Do you struggle to find colours that go with your colour palette from your colour analysis? You're not alone! Kim wrote in asking, "How do I determine the undertone of colours that match my Cool Summer palette?"
Understanding how to work with your colour palette is a common challenge. Here's how I approach it:
Think of Your Palette as a Guide
Your palette is like an executive summary of all the colours that suit you. It's not about matching every single colour exactly-doing that can be frustrating and limit your options. Instead, use it as a guide to find colours that are related to your palette.
Start by fanning out your palette and holding it up to the colours you're considering. For example, if you're looking at a pink, ask yourself: "Does this pink look like one of my pinks? Is it the same intensity, value, and undertone as my palette?" It might look slightly lighter or darker, or in between two of the pinks in your palette, but it looks like it could fit in there happily. If it looks like it belongs, then you're good to go.
Here's an example with my Rich palette - you can see that the pattern blends with the colours in the pattern - this is what you're looking for - and notice how the Serene swatch below blends with the floral pattern. It's the same intensity, value and undertone.
Undertone is Key
Getting the correct undertone is key to looking fabulous in your outfits. So you are always looking for colours that appear the same as the colours in your palette.
Cool colours have a blue base and warm colours have a yellow base. So when looking at greens - if the green is a yellow-green, like lime or olive, then it's a warm undertone green. If the green is a blue-based green, that's more forest or emerald, then it's a cooler green. Check out my post here about finding the undertone of greens as an example (I've got lots of posts about finding the undertone of different colours with picture examples.)
Here's another example, looking at the oranges in the Spicy palette and notice how they blend with the orange in the pattern.
When it comes to patterns or multicoloured fabrics, the process is the same. Look at the overall colour family. Are the blues, greens, or pinks similar to those in your palette? If they harmonise with your colours, then it will likely work.
However, if you hold your palette up to a pattern and it stands out awkwardly, it's a sign that those colours don't relate to your palette, and it might not be the best choice for you.
Here with this Dynamic pattern the greens and blues are all good, but the fluro orange is completely unrelated and because it's an advancing overtone, it jumps out of the
Now there are many prints and patterns that are poorly coloured, where they have a combination of both warm and cool undertone colours in them. Most of the time I'd avoid them completely as they just won't look great. Sometimes you'll find one that is mostly your palette with a tiny bit of the opposite undertone, you can then decide if the wrong undertone colour stands out or isn't too obvious. If it's not too obvious then you may decide to wear it, but if you really notice that opposite undertone I'd avoid that garment.
So many people tell me that they find it hard to figure out if a pattern is for them or not, and this is often because it's a combination. So if you're not sure, it's probably best to leave it in the stores as it's likely to be a combination and not worth your while (or money).
Watch this Video to See Some Demonstrations of Using Your Colour Palette
Watch Out for Value
Another thing to consider is value -this refers to how light or dark a colour is. For example, a Cool Summer palette is lighter in value, so if the background of a pattern is much darker than your palette, it may overpower you and not look as harmonious, even if the undertone and intensity of the colours seem right. If you have a light palette, look for overall lighter colours, whilst if you have a dark palette look for more darker colours. Everyone can wear medium value colours so these are always an option.
If you're looking at prints and patterns:
- Dark value - dark background
- Light value - light background
For example, here's a light palette Tranquil with a light background fabric.
This is something that can make a big difference to how good the print or pattern looks on you.
Don't Get Caught Trying to Find Exact Matches
One mistake many people make is thinking they need to find an exact match for their colours. This can lead to frustration, as you might feel like there's nothing out there that suits you. The key is to look for colours that are related to your palette, not identical. If the colour feels like it could fit between the shades in your palette, then it will likely work.
These colours may not be an exact match, but the swatch blends with the pattern and that's what you're looking for.
So, don't stress about matching perfectly. Just make sure the colours look like they belong with your palette, and you'll be on the right track!
The Value of Your Colour Palette
The greatest value of having a personal colour analysis and using your colour palette is that it makes it so much easier to create a cohesive wardrobe where the garments work together, giving you more versatility and the ability to create multiple outfits from each garment, this is because when you stick to your palette the colours naturally work together.
Overall the Intriguing palette above works with this fabric. Yes, there isn't black in Intriguing, but it's a smaller percentage of the pattern and it would work with someone who has a higher value contrast.
Decision-making in stores can feel overwhelming and colour is the first step to helping you find clothes that will flatter you and reduce the choices so your brain doesn't feel so fried when you're in the stores.
If you'd love to discover your best palette of colours and signature colours that really make you look wonderful, get an online colour analysis and start making better, more strategic shopping decisions. If you'd love a complete colour analysis as well as all the information you need to find clothes to flatter your body and that work with your personality, then my 7 Steps to Style online program is the way to go.