Left Continue shopping
Your Order

You have no items in your cart

You might like
Product
$10.00
Add to cart
Online Colour Analysis
Only $39.95
The four Seasonal Colour Palettes

The four Seasonal Colour Palettes

Where did the colour theories begin?

Colour wheel for colour analysis

Johannes Itten (1888-1967) was a Swiss painter, designer and theorist.

He believed colour could invoke feelings, and I agree. What do you feel when you walk into a strong bold monochromatic office? How do you feel when you visit a warm old country farm enriched with the golden hues of the Autumn Palette?

What colours do you envisage would enhance a seaside apartment, and how do you feel when you are in that space?  Do you feel light, airy, fresh and happy in the shades of the Muted Summer Palette.

Then there are the bright and light colours of Spring and how do we feel at that time of the year, when we experience new growth and blossoms of the bright spring palette?

Itten theorized seven types of colour contrast, contrast by hue, value, temperature, compliments, simultaneous contrast, contrast by saturation and contrast by extension. He explained by using a colour sphere with the primary colours of red, yellow and blue.

He was the first to associate colour palettes with four types of people and labelled these with the four seasons.

What are the four seasons?

Four seasonal colour swatches

After many years the four seasons were developed in the 1950’s.

These four seasons reflect the seasons of nature. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

It was a clever way of grouping the seasonal colours as they reflect characteristics of the seasons they represent. Colours of the Winter season like the black sky, the white ice and grey days, paint a picture of dominant cool clear colours.

The soft muted colours of Summer-clear blue sky, soft yellow sand, soft green grass and the calypso colours that accompany our beautiful summer season.  

Autumn ushers in the mossy greens and the brilliant colours of autumn leaves with the burnished colours of the trees.

Finally the delightful and delicate and bright colours of Spring with the fresh green grass and spring collection of budding flowers.

In relation to people, a particular colour palette with loads of variety can be designated to each person.

How did the four seasons  become 12 or 16 seasons?

After many years, certain colour consultants deemed that 4 seasons were not enough to identify the numerous “types” of people on the planet.

This only managed to dilute and distort a perfectly functional and accurate way of doing colours.

The original stated whether you are warm or cool ie, Autumn and Spring warm or Winter or Summer cool.

Then once that is determined a further breakdown accessed if you were the deeper or lighter of that breakdown.

So simple and so straightforward was this system. The problem was colour consultants failed to “see”the colours against the clients skin, thereby giving a false reading.

Therefore needing more sub categories.

And so we now have a further diluting of each of the four seasons, calling Spring warm, light and bright. Summer cool, light and soft. Winter bright deep and cool and Autumn warm, deep and soft which is just a further explanation of what these four main categories are. It’s just a repetition of what they are.

Further confusion with the seasonal colours.

Sadly now we have thousands of interpretations of what each of these colour breakups look like.

If you search it out each colour analyst will have different colours in each palette, and in fact most have a combination of all the seasonal colour palettes included in each category, with the colours from each of the spring, summer, autumn and winter palettes.

This leads to ultimate confusion for the client and a colour palette they adhere to with a real miss mash of colours and a totally uncoordinated wardrobe.

 I see these clients after a while and they are not adhering to their palette at all because the palette may only have some of their colours and many wrong colours.

My final analysis on colour.

Stick to the four seasonal colour palettes.

Find accurate colour palettes that identify colours this way.

Winter colours are Cool, blue based, strong, primary and bold. They include black, white, all greys, Deep deep chocolate brown, extremely pale icy colours for contrast and the rich primary colours.

Summer colours are also cool, soft, muted and contain the deep colours of milk chocolate brown, beiges, taupes, soft grey, soft denims, burgundys, mint greens, soft emeralds, lemon yellows, muted pinks and purples, wedgewood blues, light blues and soft muted navys

Autumn colours are rich and deep and warm. Pumpkins and ochres and rich warm purples and golden yellows and warm golden browns and creams and teal and muted blues and rich warm burgundys as well as orange reds and all oranges.

Spring colours are similar to Summer colours and are often mistaken because they are the less intense, versions of colours, but they are much brighter due to the warm component and yellow base. You have lime greens and soft warm corals and peaches and warm browns and warm caramel browns and yellow beiges. Bright blues and bright greens and bright yellows are the happy colours of Spring.

 

This is just a small sampling of the colours that fit into the four palettes. All I know as an experienced colour analyst your colouring will suit one only of the four seasonal colour palettes. From there the rest is easy just start wearing ALL the many many many colours in your beautiful palette for a beautiful and colourful and co-ordinated functional wardrobe.

For more information contact Your Colours and Style.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Ros Holden
Posted on August 02, 2023
Ros Holden
0 comments
Older Post  
Back to Blog
Newer Post

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.

Blog

View all
How to add Colour to your wardrobe

How to add Colour to your wardrobe

Injecting Colour into your wardrobe

You've had your colours done. You've culled your wardrobe and now what?

In my last two blogs I mentioned the 4 deadly colours that are destroying your wardrobe and the 5 neutral colours you should have in your wardrobe.

You've removed all the wrong colours and now you're starting to build your new wardrobe. 

Sometimes when clients remove the offending colours, they may find they don’t have much left to work with.

I like to think about building a wardrobe from scratch.

Lets start with the basics.

You’ve already learned about the basics to begin with once you have extracted the wrong colours. 

Now you add the 5 – 7 neutrals in your colour palette.

You will have learned about those at your colour consultation.

I think the best way to build a wardrobe is to start with an empty closet.

Add all your neutrals that you salvaged from the cull.

You definitely can have a wardrobe built on neutrals only, but that is not what you are looking for ultimately. We want a colourful wardrobe. 

Now to add some colour.

You’re neutrals are your whites, browns, beiges, taupes, burgundy's, navys, greys, denims.

You can see with just these colours, there is a lot of variety already.

Now you’re going to think about injecting the colour.

Remember neutrals go with neutrals for example you can wear denim pants with a burgundy top.

Various beiges and taupes go beautifully together. You can throw in a bit of grey with the taupes as well, remembering to always stick to your palette.

Navy’s and whites or greys are great. Denim always is a great starter for any outfit and know that denim on denim is always stylish.

Play around with your neutrals and create as many outfits as you possibly can with just the neutrals.

Taking shots of these outfits and even creating pinterest boards can be a lot of fun as well.

So when you go to make some more colourful outfits, it is easier to start with your neutrals first.

The best outfits are the ones that have only your colours in them. So don't be tempted to stray into the other seasonal palettes. 

For example if you have white or denim jeans, every other colour in your palette will go. Imaging yellow and denim, white and green, white and  yellow, beige and pink, grey and lemon, grey and green. The possibilities are endless because you have thousands and thousands of shades of colour to choose from.

Now you have predictably made some stylish looks you can think a little out of the box by using 2 colours that are not a basic or a neutral shade.

This may take a little more boldness, but the outfits will still look fashionable and beautiful.

Imagine 2 colours together

Imagine green and pink, lemon and green, blue and yellow, mauve and pink, red and pink, red and green, mauve and green, lilac and lemon, light blue and green. The possibilities are endless as well as beautiful.

It is true that switching to your colours completely does take some effort. But the effort is well worth it.

 

If you have any more questions contact Your Colours and style Sydney

Ros Holden
Read more
5 Top Colours for your Winter Wardrobe

5 Top Colours for your Winter Wardrobe

Your 5 top staple colours for Winter

THE 5 DEADLY COLOURS KILLING YOUR WARDROBE

Last blog I spoke about the 5 deadly colours that are killing your wardrobe.

Well it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t tell you, at least 5 top colours to replace the ones you ousted.

These colours are not only to replace the one’s you’ve lost but they actually are what I call your neutral basics.

MANY STYLISTS WILL BUILD YOUR WARDOBE BASED ON BLACK

Many stylist will build your wardrobe from top to toe, using colours like black, white, grey and navy.

Some may consider these colours to be your staples but at your colours and style, as a colour consultant for over 20 years I have a different approach to colour, that works so well not only for all people but the difference will be noted more by the mature.

5 TOP STAPLE COLOURS

So here are the 5 top staple colours to build your wardrobe , I am recommending for you.

In fact you can just about create a really nice capsule wardrobe with these colours alone.

Staple colour no 1. Off white

Have you noticed some whites are too stark, some are too dull, but the off white tones (there are too many to count) are just right?

So imagine off white jeans, off white pants, off white jackets, coats and cardigans, off white shoes and boots, off white T shirts and sneakers. Off white is always a beautiful and chic option. You can never go wrong.

Staple colour no 2. Light denim

Have you ever considered dark denim to be just a little strong? And when a colour is too strong for you, it’s just plain wrong?

Light denim always looks more stylish and attractive and teams so well with all your other colours.

Light blue jeans, chambray shirts, denim jackets. Denim is always in fashion and can offer casual as well as classic looks.

Staple Colour no 3. Taupe

What is taupe? It’s sort of a very light brown. There are lighter and darker shades of taupe as well as warm taupes. Taupe is a very classy colour and just like all of your other neutrals can mix with all your neutrals. For a look that says “calm” try taupe for a welcome change.

Staple Colour No 4. Dusty Blue

Dusty Blue is lighter and softer than the strong dark royal blues, regal blues, navy blues, ink blues, electric blues, teal blues etc.

You will find this colour more soothing to the eye and just gorgeous and always classic and fashionable. Shop around it’s worth waiting for the right find to add to your wardrobe and don’t just settle for the wrong blues it’s not worth the compromise.

Staple Colour No 5 Burgundy

Burgundy has always been a rich and royal option to any wardrobe. Although it’s a very strong and somewhat heavy colour, it still gives the appearance of softness and is less harsh than black and the deeper dominant colours.

You will always get compliments when you choose to wear Burgundies, Berrys, Plums and similar tones.

So there you have 5 winners for your wardrobe. Remember there are many many versions of those 5 colours I’ve just listed , so consider the scope of shades that come in just those 5 colours. For example imagine a top to toe monochromatic look in various taupes.

For more information about your colours or how to get your colours done

Contact Your Colours and style Sydney

 

Ros Holden
Read more
4 of the deadliest Colours in your wardrobe

4 of the deadliest Colours in your wardrobe

The 4 Colours that are destroying your wardrobe

Get these 4 colours out of your wardrobe now if you’re interested in looking your best and having a functional and stylish wardrobe. 

It's these 4 colours that are setting your style up to fail especially as you age. 

A powerful style secret

As a professional colour consultant for over 20 years, I've witnessed over and over again, what is destroying fashion for women, especially mature women. 

Have you noticed the older you get, certain colours are aging you as well as making you look drab and dull? 

I’m going to share with you a very powerful secret that will save your wardrobe, your style and even your purse.

For years we have been consumed with the idea of finding out what colours suit us, but despite all the fuss, many have been deceived about the colours that suit them. 

Many stylists are avoiding colour rules and are putting style before colour. This is quiet the wrong way around as colour is 80% of your style equation. 

What are the 4 deadliest colours for mature women to avoid?

Deadly colour no 1.

Black

Coco Chanel did us no favours when she immortalized the LBD ( Little Black dress.)

Once that became fashion law, women all over the world adopted black as their most chic option. 

Trouble is black is the number one deadly colour in your wardrobe.

3 reasons why black is the deadliest colour in your wardrobe.

B  Black is a non colour.

Black absorbs all light and  has the reputation of bringing death to everything around it.

Have you noticed how dull you look when wearing black?

Have you noticed the shadow and lines on your face and neck become more prominent when you wear black?

What mood does black create? How do you feel at a funeral when everyone is in black? 

It's certainly a sad colour. 

There’s a definite heaviness in the air.

2     Black restricts your colour choices.

The misconception about black is it goes with everything. Hence we wear black pants, black coats, black bags, black shoes etc.

Black becomes the base we build our wardrobe around,

Black has a habit of reproducing itself because black doesn’t go with everything, so many people wear black from top to toe.

You may have a wardrobe full of clothes, but have nothing to wear, because black is your base colour.

Most of your outfits look drab because black is your base.

You go out to buy more clothes because your current wardrobe feels drab only to come home with more black. You try to mix black with other colours and get confused when the outfit looks uncoordinated.

    Black doesn't go with everything

As mentioned black does not go with everything.

It not only does not go with everything it stops you from choosing other multiple colours that do go with everything and do go with you.

If you don’t believe it, google any famous person and note, not only how often they wear black, but also how little colour they wear as well.

This is such a shame because most people do not utilize all their colour and unless you’ve had a proper colour analysis and have learned about all the colours that suit you, you too will be that person as well.

Deadly colour no 2.

Dark navy.

Almost all women I’ve seen over the years, fall into this deadly trap.

They know black is too dull and dark and aging so they substitute black with navy.

But they substitute black with a navy that goes with black and experience the same problems they do if they wear black.

They look dull and uninteresting in dark navy, They need to learn about the right navy's that look amazing on them instead.

Deadly Colour no 3

Dark grey

Add a bit of white to black and you get a light black, which is dark grey.

The problem with light black or dark greys' is these colours are still heavy and strong. You can find out what greys are best for you which are much more flattering. 

Deadly Colour no 4.

Dark denim

We know that denim comes in all shades from ink navy, to faded denim to bright denim blues.

The colours of denim are so varied, they can go with all and every season. The dark denim or ink blue denim is again a type of blue that goes with black also and is too strong. 

Be sure you find out the sort of denims you can wear for your wardrobe that go with all your colours and the colour denims that are flattering to you.

If you have more questions contact your colours and style.

 

Ros Holden
Read more