A friend recently told me that she doesn’t really wear colour in winter but sticks to black, brown, beige, grey and navy.
I think designers tend to produce collections in darker hues for winter and culturally there is a perception that winter is a time for dark colours.
But I think it is essential to incorporate colour into your wardrobe in the darker, dreary months. It can affect your mood in a positive way and impact on your sense of wellbeing, not to mention how others view you.
Strategic pops of colour in your scarves and handbags break up the neutral winter tones.
Here’s a little colour psychology for you – white denotes purity and freshness whereas black portrays an air of authority. But black is also a safe colour to hide behind.
Brown signifies a friendly, relaxed shade, but it can also be considered a bit boring.
Blue conveys trust, peace and order, and dark navy is associated with authority (for instance in a police officer’s uniform).
Medium shades of blue such as cornflower, powder blue and sky blue are all great for brightening up your darker navy and greys.
Pink suggests femininity, gentleness and empathy. The right hue of pink, whether blush, powder, cyclamen or fuchsia, can give a flattering lift to the complexion when you are feeling a little off colour. Try it with a dash of lipstick or a scarf, rather than worn head to toe.
Purple shows creativity and is the colour of spiritualism and meditation. It is also a great alternative to black and navy. If you’ve never worn it, try it as you will be surprised at the effect it has on others.
Red is the colour of energy, denoting confidence and control. It stimulates rather than relaxes and always reminds us of Christmas.
Green, on the other hand, conveys a sense of calm and reassurance.
With the exception of black and white, it is very important to know whether you should choose a warm, yellow-based hue of a colour or a blue, cool-based one as the undertone has a huge impact on your features.
The right shade should light up the face, and skin will look fresher and eyes are enhanced.
However, the wrong shade will emphasise the shadows around your eyes and chin and give you an uneven skintone. It will drain you and make you look tired.