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When it comes to shopping for clothes do you know which colours suit you best or is it all a bit hit and miss? As an image consultant, I find that initially most of my clients have colours in their wardrobes that work really well for them and colours that just don't do them justice. Usually the items that they feel most comfortable in are those that really suit their colouring. Often the items they feel are mistakes and seldom wear are just wrong in colour, making them look older, tired or drained. Once they get their colours analysed all this changes, they know exactly what to look for to get it right every time.

There are many pitfalls that are easy to fall into when choosing colour. Some people fall in love with a colour in a shop window or on a hanger but they don't know if it's a good colour for their own colouring. Usually, when you choose a colour that you love but which doesn't look balanced with your own colouring your friends will say, "I love your top!" It's the top they notice, not you. But when you wear a colour that really brings out the best in you, you'll get a different kind of compliment. Even strangers will remark "Wow, you look fantastic!" People you haven't seen for years will tell you how young and healthy you look. If this all sounds a little far-fetched be assured that at one time I was sceptical too! I was practically dragged along for my first colour analysis but as I started to wear the right colours, I got these sorts of compliments. Week by week my clients report back to me, "It's working, what you said would happen is happening - I'm getting lots more compliments!"

Another pitfall to avoid is shopping with friends. Shopping with friends can be great fun but remember your friend (or even a friendly shop assistant) is not an unbiased image consultant trained in colour analysis. So when trying things on with friends you might say, "Does this look okay?" and your friend replies, "Yeah, great." It's not that your friend means to be dishonest! The colour may be one of her favourites so she instantly likes it even though it may be doing nothing for you. Or she might be unsure but doesn't want to hurt your feelings or knock your confidence.

Choosing colours in badly lit fitting rooms is another way people can easily get it wrong. Artificial lighting can drastically change how a colour looks on you and while you may feel comfortable in the changing room, the colour may no longer be as flattering once you get into the daylight.

So how can you be sure of choosing great colours every time? The easiest way is to visit an image consultant for a colour analysis. They will show you, in natural daylight, how the wrong colours can put in shadows, making you look tired, older, drained and even ill. But more importantly, they'll show you what is special about your own colouring and how to use colours that balance it so that the light reflects back onto your face making you look younger, fitter and healthier. They will also show you how to mix and match your colours easily to make your wardrobe more versatile. After a colour analysis, people often find that they end up with fewer clothes but more combinations to wear. Everyone can wear a wide range of colours but getting the depth, tone and brightness right for your own colouring can make a world of difference to how you look and feel.

At a colour analysis you will usually receive a wallet of fabric swatches that will make your shopping much easier. You'll save time on your shopping as you can quickly avoid the wrong colours and go straight for the colours you know will work. And you'll save money as you'll no longer buy items that you just don't wear.

Labels: Shopping For Color