Fahion Tips: Full wardrobes and nothing to wear

Sep 4 2008 Julia Cummings, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

For those of you who end up wearing 20 per cent of your clothes 80 per cent of the time, this article is for you! I have had many clients who complain that they have a wardrobe full of clothes yet still have nothing to wear.

So before you start to even consider further shopping mistakes this autumn, it is worth taking a moment to consider what you actually need. Do you buy on impulse or does your wardrobe have a colour theme? Are your drawers full of one-off items or do you have more of a 'capsule' wardrobe?

Investment buys are those items in your wardrobe which, although they may cost a little more, will have longevity and will complement your more seasonal 'trend purchases'. Examples would be a pair of tailored trousers, a beautifully-draped skirt, a business suit or a goes-with-everything jacket.

Choose two or three 'base' colours for your investment buys and then team them with the right shades for jumpers, blouses, accessories etc. Then you will always have something to wear.

But what are the right colours for your investment buys? I have seen hundreds of women and men for colour analysis, which has helped them understand how wearing the right shades next to their face can really make them look and feel ten years younger - and healthier too.

When you wear colours next to your face, the light reflects upwards casting either flattering tones or dark shadows, depending on your own individual hair, eye and skin tone colour.

'Colour Me Beautiful', the original colour consultancy, looks at colour not in the four seasons as some colour analysts still do, but as six dominant groups which have two sub-group levels.

For the purpose of this article, I will explain which are the right colours for investment buys this season for each of the six dominant colour types:

LIGHTS:

You have very fair hair and pale blue or light green eyes with pale eyelashes and delicate, almost porcelain skin tone which burns easily.

Best Look - Wear light or medium depth colour next to your face to avoid being overpowered by strong colours. Shopping may be more of a challenge in the autumn/winter, especially when looking for a coat or jacket.

Investment Buys - Rose brown, taupe, pewter (avoid black!)

DEEPS:

You have dark brown or black hair with dark eyes, eyebrows and lashes. Your skin tone ranges from porcelain to black.

Best Look - Wear strong, dark shades next to your face and contrast these with brighter, lighter colours. Black looks great on you. Avoid pastel colours.

Investment Buys - Black, dark navy, charcoal grey and very dark brown.

WARMS:

Your overall look is warm; you have red-toned hair with brown, green or blue eyes. Your skin may be freckled or darker toned with a golden glow to it.

Best Look - Colours with a warm (yellow) undertone will look great on you so autumn is really your season. Go for golden shades and avoid baby pink at all costs! Investment Buys - Chocolate brown, olive green, bronze

COOLS:

You have white, ash or grey hair with a cooler skin tone than it maybe once was.

Best Look - You will look gorgeous in cool (blue-based) colours, preferably with some contrast. Wear medium to deep colours and avoid warmer colours such as beige, camel, orange. Investment Buys - Grey, dark navy, teal and spruce.

CLEARS:

You have dark hair and very bright blue, green or topaz coloured eyes. Skin tone may vary from light to dark. Best Look - Because your overall colouring is very striking, you can wear bright, contrasting shades. Avoid sludgy colours.

Investment Buys - Black, purple, charcoal and royal blue.

SOFTS:

Your overall look is soft and muted; your hair may be brown, highlighted or mousy with brown, blue or hazel eyes. There is little contrast between hair, eye and skin tone colour.

Best Look - Your muted colouring looks fabulous in blended or tone on tone colours of medium depth. Avoid harsh black next to your face. Investment Buys - Brown, taupe, charcoal and light navy.

* For an in-depth Personal Colour Analysis consultation with Julia, contact her on 01753 882 636, email Julia.cumming@dsl.pipex.com  or visit www.afreshimage.co.uk.