Style Guru Isobel Kershaw, from NHJ Style Consultancy shares her top tips
The colours we wear can affect our mood and define our personalities. Think about it, if you’re in a good mood you’ll wear something bright and cheerful, and as a result attract compliments which will further boost your confidence and attract even more positive energy. If you’re feeling low, you’re more likely to wear something safe, usually dark or dull; this will make you feel worse, not better.
Also, as we get older, wearing colour is even more important. We lose pigment from our skin as we age, so wearing colour near your face is a great way to subtly put colour back into your complexion without using make-up. Black may be slimming, but it’s also ageing and it isn’t easy for everyone to wear. If you’re still set on wearing that black top or jacket, coloured accessories are a great way of putting colour against your face and lifting the effect!
Work out what colours flatter you
Hold different colours up to your face in natural light. Be honest as you look in the mirror. Some colours flatter your skin tone and hair colour and will instantly lift and brighten your complexion giving you a healthy glow and radiance as well as enhancing the colour of your eyes. Other colours have the opposite effect, draining your natural tone and making you look sallow or tired. Certain colours may even clash with your complexion. You’ll soon recognise what works and what doesn’t.
Go for colour
Wear at least one piece of colour and put it where you want to draw attention. It might be the red shoes with the black trousers and top, or the pink handbag. Colour can work for you, diverting the eye away from all the bits you’d rather hide. Placed strategically, it draws the eye to where you want focus and accentuates your best features. Used cleverly, colour looks expensive and makes you more distinctive.
Blue - some women avoid navy because they were forced to wear it as school uniform, but it’s a very wearable alternative to black – elegant, slimming and more flattering than black if you have a pale skin tone.
Neutrals - if you’re a whiter shade of pale, a wardrobe of taupe and grey colours will only wash you out even more. Go instead for bright whites, crisp creams or brighter pastels like turquoise and pinks.
Red is the colour of danger, sexy Hollywood sirens and warning signs. No other colour attracts such attention. If you want to be seen, wear scarlet. And everyone should invest in a little red number for when they want to make an extra special impact.
Mauves - Purple is often linked with spiritually and the senses. We like to associate it with passion. This colour suits most hair colourings and skin tones. The softer tones look best on blondes and the darker shades are great for those with a tan and for curvy girls.
Pinks and other rosy shades can also suggest romance and are very feminine. If you want to indulge your girly side go for soft, dusky shades, or for a touch of the vamp wear hot pink!
Brown is the ‘new black’ and is softer and more flattering for most skin tones. It’s also a really good complement for many other colours as it is more versatile and a look kinder than black, particularly as we get older.
Black can be slimming, but head to toe black absorbs light and can drain your complexion. Opting for black every day can mean you want to blend into the background. On the other hand for evenings out a little black dress is still a hard to beat wardrobe staple.
Here are five ways to make the best use of colour in your wardrobe:
- Discover your best shades and find several pieces to mix with your neutrals
- Pick colours that are current to keep your look up to date but don’t opt for high fashion shades as they often only last one season
- Wear colour near your face where it has the most impact
- Most of us have only one or two real ‘wow’ colours so make sure you know what yours are for when you really want to make an entrance
- If you’re conservative about wearing colour, try colourful accessories. Bright handbags, scarves, jewellery and shoes are really effective.
Choosing colours that suit us isn’t always the same as choosing colours we like! A good personal stylist will advise you to experiment with colours you wouldn’t normally choose, and be totally honest with you about what doesn’t look good – even if you’ve been wearing it for years.
Find out more at NHJ Style Consultancy call 0845 430 9388 or email info@nhjstyle.com
For a fun and fashionable night out book a ticket for NHJ Style's 'Taste of Autumn Winter Style Evening' on 20 September in London. You will find out what the trends are for the new season and how to wear them as well as face-to-face style, hair and make-up tips with the NHJ Style team of professional stylists. Call 0845 430 9388 or go to http://www.nhjstyle.com/taste-of-style-evening/
