Colour analysis - is it REALLY worth it?

[CambridgeBlue]

I know there have been a few threads about this and I know a lot of people on here swear by having their colours done but I'm still not convinced.

I looked at the Kettlewell website to see the different season palettes and there was only one set of colours I'd even consider wearing - if I was told I had to wear any of the others I'd be very :(.

Then there's the problem of finding things in 'your' colours - I can't see how it would be very easy to find clothes that are both a flattering style and in the right shade, shops seem to stick to certain colours each year apart from the more 'classic' ranges or things like dresses for weddings. Day to day clothes don't seem to come in the brighter hues that are suggested.

To me style and a flattering fit seem more important than colour and I'm sure it's your overall look which would make someone say 'you're looking good' rather than the fact you're wearing a bright orange top - does anyone really look that closely at someone's face so they can see how 'lit up' they look by the 'right' colour?

Lastly (and I'm sure this doesn't apply to anyone on here) but everyone I know who has had this done just looks really obvious - head to toe in turquoise or fuschia because it's 'their' colour when most people tend to wear less in your face colours.

I'm prepared to be proved wrong about this and there's a bit of me that would like to have it done if it can make that much difference to how I look but at the moment I feel I need a bit more persuading.

I think its saved me heaps of money over the years. I had mine done before I got married, and have stayed pretty much the same colours since then. (I did get a HoC to check me over recently!)

It means that when you walk into a large department store, you can mooch from colour to colour rather than try and tackle all the rails which is exhausting! When you do find something, you know it'll look good on you, and people will probably comment.

Kettlewell colours are great at filling gaps in your wardrobe as they follow all colours and fashions.

I also found this site recommended on MN via another thread, which will def. get my custom when I next have some money...
uk.moodbyme.com/

I do agree that you must never just shop by colour and forget cut, style and trends. I think in the right cut, style and colour you look good rather than the item of clothing. The difference I suppose between "You look nice" and "That's a nice dress".

You see I always notice the item but that's me, I appreciate everyone is not so clothes obsessed

Too many people do wear too much black though. I used to look fine in it but as I've got older, I've realised its less flattering on my skin.

Those who've had it done, have you tried dyeing your old clothes to be better colours for you?

I did it myself based on a book.

Bought several new dresses in new (for me) colours last week and dave received a FLOOD of compliments.

Do it!

I have, not Dave.

The reasons why a non winter might look good in black is because they have used fake tan, make up and hair dye to look ok. I personally think Jennifer A looks awful in black - she looks amazing in pale or soft muted colours though.

But I use fake tan, make up and hair dye all the time. Lordy, if I didn't it wouldn't matter what colour I wore, I'd look pretty dreadful.

And I think middle aged and older people who are non winters do look terrible in black no matter how much fake tan etc they use.

HoC has helped me realise that I do not need a fake tan and I have to say that as a middle aged winter I look fab in black.

I do need fake tan or look blue, I also have to dye my hair as am going grey.

But I don't wear black much - actually I only have one black thing and that's fur which makes it softer round my face.

Well winters an wear black can't they or have I got that wrong so am sure you do look fab in it. But I don't think that other people who aren't winters don't look good in it too.

MadAbout - guilty as charged! Of a certain age, non-winter and I realise now I look bloody awful with black next to my face. I now look, and feel, 100 times better than I did this time last year.

I dye my hair too - not brave enough to go grey but I am careful to choose a cool brown shade

My point was that winters can wear black without having to resort to fake tan and extra make up.

I find it interesting. I'm not a very stylish person, I wear what I like and have some idea about what colours suit me.

I'm 25 and don't have to get dressed up etc for work. I don't really wear much colour as I love black,white and grey but think when I'm older I'd wear more colour and maybe have it done. For me I wear a lot of neutral things as its easier and cheaper for me at this moment in time.

Horses for courses. If you're lucky enough to have an eye for what suits you and feel happy with that - fine.
If you're less confident, or you don't have the time, money or inclination to find out what suits you by yourself - you'll definitely save money and no longer have to wonder whether your clothes really suit you.

I was unconfident because (sob story warning) I didn't have much money as a teen (I know that's normal but I honestly used to stay in because I was so embarrassed to be wearing the same skirt and top again).
So I didn't do the experimenting with colours and styles that is seen as a normal part of growing up. I never grew out of the sense that nice clothes weren't 'for me,' whilst at the same time secretly longing to know how to wear them.
When I was working in my twenties I muddled through, with the odd chucking-money-at-it splurge but generally aiming to remain invisible.

Ditto throughout early motherhood in my thirties.

Since having my colour and style analysed I feel much more relaxed about the whole thing. As someone said, most things in my wardrobe go with several other things - in theory everything can be mixed and matched, but some combinations work better than others, obv.

The style day took it that step further. I now feel that I can dress at least passably well for any occasion, and because the styles and colours suit me I rarely feel out of place (obviously assuming I'm not wearing kitten heels at the horse trials!).

But it must be great to have the confidence and experience to please yourself - more power to you!

Don't get me wrong Shotgun, I'm not overly confident about how I dress. I'd love to know what a professional would make of me but I think I'd be more interested in style advice/ideas (which I get a lot of on here!) - the whole colour thing just seems a bit limiting and tbh I wear mostly neutrals anyway. Really glad to hear it worked out for you though :)

Thanks .
Advice on style from a good image consultant is very different from anything you'll see here. This board is great fun and there are some seriously stylish, helpful and knowledgeable posters.
But ultimately, without having met or even seen you, all they can say is 'yes that's nice - wear it,' or 'that's horrible, run a mile.'

The image day gets you to a point where you can look at an item and know whether it's right for you without having to consult anyone else.

If anything, it's more useful than the colour day, but unfortunately you usually have to have your colours analysed first.

Cambridge The book I bought was called Colour Me Beautful - it was an oldish book so was about £1 on Amazon marketplace! Was well worth it - I'm a Winter and was already wearing lots of the right colours, black, royal blue, hot pink, etc - but it gave me pointers of colours I never would have thought of wearing that also really suit me. It also got me trying different colours of makeup which really made me look healthier and more 'glowy'.

Thanks I'll have a look for that :)

Since having had my colurs anaylysed with HoC (winter), I'm far more adventurous with the colours I wear.

I wasn't at all confident about my looks and had no sense of style for myself when i was younger - I can relate to Shotgun's post. Had my colours done nearly 2 yrs ago and dress like a new person! I generally feel more put-together.

I will definately have the style day too at some point.

where can i find this colour and style analysis? what is the price range?

i really struggle with style and only stick to black, navy, grey or beige.
would love to know so it may take the stress out of trying to look right.

Mouses - House of Colour seems to be the most popular although John Lewis also offer a service in a very limited number of their bigger shops. I am really pleased I had it done - just wish I hadn't waited so long :)

There is a difference between wearing colours you like and ones that suit you.

I love certain colours for my home - but some just look like shit next to my face.

Before having my colours done- now known as BCD_ I used to wear a lot of dark shades- black and navy- near my face as do lots of youngish people. These are utterly wrong and make me look washed out, as do most bright, harsh shades.

Yes, you can do it yourself if you have a good 'eye' but looking at lots of folks- they don't!

People do get in s rut and tend to stick with what they like and feel safe in- and sometimes it's completely wrong.