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