Enough already with dull January!  I’m not one to be particularly bothered with the weather (how un-Irish of me) but seriously the endless grey days are getting a bit much now… So let’s think about lighter and brighter things, Spring approaching and more colour in our lives!

We often get people asking us “What colours should I be wearing?” And while we can advise people off the cuff, it’s much better for individuals to gain an understanding of what really works for them and why. That way they can learn how to select flattering colours without being restricted to a bunch of colour swatches.

So what’s there to know about colour? Quite simply, picking colours that flatter your own colouring is a great cheat to looking healthy and radiant on a daily basis! The other reason for understanding colour, is that it makes it much easier to build up a selection of colours and tones in your wardrobe that are easily interchangeable. A good guide would be to have 50% neutral tones (black, navy, cream, grey etc) and 50% colour.

So what can you look out for? Well a flattering colour should sit in harmony with your own natural colouring, this is a combination of your skin tone, hair colour and eye colour. For example, lighter tones tend to suit fair haired ladies whereas those with a stronger or darker colouring can wear brighter or deeper tones respectively. It’s also important that the colour doesn’t overpower the wearer, you should see the person before the colour!

So here a few simple tips you can use when shopping:

• Light affects colour so try to look at the colour on you in natural daylight if possible (near a window)
• A flattering colour will make you appear fresher, healthier and more awake, whereas an unflattering colour tone can make you look tired, drained or create shadows on your face.
• Experiment with different colour tones e.g. Light blue, bright blue, dark blue and see with one enhances your own colouring the best.
• If the are some colours that you love but you know aren’t great on you, you can incorporate them in small doses such as in a print or accessory. Alternatively you can wear these colours on your bottom half (not near your face).
• Make sure the colour will work with other items that you have for maximum versatility.

The most important thing is to experiment and be as objective as you can. It doesn’t need to be complicated and most people have a good natural sense of what suits them. So trust your own instincts and see what feels good for you!

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any topics or areas you would like us to cover on the blog please let us know in the comments!

Happy shopping…

Jessica