Wow - really seeing the effects of getting my colours done!

[ADefiniteMaybe]

Just a witter really! I had my colours done a few months ago and have really found it has made a difference to my approach to shopping and clothes in general. The proof of the pudding came last week when 3 of us (me, dh and dd) went away for 6 nights with just 2 locker sized cases. Because my wardrobe "works" so much better now I was able to travel with so much less and still look coordinated and together. Really, really pleased. (And, no, I am not a colour consultant - just a happy p/t teacher who has really learned to dress better.)

I think I'm going to do it. I'm in London. Any specific recommendations? And how should I assess what u'm being offered?

Another HoC fan here. When you are draped, you ail be given a main season and a sub-season, and of all the colours in your swatch wallet, there will be some which are extra fantastic on you - these will be marked as **. Thisis a big help if nothing in your existing wardrobe is right.
I thought the explanation and instruction was excellent - my friend was CMBd and I had to explain her wallet to her - her consultant had not done so.
And HoC have personal style days, which I promise you, are essential - so I would deffo go there.

I agree, the style day is the true revelation and is what really makes your wardrobe full of clothes that truly suit you.

Lioninthesun yes dark brown eyes on me. I think (despite looking at myself in the mirror for 40+ years) I don't actually know what or who I look like. Dark hair (that drains & now highlighted, lighter brown eyebrows)

I think you, me, madbuslady & mrspolkadotty must all have similar colouring - Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Garner..? Is there a neutral season ? What I actually want to look like is Jennifer Aniston

I'm definitely warm & wear gold as look terrible in silver. Today I'm wearing orange/red jumper (look normal rather than vile, which I'd look if wearing my old choice of pastel lilac/pink/blue).

There is a CMB iphone ap, but it's terrible, everyone comes out as soft or deep.

My problem is 'my colours' are not colours that I like or gravitate to, but agree shopping is easier as there is less choice. And I've started doing my DC too - DD2 is a winter, DD1 is soft, DH is summer. We've got the seasonal year covered !

I wish the mans colour wallet was a bit more up to date, I bought one off ebay for Dh & it was SO old fashioned..

12blueprints.com/the-12-colour-equations/

Does anyone know this book?

Is that the one with Bruce Willis?

So you get swatch samples which can help you choose your clothes in future? At the moment, I just buy black, grey and navy. And white shirts. At work, I feel smart in it because it doesn't stand out. It's easy and everything matches. But, sometimes when I open my wardrobe door, I feel depressed. It's all so dark. Like a man's wardrobe.

I'd like to get the HoC autumn wallet but can't justify the price, £65, when I have already had my colours done. Has anyone found them on ebay?

Travel - alas no:( Had my colours done elsewhere and am looking around for a replacement for my wallet which I lost. Have found a likely looking alternative on Amazon though :)

I am surprised they didn't give you the wallet when you had your consultation. I had mine done years ago (15) it included a customised wallet with some of the Autumn standards that didnt really work for me swapped with others that did. It still works and has saved me loads of time and money. Me and 3 other friends did the consult and then had a massive clothes swap.

Did get a wallet - lost it!!

Adefinite - Get a colour rerate which costs £45 and you get a new wallet book as well as an update on which colours are your best ones.

Really? Then how would it work without a wallet with your new best colours?

The colours in the wallet stay the same; it's the way you wear them that changes. So your 2* colours might be different from before etc.

Quick question for those in the know - if CMB has diagnosed me (twice) as 'clear and warm' (old system, clear spring), how could HOC have me down as a winter? Which they did. i don't look great in black unless i wear lots of make-up, but it's ok. From reading this thread, I think I could be a 'blue spring' according to the HOC system but am confused. Is there a HOC book I could read?!? (Mid brown hair with warm golden highlights in the sun, fairly pale yellowish/sallow skin (nice!), veins are not green or properly blue - but I don't know anybody with green veins - and have dark blue eyes with slight hazel ring round the iris.)

Gah - I can see me spending even more money and having my colours 'done' are 4th time. Am truly turning into Bridget jones' mum.

I wonder if you are one of those Winters who does not look her best in black? What are you like in other Winter colours?

Maybe - in fact, I think that is what the HOC lady said about 10 years ago! Navy looks much better on me than black; ivory is better than pure white; v yellowy cream isn't great; I like wearing mid bright green and cornflower blue looks nice on me. Dark grey is quite good. Hate hate hate burgundy! But that's just me!

Beginner did you 'see' it when the HoC analysis was done? I have been done (incorrectly) by another colour analysis company, but didn't really get why I was what I was. When I was HoC'ed I felt v confident in the analysis by the time she had gone over it 300 times to satisfy me .

No - to be honest, I 'saw' it more with the CMB.... I'm just not totally confident about it. I don't like wearing contrasting colours (which, apparently, I'm supposed to) and prefer to wear toning ones - eg light blue and dark blue rather than blue and pink. Might give it one more try and do a HOC session (with somebody else - although the person I went to in London had brilliant reviews and is mentioned on these boards....)

Hmm, maybe email either your consultant or one you're thinking of seeing and explain your dilemma? I'm sure your consultant would be happy to explain why/demonstrate again to clarify things (I'm a consultant, and would rather a client was happy and understood than didn't agree with me and felt they'd sunk £99 on nothing).

Re the contrasting, both Springs and Winters generally do better with contrast and colour blocking rather than tone on tone, but depending on your personal style that may vary a bit (I'm an Autumn, generally advised to do tone on tone, but my personal style analysis showed why I'm actually better doing high contrast, either light and dark or adding in some really bright colours from my palette - I need the drama in my outfits).

Thanks Hopefully! I might try emailing the HOC person i went to before again. Maybe ask for an 'update'!