The Enigmatic Palette in the Absolute Colour System of 18 different colour directions is Smoky, Warm and Dark. It is related to the Autumn palette in the seasonal colour system but is more muted and dusky and has lost some of its obvious warmth with the additional grey. Medium-dark to dark hair, and may be greying, or have soft light to dark brown hair.
Enigmatic colours and value contrasts they work best for.
Great neutrals for the Enigmatic palette include all softer versions of taupe, deep olive, marine navy and warm grey as well as a range of warm browns. Find out more about why these make great neutrals for the Enigmatic palette.
And lastly some prints and patterns in the Enigmatic colours – what to look for and who suits each sort of pattern- with value and contrast information in the video below.
Remember, when shopping, don’t buy anything you don’t love just because the colour works – you want to have a combination of both colour and style and of course the garment must express your personality and style recipe too! If you want to figure out what all these are for you and find your authentic style – you can get an online colour analysis here or if you want a full body, colouring, personality and wardrobing program then join my 7 Steps to Style program (you’ll also discover your palette of colours too).
Further reading:
How to Create Dramatic Outfits When Your Most Flattering Colours are Soft and Smoky
Imogen, I love the enigmatic palette, and was so happy to see your print suggestions.
Since I started following you, I have learned so much and have slowly been working on building a great wardrobe. I’m so glad that you teach the difference between color and value. I used to teach quilt making, and I made a class to demonstrate that in making a quilt, value usually takes precedence. But, for many years I didn’t apply that to myself, since the limited media emphasis was on finding your perfect colors. That was mostly an exercise in frustration for me, because I didn’t fit exactly into a four season palette. I am much more comfortable in my color choices now, and realize I don’t need a technicolor wardrobe. I just need the ones that are the best for me!
Imogen, great advice tidbit that you shouldn’t “buy anything you don’t love just because the color works”. Thanks for adding your post to the Fine-Whatever link-up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I’ve just discovered your blog and am really enjoying it. I find myself in contrast to something you have said about aging though. In my youth, I had dishwater blonde hair and light-medium beige olive skin, eyes were and still are deep brown. I am now 50, and my hair has darkened over time to a medium golden brown, especially after my last baby was born 10 years ago. It seems to still be getting darker, (only a few grays if I search for them). My skin has developed rosacea on my cheeks and nose and I have a perpetual rosy “glow”. What I am saying is: I seem to be moving from low contrast and low color, to higher contrast and more color. I read that usually we get cooler and less intense as we age. Is this situation unusual?
I notice that skin becomes more coloured often with age (rather than less – hair loses pigment, but skin gains) and as your hair is darkening then you are getting more value contrast – not unusual -and 50s isn’t old! When I talk about losing pigment I”m meaning going grey/white which hasn’t happened to you.
Imogen, all of this information and the presentation and shopping links, is super helpful to me. Just what I needed. Many thanks!
Fantastic – glad to help!