Finding Your Colour!

If you’re anything like me, your wardrobe is a hodgepodge of colours, styles, and tones. Often, picking an outfit for the day is conducted like a lucky dip. But what about those special occasions when you want to look your best and feel good doing it? More often than not, it all comes down to colour. Before you head out to your next retail therapy session, read up on these essential tips for choosing the right colours for you.

Understanding Your Skin Tone

The first step in determining what colours work best for you is by understanding your skin tone. This can be light/fair, medium, or dark.

The undertone of your skin is just as important when determining what colours will flatter you. There are three basic undertones: warm, cool, and neutral. If you have warm undertones, your face has a reddish glow to it. If you have cool undertones, your face appears bluish-white.

Personal Colour Palette

Everyone is different, and your colour palette is going to be unique to you, your likes, and dislikes. At first, this can come down to trial and error. Find a room with good lighting and experiment by trying on different coloured clothes. Don’t focus on the style. Does one colour make your eyes pop, or does it make you look washed-out? Does one make you look fresh, or give off ‘drab’ vibes? Before long, you will have a whole selection of colours you like and that look great.

Eye Colour

Another option is to look at your eye colour to find what colour clothing will give a flattering look. You can find colours that complement, or contrast.

For blue eyes, look for shades of purple and blue that are similar to them. Or for those with brown eyes, try mixing orange and yellow hues.

Hair Colour

Don’t forget that hair colour also plays an important part in making up your personal colour palette. Often overlooked when choosing colours for clothing and makeup, it is just as important as skin tone. Again, this can complement or contrast.

Creating Your Outfit

Now you know what colours look great on you, you can use them to emphasise your best features. Choose neutral colours as the base for your outfit and build on it. Mix them with colours, patterns, and textures. One of the most powerful tools in your colour toolbox is contrast. There are many kinds of contrast, but we’ll focus on two:
  • Contrast by hue – This is between two colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. Mix and match your items and remember to have fun!
  • Contrast by value (lightness or darkness) – This kind of contrast can be used to create emphasis or visual interest. For example, you could place a light-coloured element (such as a scarf) over a dark top; this would make your eye go straight to that area first!

When it comes to fashion, there’s no one size fits all. Everyone has their own style and preferences, so why not make the most of them? The key is to find colours that complement you and highlight your best features. Colour can help you look younger or more sophisticated – it’s just about using it wisely and having fun!

Gurneet Sachdev
O50s
Australian Over 50s Living & Lifestyle Guide

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