This weekend, why not play with colour and create an outfit around two different colours. Firstly, create an outfit that communicates more authority by using a higher contrast. Then by changing one garment using the concept of the way colour communicates which I wrote about in this post, change your outfit to communicate a…
When you’re putting together an outfit, always consider what you want to communicate with it. Ask yourself what the situation/occassion you are wearing it. Who you are going to be interacting with, and how you want to be perceived. Then you can use this knowledge to choose the right combination of colours and contrast to…
Contrast is a hot topic amongst my 7 Steps to Style and Evolve Your Style program members, because once you see its impact, you can’t go back to ignoring it. It’s an important part of any personal colour analysis – discovering how to wear your ideal colours (not just what they are). Colour contrast =…
Recently I’ve been having fun playing with my scarf collection. Tying them in different ways (check out these 32 ways to tie your scarves), and using them as outfit colour scheme inspiration. Creating Colour Schemes Here I’m using a scarf (that was my grandmother’s) and have used the colours in it to create my outfit…
Jill Chivers of Shop Your Wardrobe discuss the eternal question of which comes first when you’re shopping for clothes … colour or style? Why Colour is the most Important Factor when Choosing Garments We both agree that colour the most important factor when choosing a new garment. We discuss why colour is more…
What is a neutral? Basically, we define most neutrals as colours that are ‘off the colour wheel‘ – as in we don’t give them a name of the rainbow colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet) so we’re talking grey, brown, white, black, tan, camel etc. These are bascially the non-colours. They are created by…
Have some fun with your colours this weekend. Why not play with contrast – either Value Contrast or Colour Contrast and by adding an accessory near your face such as a scarf or necklace, or alternatively use a layer – such as jacket or cardigan to create the contrast over what you’re wearing. Notice…
I have a style challenge that I need help with. I am a Spring according to the color theory websites. I am the one season that does not look well in black, in fact, I have given away my black garments with the exception of a black dress that I only wear to funerals. My…
It’s time to add some colour to your life and your outfit. This weekend’s style challenge is to add a pop of colour to your outfit. Add an accent colour from shoes, belts and bags to jewellery. You can choose one or even mix a couple together if you choose. Here are some posts to…
Welcome this Inside Out Style Weekend Style Challenge. It’s new, it’s fun, and it’s your chance to share your style! The weekend can be a great time to have a moment or two to reflect on your style. There may be fewer restrictions on what you can wear (if you have to stick to a uniform…
People tell me all the time that they’re not sure how to mix and match colours. And it’s true, there is a whole science behind it (and it helps to understand colour properties, and terminology which I’ve written about here), but if you don’t want to even have to think about the theory, why not…
I read this article in NY Magazine about a woman who only wears blue and it made me think… If you could only wear one colour for the next year, what colour would you choose? For me it would be blue. But I couldn’t limit myself to just one shade of blue, there would be…
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you’ll know that I really believe with a passion that colour can change your life and it’s a super important part of your clothing and style decisions. It’s not only because I can see in my own life and experiences of the colours changing other’s reactions…
Colour and value contrast are two concepts that readers ask me a lot of questions about and are hot topics in my 7 Steps to Style program (where I give my professional opinion on members colour and value contrasts as part of the program). To demonstrate just how much of a difference wearing the right…
Imogen, I would love an article on how to incorporate medium value colors when one is high contrast, and how to use our bright colors to increase contrast even though they are not necessarily light. I’m medium high contrast and am puzzled by the medium value colors. How to Use Medium Value Colours with High…
Low Value Contrast means colours that are only 1-3 shades away from each other (on a grey scale such as this): It doesn’t matter where on the grey scale the items sit, just they need to be close to each other in depth of colour. What it doesn’t mean is that the colours have to…
“There’s no brown downtown” It is a saying of my gorgeous and super talented image consultant friend and colleague Sarah Brummitt from London. You don’t wear brown in the traditional corporate world (think big finance) in big cities like London and New York. Why no brown? Brown is about stability (think about the tree trunk…
There are lots of great colour schemes you can put together in your outfits to create interest and excitement in your outfit. So many people tell me they don’t know how to mix colours, and really it’s not hard. There are a few key tips to consider. Mix colours of similar intensity Mix colours of…
Pink is an interesting colour. It’s basically a tint of red (a tint is a colour with white added to it). The closer the colour is to red the more it takes on the psychological properties of red. The more white in it, the softer it becomes and the more of the purity and openness…
Prints and patterns can add variety and interest to your outfit and wardrobe. Ideally choose a print that relates to your own value contrast. But should you wish to wear a print that is outside of your natural value contrast then here is the easy way of choosing one to flatter. I think of value…
Colour has such a profound impact on our appearance. It really does. Because of this impact, I’m passionate about colour and you will see me wearing colour more of the time than less. It can make you look: younger or older brighter or duller more vibrant or more tired I don’t know about you but…
