SELECTING COLORS FOR YOU
Jan 17, 2016
SELECTING COLORS FOR YOU
Learning Target
• Choose colors that are flattering to your body.
Red
• Warm Color• Exciting &
stimulating• Highly emotional• Can raise blood
pressure, pulse and heart rate
• Can be a great accent color
Yellow
• Warm Color• Requires the most
visual processing• Cheerful, warm,
inviting
Pink
• Warm Color• Sweet and feminine• Can be calming or bold
depending on the value or intensity
• Good accent color• Has become accepted
as a “masculine” color
Green
• Cool Color• Peaceful,
relaxing, and serene
• Easiest for the eye to see
Violet
• Cool Color• Suggests royalty
and dignity• Seen as artistic
and expressive
Blue
• Cool Color• Moves away from
you• Suggests respect,
responsibility, & authority
• Calming
Black
• Not a “color”• Positive and negative
effects• Suggests dignity, &
formality or morning and sorrow
• Strong when combined with white
• Powerful accent
White
• Not a “color”• Symbol of purity and
cleanliness• Softens edges between
colors• Suggests clarity, openness
and brightness
Grey
• Not a “color”• Can take on the
hue of what it is next to
• Needs an accent color to stand out
Brown
• Not a “color”• Masculine• Suggests warmth,
and security• Universal• Can be formal like
black• In color for
bridesmaids dresses
Orange
• Warm Color• Stimulating and
youthful• Informal but has
been used for prom dresses
• Associated with summer and fall
What colors look best on you?
• Evaluate colors in natural light, because other types of light can alter the way they appear.
• Consider:• Personal coloring• Body shape• Height
• The right values and intensities of colors will complement the right features.
Skin Tones
• Skin tones vary widely• All tones have yellow or blue
undertones, subtle traces of color seen through the skin
• To determine your tone, look at the skin on the inside of your wrist• Warm: yellow, gold, or peach cast• Cool: blue or pink
Body Shape
• Color can make you look larger or smaller, taller or shorter• Warm colors seem
to advance • Bright colors draw
attention• Light colors add
size
Height
• An unbroken block of color gives the illusion of added height• Dressing from neckline to hem in a single
color or in clothes that are close in value and intensity helps make you look taller.
• Broken blocks of color detract from height• Wearing sharply contrasting items in hue,
value, or intensity makes you look shorter.
Emphasis
• Color can be used to emphasize certain areas and diminish others• A scarf that contrasts with the shirt draws
attention toward the face and away from the body
• To minimize a waistline, choose a belt that matches the dress or pants
• Draw attention by wearing a belt in a bright, contrasting color
Analyzing Colors
• Compare various colors to your personal skin coloring
• Hold a mirror up to your face and hold fabrics of various colors underneath your chin
• Have a classmate help you with your evaluation
• As you hold up a color, watch for changes in your eyes and face
Analyzing Colors
• A good color will accent your eyes or hair and seem to give them a sparkle
• Your complexion should look healthy and glowing
• Your face will appear softer, diminishing any laugh lines or circles
• Does your face look more red or yellow with certain colors?
Analyzing Colors
• Overall, does the color enhance or overpower you?
• You may need to switch back and forth among colors to compare the effects
• Do you look better in cool or warm colors? Brighter or softer hues?
Analyzing Colors
• Do you look best in a clear red, blue-red, or orange-red?
• Is your best green an olive green, blue-green, or a true green?
• Is pure white or ivory more attractive on you?• Your goal in choosing colors is to achieve a
look of good health!• Complete the My Colors worksheet