better today

Just had a look at some pics from the Issa collection Neena - love the blue and emerald colours. I think the model is definitely a Winter, she looks ill in the tan and orange colours further down.

I just bought a gorgeous dress from Oasis in the sale here, the blue is really glowing and vivid (is that called indigo? I have no idea), and the material is really heavy which gives the dress a good structure and makes it look expensive.

Good god I need to stop shopping.

Yes I saw that in grazia too. Don't her dresses normally retail at about 400? It'll be interesting to see what they're like. Not that I've ever seen an Issa in real life.

ketztrel I'm stopping shopping until October. I've spent far too much since having my colours done in April.

Queen you must have good self control! When I first had my colours done I spend a couple of months just getting used to them, learning to recognise them in shops etc and just getting rid of clothes that weren't right. But now I've got the hang of them I'm going mad

*spent

We shall see how much self control I have. I only decided yesterday not to buy anything else until then .

I think it's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding something in your colours that I haven't necessarily properly thought through every purchase. I thought some time out would give me a chance to think about what else I really need in my wardrobe and where the gaps are. I'm not normally this sensible I can assure you!