Wearing black and dark neutrals has been considered sophisticated and chic for some decades. It used to be that black was only worn by the grieving or for a classy night out in your little black dress (first created by Coco Chanel in the 1920s). These days black has become the safest (and honestly, boring)…
There are some colours and neutrals we label as “universal”, in that they can be worn by all. That said, the version of each of these colours varies depending on the colour properties of the colour direction. For example, the colour may be brighter or more muted and smoky. It may be a lighter or…
Over on my 7 Steps VIP Facebook group, there is lots of talk about colour contrast (and value as well) and how to make sure you have enough colour contrast in an outfit, without ending up wearing lots of different coloured garments (which may not be appropriate in some workplaces or just don’t suit your…
Colour trends are constantly on the move, just as fashion trends are too. There are some colours that stay around for longer or are almost always available, such as a version of red, or grey and of course black and white, others come and go at a faster speed. Neutrals (along with red) do tend…
Living life on the road with just two suitcases can be a thrilling adventure, but when it comes to maintaining a comfortable yet stylish wardrobe during season changes, the challenge is undeniable. Whether you’re a nomad at heart or simply navigating a limited wardrobe, the key lies in strategic choices and versatile pieces that stand…
Now it’s time for all you lovely redheads to find your best neutrals. Similarly to the blondes, brunettes and grey haired among us, redheads need to work with their natural warm colouring and look for lovely warm neutrals that bring out those shades in their hair. From camel and rust, to oxblood and aubergine. There are some…
When choosing prints and patterns for your outfits – what’s the easiest way of knowing that a print is going to harmonise with you and your colouring? There are two elements of this – the colour contrast of the print and the value contrast of the print. If you’re new here on Inside Out Style…
Hi, Imogen, I think you introduced for me a fundamental change in thinking when you talked about being primarily light medium or dark value. That was rather an aha moment. I always knew that I was summer and then cool muted and light but I was for example than trying to make that palette fit…
Personal style is more than just fabric draped over your body; it’s an outward expression of who you are and what you stand for. Every choice we make—from the clothes we buy to the way we style them—communicates something about our personal beliefs and values. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, your wardrobe can…
I’ve been asked to show you some examples of using contrast – what is high medium and low contrast, so here are examples and the 7 essential elements you need to know about using contrast. You need to understand your personal contrast levels to then choose the clothing/garments and create outfits using a similar contrast…
When you think about the value of someone with a darker skin tone, usually they have also darker hair which makes their overall value down the deeper darker end of the value scale. But what is their value contrast and colour contrast? Frequently their colour contrast is monochromatic – one colour – dark brown eyes, skin…
Accessories can be a great way of adding contrast in your outfit. You can add interest with pops of colour in accessories and create focal points for which to draw attention and encourage the eye to linger. You can raise your colour contrast. You can raise or lower your value contrast. This is why accessories…
I just wanted to say how much I love your transition to ‘grey’. The colour and hairstyle suits your cool colouring so well. I note that in the photos, you always include touches of blue that tone in beautifully with your hair and skin. Did this change entail a huge wardrobe review and discard of…
So you’re a bit scared of colour and you tend to wear black and grey and then combinations of black and grey as you’re just not sure how to add colour and you really don’t want to look like a clown. Now neutral outfits in black, white and grey abound on our city streets and…
The Colour Properties of Black Every colour has three properties. Value, undertone and intensity. Every colour palette also has these three properties as well. The colours that harmonise with your own colouring are the ones in your colour palette (if you’re not sure of your palette you can find out with my 7 Steps to…
There is so much out here on the internet about wardrobe capsules. When I started writing about them six years ago, it wasn’t something that people talked much about. Now, they are everywhere and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of blog posts giving advice on how to create your ideal capsule. But what I…
If you’re a fan of the TV show Nailed It, all about home cooks attempting to make hugely complex cakes…. when I’m giving feedback here, about having nailed your outfit, I mean that your outfit is so much better than any of those cakes turned out! Instead, I’m here to offer you tips to help…
The eternal question that I get asked repeatedly, is how to make your outfits stylish, but still relaxed enough to suit your casual environment? And now let’s add another ingredient to this mix – that not everyone likes wearing jeans – so what to wear instead so you don’t look either over-dressed or sloppy and…
Your Questions Answered in this Video 0.11 I’ve put on weight and my bust is large and low and I’m having trouble finding anything that is flattering – any tips? 4.57 I have deep warm colouring – what neutrals are best for my conservative work environment? 7.15 Why are there so few reds in my…
If you have a relaxed dressing style how do you still be yourself if you work in a corporate business environment? This is the topic of Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types and my podcast episode. Why are you expected to dress more formally anyway? Rather than consider corporate dress codes as an imposed restriction…
How Do You Plan a Colour Scheme for a Wardrobe Capsule? If you have a colour palette from a personal colour analysis this tool makes it super easy. But even then, where to start? Start with Your Hair Colour The first place to start when choosing the neutrals to base your wardrobe capsule around is…
