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