How To Pick Clothes In Colours That Flatter

I would like to start this post by saying that I certainly don't consider myself a style guru and don't profess to know everything about fashion or style which is why I don't often post 'how to' posts. I quite regularly wear stuff that looks bad including light grey which really doesn't suit me. This partly comes down to just not believing that a colour I really like (actually I love most colours) could look so awful on me and partly I think a rebellious streak which forces me not to obey rules.

I do however spend many many hours writing about fashion (some times 10 articles per day) and along the way I have picked up a few tips. I am gradually coming round more to following the rules. As I get older I don't think I can get away with so much rule breaking as I used to. People just aren's so understanding about the mistakes.

Each person will have a range of colours that looks good on them and makes their complexion glow. They will also have a range of colours that makes them look drained and tired. For me my colours that look best are yellows, olive, khaki,brown, dark greys, reds, oranges, white, cream and some dark pinks. I look better in rich and bright colours than muted or  pastel colours, except in the summer when I have a sun tan and can just about wear some pastels.

Many people will instinctively be able to pick out clothes in the colours that really flatter them, for the others like me that don't there is no harm in having a little extra help.

So here is how to do a DIY colour analysis which will allow you to always pick clothes in colours that flatter.

1. Identify whether you have a warm or cool skin tone. Warms will have undertones of olive, yellow and orange and will tend to look best in browns, reds, oranges and yellows. Cools will have undertones of blue, purple and rose. They will tend to look best in pinks, purples and greens.

2. Look at the contrast between your hair, skin and eye colour. Generally speaking the more contrast, the brighter the colours that you should pick. If you have brown eyes, brown hair and tanned skin (little contrast between them) you will probably look best in muted pastel shades.

Image credit

3. Get a mirror and look at the pupil of your eye. Any of the colours that you can see are likely to be colours that will be flattering for you to wear.

4. Speak to your hair colorist and ask their advice, they spend all day picking out which colours will look best on people.

Catherine Zeta Jones in Versace at 1999 Oscars - Image Credit

5. Finally and this is my favourite one , pick a celebrity with similar colouring to you and look at what colours they wear on the red carpet. They are bound to have paid a stylish loads of money to pick out their dress or it may have been designed just for them. You get to benefit from this knowledge for free! My celebs are Catherine Zeta Jones, Angelina Jolie...

If you do use any of these tips, I would love to know if you have discovered any new colours that flatter you (or any that don't). More importantly please comment with who your 'colour celebs' are.

Ceri X