Why Seasonal Color Analysis is Important and Why it Isn't
As a personal stylist for women, identifying a seasonal color analysis for each client is an integral part of my process, but probably not for the reasons you might think.
Reading this article while eating breakfast this morning, I was reminded that my approach to the importance of seasonal color analysis is not common. I do think it matters. But, I also think it doesn’t. The phrase I often use with clients is, “don’t let the colors run your life. Choose a season that speaks to you, commit to it, and move on.”
Why Choosing a Seasonal Color Palette Matters
For apparently over 100 years (according to the Atlantic article), we’ve been hearing about the importance of identifying our color palette. There are two main reasons for this: 1. Understanding what colors “look good” on you means that you’ll look your best when you are out in the world and in photos and 2. Identifying the color palette for you ensures that the colors you wear with play nicely with the other colors you wear, ensuring that your outfits are on point.
There is, of course, truth to the idea that some color flatter your skin tone better than others. Sometimes, this is obvious and other times, things are a little more mysterious. A color analysis expert will hold 1,300 colors up your face and determine the exact hues that are for you, for example. I do not provide that level of recommendations to my folks. Instead, we share the seasonal color palette and sometimes the secondary seasonal color palette that flatters her skintone. Then, we talk about it. Why? Because getting dressed should bring you joy. When you walk out the door, you should feel like your most authentic self. This means you’ll show up to the world with more self confidence and interact with the world in a more authentic way. If you happen to have a soft color palette based on your skin tone, but bright winter colors actually make you feel like your best self, than feel free to dive into the bright winter palette. Really? Yes, really. IF that’s the case.
What I generally find is that when I share a client’s basic seasonal color palette, she may not like all the colors, which is fine. Because frankly, all the colors in her general color palette (Autumn, Summer, Winter, Spring) probably won’t flatter her skin. But, a subset of those colors will. And more often than not, when she dives into those colors, she’ll find that the colors she adores are actually already part of her seasonal color analysis. Basically, we tend to like what looks good on us.
So why provide a seasonal color palette that includes colors that aren’t super flattering for her along with colors that are? Simplification, Dear Reader. Let’s use the Autumn color palette as an example here.
If she her seasonal color analysis shows that she is an Autumn, that means that she has warm undertones and her skin tends to have more green than blue to it. All of the colors in this color palette are more flattering for someone in that situation.
More specifically, if she is a dark Autumn, the colors below will be most flattering for her. So, when choosing colors that go next to her face or when buying a coat, scarves, glasses, etc., these colors will be most flattering on her. However, if everything she buys is within the autumn color palette, that ensures that everything she buys works with everything else. Whether she has a high or low contrast outfit, the colors won’t clash. In this case, orange is part of the Autumn color palette, but not included in the Dark Autumn colors. So, she may opt to buy an orange handbag, shoes or pants. Or perhaps she’ll buy an orange dress, but wear a dark teal scarf or sweater layered over it.
This approach saves endless resources. When you buy only items in your color palette ( I know, “only” is scary at first. Focusing on them makes a lot of progress quickly.) you’ll skip all the effort searching for a top to go with your new pants because every top you own coordinates with those pants. Now, you are simply looking for the right top for that look. You’ll save money. Focusing on pieces that complement your body type, communicate your authentic personal style and your values (when applicable) AND are in your seasonal color palette translates to a wardrobe filled with pieces you’ll actually wear. No more items hanging in your closet with the tags on months after purchasing them. Sticking with one color palette is sustainable. You’ll purchase fewer pieces, because let’s face it, everything isn’t available in your color palette. You’ll also buy with intention and waste less. It’s a win-win all around.
And Why it Doesn’t
Yes, there are a plethora of reasons that your intentional wardrobe should be focused on one color palette. But, seasonal color analysis isn’t everything. Life is for living.
One shortcoming is that this is not an exact science. One color analysis professional might tell you that your an Autumn while another might insist you are a Winter. Of course, some are more skilled at identifying which colors are most flattering for an individual. I often say that even with identifying your body type, we’re not robots. We’re people. So, things aren’t always going to be 100%.
And as we mentioned, sometimes, we’ll be drawn to one season’s colors while an expert insists that another season’s colors are really meant for us. My advice? Find the color palette that speaks to you. Ideally, it’s one that is consistent with your skin tone. So, if you have a warm skin tone, you’ll be guided by a seasonal color analysis filled with warm colors. Or if you have a cooler skin tone, you’ll choose from Winter or Summer colors, for example. And then, prioritize the colors that bring you joy rather than the colors that are prescribed for you. Knowing your “best” colors is very helpful when you know you’ll be in photos or for special occasions but don’t let the colors run your life. Instead, use them as a tool to simplify your life so that you can spend your time focused on other things.
Pin This!
Come on In!
Holy crow there are a lot of benefits to being a member of the Poplin community. You’ll receive my Top 100 Favorite Retailers Organized by Personal Style AND the Wildly Popular Six Weeks of Style Tips. Poplin email subscribers also get the newsletter directly to their inboxes every other Friday PLUS all sorts of bonus content that is not published on the blog. Sign up! We won’t spam you or share your info with anyone else. Already on the list? Share Poplin with a friend who’d love this content, too!