When you feel good you look good. So, no matter the season or the temperature outside, dressing for your body’s color temperature will always add a glow.
Are you wondering whether your lime green sweater will look good with your brown hair? Is that grey coat the warmest thing you have in your closet but makes your olive toned face look ashen? Your skin tone ‘temperature’ makes all the difference.
When you want to decide on what colors in your winter wardrobe will have you looking and feeling your best, you have to first determine whether you are you a warm-toned or cool-toned person. It’s not as simple as looking in the mirror, though.
The colors we are attracted to aren’t necessarily the colors that flatter us. Colors create balance in our lives, and the healing energies from a particular color may draw us in despite the fashion-forward, or backward, vibration of it.
Color has its own light energy. From value to luminosity, each color resonates with a different part of the spectrum and our own aura. Some colors will resonate with you better than others depending on your skin tone and also what chakras may be underactive or overactive. You may subconsciously crave the red color vibrations of the root chakra, for example, when that area is closed down.
Pay attention to what colors you are attracted to and what looks best on you for a winter wardrobe that will have you looking and feeling your seasonal best.
To get a true read on your skin tone, find two color swatches, one silver, one gold. Fluorescent light tends to distort color tones, so place yourself in natural light if you can.
Put the silver fabric next to one hand and the gold next to the other. The hand that has a vibrant glow is the color for you! If you are warm-toned, cool silver will just make your skin look drab, and vice versa. If gold and silver swatches aren’t handy, you can also look at the back of your hand. Warm skin has a slightly orangey yellow cast and cool skin is more bluish.
If you’re still not sure, or you want to linger longer with your favorite pumpkin orange sweatshirt that, deep down, you know is all wrong for you, here’s how you can come out of denial and find the courage to weed out your wardrobe of things that don’t make your skin shine and heart sing.
Hold your orange or yellow clothing next to your face. (Again, natural light is best but the bathroom mirror will still give you an accurate read for this test.) Yellow tones warm and brighten warm-toned skin. If you are really cool toned, yellow will do the opposite, make shadows heavier, skin duller.
Now that you know which end of the temperature scale you live in, you’ll want to wear clothing, jewelry and makeup that brings out your glowing best. Not so easy when the weather changes because seasonal fashion dictates color. But knowing what works best for you is half the challenge. You can stock up off season and resist the trends.
Here are some colorful facts for maximizing your wardrobe to bring out your best this season:
- Purple that has more blue or gray undertones complements cool-toned skin. Red or magenta undertones are better for warm-toned skin.
- Warm-toned skin looks best in ‘earth’ colors like red, orange, yellow, brown, pink, rust or copper.
- Cool-toned skin looks best in cooler colors like blue, purple, green, charcoal gray and, don’t forget, silver.
Still clutching that favorite sweater, maybe even wiping a tear with it? Don't worry! Being in ‘love’ is good for your glow too. If you simply must wear something that does not complement your natural tone, you can make up for it with make up, accessories or other layers.