I had an amazing dream last night, dreamed in colour, not in black and white!

Some of you older Taswegians will recognise that advertising jingle from many years ago. But it also describes what has happened to me the last two nights. I have dreamed colour analysis (so not in black and white!) Colour analysis being colour consultant speak for when we work with a client one on one to help them
become aware of what colours suit them the most and what colours will be best
in what kind of situations.

So, night before last I dreamt that I was talking to a group explaining the difference it makes to our appearance when we wear colours that flatter us near our faces. That’s a fun chat.

But last night I had a vivid dream where I was talking to a lady, probably in her late fifties. She had soft mid blonde hair, possibly topped up by the hair dresser, but done
well, nicely cut at jaw length and well styled.

She was wearing an office appropriate knee length dress in black and white patterned fabric and a cream jacket. She was at work and she asked me the question, should people with autumn colouring, which she had, soft autumn (warm skin tone but not a huge amount of contrast between hair, eye and skin) try and wear more expensive fabrics, is this what suits them most?

Now obviously this was my dream brain and the question is not one I have ever been asked before, but the concepts underlying it is worth addressing.

Two stand out to me right now

1. Do people who look good in the same colours also look good in the same styles/fabrics

   
   

2. And underlying this first concept is the fact that different people look better in certain fabrics than in others.

   
   

   So, let’s start with second things first.

   
   

   Certain fabrics do fit certain body shapes better, and certain style personalities have a greater affinity to certain fabrics than others.

   
   

   For example, curvier body types often look good in fabrics that follow the shape without clinging, like well cut ponte. They often do not look as good in linen,
   which if not pieced well tends to launch off our curves and not come back in
   for our narrow bits.

   
   

   Conversely someone who enjoys a natural aesthetic to their clothes often loves stiff woven linen for pants or jackets, even shirts.

   
   

   Now for the first question, do people who look good in the same colours often share an aesthetic or style preference? They don’t all share the same body type, but do they all share the same vibe?

   
   

   There is a whole school of psychology around colour analysis. And some people would say that yes, autumns as a group tend to be intense and down to earth, among other things. They often gravitate to ‘natural’looks – like boho skirts, rough woven jumpers etc, and although it is having a good moment at the moment in certain wardrobes it is not suitable for all work places or situations, so in answer to my dreaming question, yes some autumns need to be encouraged to buy more expensive looking fabrics!

   

   
   

   An outfit in classic autumn colours, also with the casual bohemian vibe often attributed to autumn ladies.

   
   

   Summers are often stylised as being ‘ladies’- classic types who match their shoes to their hand bags. Winters, with their dramatic colouring are some times typified as dramatic in their styling and personality as well. Think avant guard, or just generally happy to dress for attention.

   
   

   Springs, often are portrayed as ‘romantics’, sunshiny personalities in lace and florals! Any one see themselves here? Maybe, maybe not, eh?