Winter Blues

           We’ve reached that time of the year when the snow has turned grey and slushy and the sky reflects the same dull color.  It’s also around this time of the year that I long for green grass, budding flowers, and blue skies. I grow tired of wearing leggings and sweaters and start planning for my spring wardrobe. 

            Every season presents a new palette; spring’s palette is predetermined by the Spring/Summer Fashion Week the previous autumn.  While I stalk fashion week photos and inevitably buy a few trendy pieces in the “it” color of the season, I’ve learned to stock my wardrobe with colors that compliment my skin tone, not wash it out. 

            My cool skin tone looks best in deep shades of blue, purple, green, and bright shades of pink and red.  Blue is my favorite though; navy, colbalt, royal, midnight, indigo fill my wardrobe. Just as I’ve had to accept that certain silhouettes will never fit my body, I’ve had to learn to avoid pastels and off white to beige.  They wash me out and leave me ashy-grey. 

Claire in a Who What Wear t-shirt, KUT jeans, vintage clutch

   Hilary’s neutral skin tone can sport a variety of colors.  Her best (and favorite) colors are middle of the spectrum and include dusty pink, grey, and beige.  She also looks fab in dark green and blue but stays away from bright oranges and pinks and dark browns. 

Hilary in a cashmere sweater

                    While it can be frustrating to find that the season’s “it” color does not fall within our palette, Hilary and I long ago accepted that it was best to avoid unflattering colors and stock our wardrobes with colors that compliment our skin tones.  This method both helps a sustainable wardrobe and flattering colors.