Is there a HOC Spring thread?

[SexNamesRFab]

Today I gave in to another mumsnet urge and had my colours done. The session was great but I went shopping afterwards and found it really hard to find anything I liked - I'm a pastel blue spring. I ended up with some navy trousers from Zara (which are prob too dark) and s geranium red jacket (which may be too bright).

I really want this to be more successful than the steam mop and slow cooker. Are there any other springs out there who can help guide me?

[HavingAnOffDAy]

I'm late to this thread but I'm a recently 'diagnosed' blue Spring too.

I'm off to catch up on links & then will share my recent purchases (if they're stylish enough

[SexNamesRFab]

I'm re-enacting this thread to say I've just had a coral blow out in the gap sale. I bought a hoodie, long thin knit cardigan, thin knit v neck jumper and chunky Aran type jumper - all for £45. I'm going to look very springy while lying in front of the telly/doing the gardening.

[Frostycake]

Arf! at the coral blow-out. I don't have a Gap near me now so I can't indulge like I used to. I always used to find nice silk and cotton/linen stuff there though so I miss it.

I haven't really seen anything to set the world on fire yet. Everywhere seems to be drowning in sludge brown and khaki - neither of which I can wear successfully.

Is anyone else sick of the 70s trend? I can't seem to move for floral maxi dresses and fringed coats around here.

[SexNamesRFab]

70s flouncy stuff looks shite on me. Give me chic 60s or glam 80s tailoring any day.

The lovely whistles tan silk shirt IfYoureHappy linked to above is now half price:

www.whistles.com/women/sale/tops/military-silk-shirt-21812.html?dwvar_military-silk-shirt-21812_color=Rust

As is this whistles tan skirt. God knows what you'd wear it with?

www.whistles.com/women/sale/skirts/popper-side-a-line-skirt-21848.html?dwvar_popper-side-a-line-skirt-21848_color=Rust#start=1

I've ordered it anyway...

[Frostycake]

Agree totally on the chic 60s or glam 80s and even the minimalist 90s being better than the pouffy/ruffly stuff around at the moment. Love the rust shirt but I can't wear that colour next to my face without looking like a huge poo according to my HOC consultant.

Mango have some great clothes with clean lines at the moment in silk, linen and cotton. I'm going to order this:
shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/shirts/chest-pockets-silk-shirt/?id=61015021_10&n=1&s=prendas.blusas&ident=0__0_1460448274595&ts=1460448274595&p=225&page=13
and this gorgeous pinstripe jacket:
shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/jackets/blazers/pinstripe-suit-blazer/?id=61013562_05&n=1&s=prendas.chaquetas&ident=0__0_1460448274595&ts=1460448274595&p=15&page=1

and these gorgeous flats:
shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/accessories/shoes/slingback-leather-shoes/?id=63030283_99&n=1&s=accesorios.zapatos&ident=0__0_1460448274595&ts=1460448274595&p=41&page=3

[SexNamesRFab]

I love those shoes.

[TattyDevine]

Hi all. I'm a Spring! A paintbox Spring. I was done about 5 years ago and I'd never "go back".

I originally got done to understand how to get the right hair colours for me, as I do like a colour change. I've been brown, red and blonde since being "diagnosed", and each time I feel I've been able to get the right shade so it was well worth doing for that, and the makeup alone.

In terms of the clothes it is also a fantastic tool, and 5 years down the line my wardrobe is all compliant save for one black top and one black dress! I made plenty of mistakes along the way and probably went a bit Cbeebies presenter for a while but I think I've got the balance now and learned how to use neutrals as a backdrop - that said when I first got done the colour-blocking thing was quite in anyway which is possibly why I was up for it at the time, there was a lot of it about!

Things change, and when I first got done I didn't find it too difficult to find tops I liked but at the moment I really do - not because of colours to be fair, particularly at this time of year, but because of style (whilst I haven't done the style day, I am almost definitely a natural romantic, like, totally textbook!)

But things will change again, and when the do, I will be sure to pounce on the shops and buy up big because I sure am saving money at the moment!

I probably should make more effort to browse around the shops more often though, and go to bigger shops (a trip to Westfield Stratford is probably in order)

I struggled switching to gold jewellery at first because electroplate brings me out in a rash and I hate the way it doesn't last, but I discovered Etsy, and "gold filled" which doesn't give you a rash and lasts forever but not as expensive as 9ct, and then discovered I could teach myself to make the stuff you can buy on Etsy so that became a whole new hobby (made the earrings in the pic for instance!). Along the way I have discovered that rose gold is the absolute best metal on me.

It really does make a difference though. I used to think I looked pale and sickly, because I was looking at my skin against a black or charcoal backdrop, but put it next to coral or bright blue or oxford blue and it looks opaque and peachy and healthy, whilst still being pale, but good pale if that makes sense.

In terms of balance if you pay attention to your best colours (mine are clear and bright) then it really makes your eyes pop and you can look a lot more put together.

Here's a pic of me looking springy! Sorry about the weird cheesy smug grimace. This is a couple of years old, I am a warm blonde now which also works well but I am tempted to go back to Auburn soon...decisions decisions...

[cardoon]

So good to see you back Tatty

[TattyDevine]

Thanks Cardoon

[SexNamesRFab]

Lovely photo Tatty.

French connection seem to have some v springy tops in at the moment. Check out the Polly Plains collection, e.g.:

m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-polly-plains-capped-sleeve-v-neck-t-shirt/p2521472?sku=235288489&kpid=235288489&s_kenid=dec57e49-6e41-4ba0-a977-14b9435c6743&s_kwcid=403x2444567&tmad=c&tmcampid=73#page_loaded

They also do this in a rose pink and fizzy pink, which I think would work for springs. I'm not sure about hand wash though!

There seems to be a lot in the shops at the moment. Is it really much more difficult at other times of the year?

And does anybody really wear brown mascara? If so, is it worth it?

[eternityleave]

I wear brown mascara Sexnames but to be honest I can't say I've really noticed any difference. I keep my makeup very basic and simple though.

[theredlion]

Brown mascara makes a huge difference to me.
I'm going to check out and maybe steal the ideas in your links.

[IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt]

Definitely advocate brown mascara. And blue eyeliner actually.

Inspired by little in the shops currently. Living in tan.

[SugarSurfing]

Hi I don't know whether anyone will see this (I haven't posted on MN before so don't know how it works), but I've just had my "colours done" by HOC - I came out as a Paintbox Spring. I loved the process and am now really excited to try out my new colours - I was wearing mostly completely the "wrong" colours and was v surprised (in a nice way) at the verdict. I think it was a good time of year to have it done as there seems to be loads of bright colours like coral and tangerines (2 of my **) in the shops! Does anyone have any tips for good shoes (comfortable yet stylish)?? Many of mine are black! Also I am thinking about doing the personal style day - has anyone done it? Would you recommend it?

[shirkingworking]

Hi sugar surfing - I'm a paintbox Spring too. Yes - perfect season for shopping! Buy doubles in any basics that you like if they are in really good colours (I.e. T-shirts, vests etc). Re shoes - there's a lot of tan and brown leather around. I just spied some lovely comfy brown Chloe-looking (hippy 70s vibe) sandles from Ugg - Janie. Sorry can't do links on phone. They were v comfy but it depends on your style. Personally, the style day didn't enlighten me very much but loads of mumsnetters loved it.

Back to shoes - I wear tan (not nude!) leather courts for work, or snakeskin (greyish) courts or navy ones (all Hobbs which is odd as I generally don't like Hobbs). Going out - I have leopard pointy mid heel shoes and gold courts and gold sandals. I also have tan camper sandals (with a platform) for casual going out (as I can't walk in them all day even though they are relatively comfy). And bright emerald green and bright red pointy flats from Zara/Office. And turquoise (new balance 'bare foot') trainers for weekends. And white supergra. And gold Havianas. And brown Kensington uggs for winter although they are not v stylish... Embarrassing number of shoes really...

[shirkingworking]

P.s. Sugar - what do you think your style type is? Do you like the natural look/classic/romantic/gamine (Audrey Hepburn-ish a bit boysish)/ boho girly (ingenue in HOC speak) or 'dramatic'?? I'm a natural ingenue. No big surprise. But that probably explains some of my shoe preferences!!

[SugarSurfing]

Thanks Shirking - lots of shoe ideas there - I already own gold Havianas so at least one thing that works! Will have a looks at Hobbs - I don't think I've ever bought shoes from them before but am happy to pay more for comfortable shoes which don't look too comfortable IYSWIM :)

I'm not sure on style type
I think maybe classic + something - maybe natural or ingenue but not really sure. I think I really need some pointers. I know what shapes suit me to some extent, but am rubbish when it comes to pattern, jewellery, accessories etc.

[shirkingworking]

Well, if you can afford it and like the person who did you colour, go for it!!

I'm definitely 'natural' (I.e. make minimal effort!) but not sure I am totally girly/ingenue by HOC definitions. I'm not 'supposed' to wear stripes but love a Breton/stripey dress/gingham dress and am not 'supposed' to even wear small dangly earrings. Studs only. Total nonsense. I love just wearing slightly dangly earrings and keeping everything else simple for a night out!

However, I thought I'd be 'classic' but actually feel quite odd in my smart navy trench (for work) and when I wear standard city attire. So I agree I'm more ingenue than classic.

Actually, maybe the style day way quite good...!

[SugarSurfing]

Thanks Shirking. It is expensive and could buy a fair few clothes for that, but I think this would last forever and hopefully will help me make better buying decisions and maybe waste less money on bad (for me) clothes.

I do feel so transformed and confident in my "new" colours (I had a few thing lurking in my wardrobe which hadn't seen light of day for years.) But maybe then the style day wouldn't be so revelatory and I would be disappointed - humm

I love stripes too! - I almost live(d) in my breton tops at the w/e but they are white with navy stripes so probably not springy.

[shirkingworking]

Go for it if you think it would be helpful! I liked the colour one (so much I did it a few times - not least because I had a clearly wrong winter diagnosis first time I did HOC...) but felt quite a lot of the style one was stuff I already knew and other parts were just weird (eg not to wear stripes at all ever - too masculine!). And the person doing it dressed in quite a dated way so it out me off. I know it shouldn't.

Try Cos for Bretons in more springy blues. Think I saw a lovely bright blue and cream one in there... Navy and white isn't a disaster for a paintbox Spring though!

[SugarSurfing]

Thanks:) I think I will almost certainly do the style day. Will check out Cos too - have never bought from them.

[SexNamesRFab]

Nice to see this thread pop up again. I used to live in black shoes and bags, I've mostly swapped to tan now as there seems to be a lot of it about. I've also bought some gold cut out ballet flats and chocolate brown ankle boots. TK Maxx has been a great source of multi-coloured shoes and bags (because all the boring black sells out immediately?).

I've switched to benefit brown mascara, I'm not 100% convinced yet.

Has anybody seen any nice spring coloured dresses?

[MrsPeacockDidIt]

I found the style day really useful. I can't remember the proper term but I'm the pirate/ highwayman / gypsy princess one. It's made it so much easier to shop. However you have to really hunt for Spring coloured pirate clothes ha ha.

[SugarSurfing]

Well I'm booked in for the style tomorrow! Will be 2 other people there apparently. Looking forward to it, but don't want to get my hopes up too much

[ledgeoffseason]

Let us know how it goes!