Is Color Analysis Still A Thing?

When you've been in business for any length of time, you start to recognize that specific questions come up repeatedly. One of the questions I routinely get is: What are the best colors for me? Should I get my colors done?

As a Personal Stylist, here's my opinion on this important question. It's true that some colors will look better on you than others, and you want to be aware of that. However, you don't judge that in the way you might think.

Think of it this way.  Anybody can wear any color somewhere on their body, but the color you wear closest to your face matters most because the face is the focus. 

For example, I love yellow, but a yellow top (the color closest to my face) makes me look ill. Now, there are probably reasons for that—underlying skin tones and such—but I don't need to know all of that. I can look at myself and recognize that it's not flattering. However, I could carry a yellow purse or wear pants with some yellow in the pattern., but I don't wear it by my face. 

I feel color analysis is limiting, and I don't like limits. If you're told you are a "Spring" palette, for example, and your best colors have been recommended, what happens if you see something you really like that is not in your palette?  Do you automatically pass over it?  Perhaps sometimes, but not all the time; it's not always that clear.

So, I encourage you to do your own color analysis. Hold a blouse or dress up to your face. Does it light you up or wash you out? Does it make you disappear or come alive? In my opinion, this is the only question that matters.

I'm not a fan of getting your colors done because it's only one aspect of a much larger topic.  Color is essential, yes. Color is energy made visible! But what about fit?  What about age appropriateness?  What about the image you want to portray?  All of those considerations matter, you just don't pick out one element and think you're good to go, there's more to it than that.

I recommend doing an experiment. Gather five or six items to analyze. Look in the mirror and hold each item up to your face in good lighting. Go through them quickly and see what your initial reaction is. If you need someone to validate for you, that's fine; make sure that person wants to help and not harm.  If a color is not good, put it down and move on.

See what you think looks good.  It's not mysterious.  It will be obvious.  The comparison from one color to another reveals the most essential information.  You won't necessarily know you don't look good in gray until you see yourself in red. This is how you learn to trust yourself.  It won't take long before you get the hang of it.  

Try the experiment, and if you're not feeling confident, then by all means get a color analysis. At least now, you'll know where it fits into the bigger picture. Let me know how it goes, I'd love to hear!