Colour Analysis - My Thoughts & How I Can Use It For My Sewing 

When I gave birth to my son ( my first born and only) , my brother gave me the highest tier package, the make up, style of clothes, colours, and a shopping trip to look at ready to wear examples just made for me. The most thoughtful gift I've ever received. It was wonderful, but a real eye opener. I always wore light blue, light pink, grey, white, lavender. All light cool colours. My actual colours are very similar to yours, except I also have several oranges, rusts, and browns. My palate is deep and rich, and when she held deep rich, warm brown, rust, and burnt orange against my skin, it just about took my breath away. It felt like in the movies when the handsome man looks at a plain girl and takes her hair out of the severe bun she had it wound up in and took off her glasses and suddenly she was stunning. Now I'm not suggesting that I'm stunning by any means, but I no longer feel invisible, like I had felt (quite likely by choice, but thats another story) in my previous colour choices. It was a real confidence boost. Mine was labeled as warm, deep, tawny, autumn, and my best print was animal print lol. I've only just started embracing that though, because animal print was considered trashy back then. It was 35 years ago. No she wasn't saying my style was trashy, lol, just that the print looked really good on me, and it does. But I thought you would appreciate it since we are similar, and I have a feeling your clothing style would show up as very similar to mine.

What a fun thing you did with your colors! I’m thinking fabric shopping opportunity for your “new” colors. Enjoy your shopping experience.

Ruan...You are going to love having your book of colors. It's your roadmap in planning your wardrobe. If you wanted to make a core wardrobe that mixes and matches for work, your color book will be a great tool. Getting ready for work is so easy because everything goes together and you don't have to think a lot about what to wear early in the morning, especially before coffee/tea. 🤪 I love my color book. You are going to look fab in your red lip! Have fun with your color book!

So lovely to hear all about your colour analysis. My sister and I bought my Mum a colour analysis for her birthday a couple of years ago and she loved it. She now has her little book with her every time she fabric shops!! Have fun with your wonderful colours xx

The difference between the two yellows is amazing - your hair looks so much more vibrant with the mustard.

So fascinating! I loved seeing your fabrics next to you and I really saw the difference! I am amazed. 🎉😊 makes me want a color analysis

Thank you for sharing your experience. Lots of gorgeous colours for you to chose from ❤

I believe the color analysis was spot on with you. I had mine done years ago and it helped me to know just what color tones where good for me. I am in the warm family and have always been drawn to those colors without really understanding it. You will come to know yours by heart and find that you won't need to carry your color book everywhere.

First of all thanks so much for sharing your feelings. I can totally relate. That medium blue animal print looks absolutely gorgeous on you! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. xxKaren

The fabrics you put against you that were part of your colour palette made you look both beautiful and elegant. I had my colours done ages ago and always use as a guide. The style is also v interesting and has saved me a fortune. Love your videos, you come across so well I’m hooked but I’m also from Yorkshire 😊 X

I had my colours done about 30 years ago and came out as a winter. The fascinating part for me was that my wardrobe already had mostly the right colours. I still have my swatches and occasionally refer to them when I'm unsure. Instinctively we know what suits us.

Really fascinating. I love your new color suggestions. Thanks for sharing.😊

Hey Ruan, this was an interesting vlog. I too love bright colours and am very interested in getting colours done. Thanks for the info xx

This was really interesting to watch. I could tell a difference when you put the fabric near your face. Fascinating about the red!

Love your colours, I had mine done years ago and find it really valuable. Shopping gets much easier as you can look down a rail of clothes and see straight away there’s nothing there in your colours. I said in the beginning I wouldn’t change everything but bit by bit I did as the right colours go together x

I had my colours done in the 1980s. It has probably saved me thousands of dollars over the years by not buying unflattering clothes. It also makes shopping so much faster because I can zero in on what will look good immediately. I hope it works for you too.

Oooh, that's such a treat. Everyone should try to work out their best colours. The warm tones make you glow, the cool ones don't. So it's not that the cool colours look 'bad', they just don't do anything for you. My colours are endless - I'm Neutral so I can wear both warm and cool, saturated and pastel. Sounds great but it makes choosing fabrics and having a curated wardrobe really difficult - too many choices! 😆

This is v interesting Ruan. Hadn't thought of getting this done, but seeing this has made me think....it doesn't surprise me that you're warm tones. Look forward to seeing how this impacts on your memades. Thanks for sharing 😻❤

Great video, thanks😊 I shouted my daughters a colour analysis session in their twenties. It was a Christmas gift. I just thought it would save them money and a lot of mistakes in the future as they started their careers. It was good to do a group session as we could see what looked great on each other. I think at first there was a gentle resistance by each of us but one of my daughtersrecently commented to me that her washing line now has most of the colours😊😊😊 I think it well worth the investment, purchasing garments that don't suit you really is a waste of money. As a sewist purchasing fabric can also be expensive. Your best colours and neutrals really do work well together. I don't think hair colour would make a difference as long as that colour suits you. I love your hair colour Ruan, it is warm and deep. Enjoy your colours, it really helps when choosing garments and fabric. Fleur

I'm glad that you had your colors done I am 79 years old and of course retired now but I am a certified color and wardrobe and did what Tony does for many many years. With the exception of the black, I probably would have put you in the same colors. When you put the right colors next to your face it actually looks like you had a and your skin and eyes look clear and bright. Enjoy your color palette

What an amazing birthday present/treat! I had an online style analysis as part of my Me Made May pledge last year which included my colours. I keep the colour swatches in my sewing room so I can see what suits me when I order fabric as I don’t have any bricks and mortar fabric shops near where I live. I’ve got natural red hair and I’ve always struggled knowing what goes with it. Enjoy looking at your fabric stash with fresh eyes!

It’s a great experience to have the colors done , I live in the US , and just did mine , I am a twilight winter 🥶 wish I can show you my colors , have fun with it ❤

Hi Ruan. How fun -- you're going to be Lady in Red. And a bunch of other beautiful rich colors -- your palette looks fantastic. The first time I delved into colors was an adult education class 45 years ago where 15 of us passed around a box of plain color fabrics. Each in turn held up the pieces to our face and everyone else gave a thumbs up or thumbs down. The only color that looked good on absolutely everyone was teal. Your palette reminds me of Kaffe prints; a lot of the rich yummy ones have teal in the mix now that I think about it. Wishing you happy wallow time in color and fabric, Antonia

Fabulous! I got my colours done at 19 when I trained in it - though I never did it as a career in the end. I think it’s brilliant though and you look fab when you hold your colours up to your face. I’ve pretty much stuck to my colours - and love it for sewing because when I make things they go in my wardrobe. So much easier to match things! 💕

Thank you Ruan for sharing your color analysis with us and showing us examples of how it works. It is so fascinating but I know it is expensive. It use to be very popular here but not so much now. A nice for us to treat ourselves and maybe some day I will. Thank you so much for sharing. And as always you make my day.

Good fabric shops have mirrors so you can hold up and drape your fabric on you to get a perspective of how it suits you. It works every time.I've done this for 50 years. Hair colour and make-up affect colour choices. I'm full silver now and it's wonderful for colour choices.

Such an interesting video and so fun seeing the difference between those colours. Also RED WOW! ❤

I had mine done way back in the 80's and loved it. It cost $75USD so it was a treat for my birthday. I still use the little pack of color samples I got whenever I shop and it really helps. It's nice knowing that a new fabric or piece will go with what you already have. Loved the mustard print and the green top you were wearing at the end. Enjoy your summer and your bright red lips!

I've been interested in having my colours done so I found this very useful. Thanks for sharing xx

I found getting my colors done so worthwhile. I am a calm Autumn so the deep, muted, warm colors. Khaki or Olive are my friend!

So happy for you - it may sound ridiculous but I have found shopping for fabric and clothes so much easier since getting my colours done, I can skip over colours that don't suit me and focus my time on what does. Love your channel and look forward to seeing future projects inspired by your colours!

I really enjoyed your vlog and It's great you've had your colours done. You'll love your little book. I still reference my book. I had my colours done way back in the late 80's with Color Me Beautiful and their seasons, as that was the only company around then. It just explained why I never felt right in certain colours and gave me some colours I had never considered. About 5 years after that in my mid 40's I had a friend who also did colours and said that I could 'flow' into another season, which was great. I had been told I was a Winter but it turned out I could flow to spring and coral (more red than orange) for example was back on the menu. I think the system has improved a great deal. My friend also went through my whole wardrobe, chucking out or suggesting styling for what I had. All for free - sometimes friends are good mates. 😂🤣

I actually think it's great that colour analysists charge a high fee. Too often we under value our skill and experience. Just because I can't afford it doesn't mean it's not worth it lol. I'm also a warm which is too bad because I'm drawn to cooler tones.

I read somewhere if you really love a colour but it doesn't suit you, wear it on the bottom as a skirt, trousers, shorts. It is very interesting to hear all about your colours. As you get older i would imagine those colours coul change as your skin and hair colour changes. It is a fascinating science.

I’ve had my book of colors for a long time. I’ve enjoyed it a lot and refer to it a lot! It was expensive way back when I had it done but even then I thought it was worth it!

loved this video. like you, I have also been looking at the colour analysis for ages. hoping to do it this year. my hair colour is same as yours but I definitely have a cool undertone. love your colours

Hi Hi This vlog was so good. You are so easy to listen to and enjoyable. I know Toni she’s a colleague, she’s amazing and very good at what she does. You’re very kind to post about your experience when having your colours analysed, it’s truly the most sustainable way forward and a little bit of help for our planet, you not only save time and money in the future, but you look so much healthier and vibrant when you wear the shades of colour that works best for you. An investment in you for years to come. I really hope your followers visit Toni and enjoy by seeing how their shades of colour can work for them. Thanks for sharing it really helps our businesses when clients do this and or a write testimonial. Happy days.

Hi Ruan really saw the differences when you held up the dualing fabrics. One thing - though I really saw how nice the deep mustard yellow looked, adams fabric gift looked pretty darn good too because if you notice, the big splotches of blue and brown/black ARE in your color pallette and they helped overcome the not quite "your" yellow of the base color. Money well spent for better fabric choices in the future!!!!!

So great to hear you say that your gorgeous after being in a meh mood. That’s exactly what it did for me xxx

Thank you for this interesting video. I had my colours done about 3 years ago and it was eye opening! I always thought I was a winter since reading the "Colour me beautiful" book in the 80's. Seems I was halfway correct, because I'm cool, but actually a true summer, eg soft and cool. I am slowly embracing my colours, but it is a process to go from lots of black to no black! Hope your analysis will help when buying fabrics.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience..you have lots of gorgeous warm jewel tones in your palette. I had colour analysis done 20 years ago - am a clear spring and still use my colour palette, but I am really tempted to have it repeated now that I make me own clothes because when buying fabric you can choose the exact shades which suit. I also love how she showed you your best neutrals for making a cohesive wardrobe. Enjoy fabric shopping now :)

I had my colours done years ago. I was surprised to find Fuschia pink, nevers wore pink. So I bought a blouse, everytime I wore it. Everyone said how well I looked. I think colour can affect your mood.

Great video! I am also very into color analysis just like you. Anyway, I am a self- determined true autumn, because I am too cheap to pay for color analysis.😅 Anyway, I am disappointed that one of my favorite colors fuchsia doesn't fit me, because it is too cool and bright😢. My pinks have to be peachy and muted in order to flatter my warm olive skin tone. Good thing I love those too. A big NO NO color is black and bright white. I have always observed that black near my face makes me look sickly and pale. Therefore, I only wear black on the lower part of my body. I am not sad about pure white not suiting me, because off-white always has been one of the colors that I was drawn to. I think most people are instinctively drawn to mostly colors that suit them.

I had my colours done over 30 years ago and it was one of the best things I have ever spent money on. I have carried my book of colours around since then (even though I pretty much know it off by heart 😂) and it has really helped to pick the colours that are best next to my face. I remember the consultant saying that I could wear any colour I liked as long but to keep my best colours next to my face. Maybe that would work for the fabrics you have that aren’t your best colours? Or you can just wear what you want and accept it won’t be your best look. I have found some colours that aren’t in my palette but close are ok on me and others are just a complete no. I have also learnt for every fabric I don’t buy cos it is not my colours there are always another 3 that are 😂. I have never run out of fabric to buy lol.

This is so interesting. I loved seeing how much the different colours effected your whole look.

This really was fascinating. Never had my colors done. The deeper warm colors definitely suit you and I think you should try some red makes 😃 Thanks so much for sharing ❤️

How interesting! 💕 I had my colors done thru photos and surveys, but never like this. I’m going to search to try to find an in-person analysis near me.

This was incredibly interesting and informative. Your colours in your booklet are gorgeous. I’ve only been sewing for a year, and I’m buying any fabric that appeals, regardless of colour. But, I think I’m going to need one of these, just to give me a guide and direction for fabric buying.

I’ve had my colors done for years, originally with a season type program then I found one about ten years ago that is based on personality. The theory is that if you wear colors that match your personality you are better understood. For example if you are a bright fun person and wear dark bold colors then there is a disconnect that makes it harder for people to understand you. It’s fascinating as you said. I love having to not think too much about the wrong colors trends.

Lovely to hear your thoughts - I had my colours analysed 35 years ago and bought a lot of books on the topic. i even thought about training to be a colour counsellor but thought I'd missed the boat [it was around 1985 LOL] I think we do know which colours we look best in - others compliment you and you feel comfortable in them. I was so pleased I was a clear Winter [seasons in those days] but knew it before the session through my reading. I just suit a lot of high colour contrast - red, black, pure white - no tangerine or golden yellow etc - they turn my face a green colour!! As I have aged I still suit the same colours even though my hair has totally changed colour. One of the key colours is black or pure white. I think you are an Autumn but I couldn't tell from Zoom whether gold or silver suits you more. That's a great test too - which metal looks better on you. I also had the styling done as well and again it just confirmed what I knew really. Natural and dramatic depending on the occasion!! Interestingly my consultant was also immaculate so I think that goes with the territory. Thanks for sharing - you're always such fun.

I almost always wear red lipstick. I like it being so out there. Strangely enough I’m wearing pink today!

Very fascinating to hear about your experience! :-) I'm Warm and Light/warm spring.

I live in Wakefield and keep looking at that website. Like you, I’ve been thinking about getting my colours done, I struggle to put colours together and tend to use white T shirts a lot because I daren’t use more colour. I’m going to do it!

Hi, had my colours done in the early 90’s, really worth it, just reinforces what you probably already know , still have my colour booklet which I still use

Thanks so much for sharing your colour analysis experience and so pleased that you enjoyed our time together! Sorry you didn't get much footage as we were too engrossed and involved 😂. It's an investment you won't regret Ruan and looking forward to seeing your adventures exploring your best colours❤

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Use the fabrics that dont suit you, but you still like, on your lower half, away from your face, e.g. skirts and pants. And pair them up with a colour that you do suit. Then you can wear any colour you want. For example, your very pale green fabric looks like it has a hints of a green that suits you better, in it. I have also seen Trinny change her make up to carry off a colour that isn’t her best. You look stunning in red. Lady in red 🎵

Fascinating I’ve been looking into training in this xx

I had my colours done a long time ago (maybe 20 years ago) and seeing that you’ve also had it done, sent me on the search for my colours book. Can’t find the blooming thing anywhere (so far). Fortunately I can remember what suits me and mostly gravitate towards them anyway. I haven’t given up the search. It’s in the house somewhere. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Back in the late 1970s, I bought a gorgeous turquois dress I found in a dress store next door to where I worked. HAD TO HAVE IT!!! Loved the color, which is primarily what drew me to it in the first place. However, after buying it I noticed I looked jaundice in it, like I was somewhat ill looking. Wasn't just the lighting in the room, but my makeup looked so bad with it also. I'm a natural blonde (grey now), so it really wasn't my hair color that was an issue. It was all my skin tone clashing with the turquois color of the dress. Because it was a relatively expensive purchase for my salary at the time, I had to wear it. After about a year of it finally sitting in my closet not being worn, it went to charity. I can't wear bright red or coral lipstick colors either. Not sure what my "colors" are, but I know what they are not right away.

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Hi Ruan, wha ta great informative video, and you have answered some great questions . I had my colours done more tha 30 yeRsago andI yhink I was a summer. I have no clue where that swatch booklet has gone, i have moves house so many times since then, its gone! Probably woukd have a different set of colour now with my hair fading and going grey. Its a very interesting process though. Thanks for taking us on the journey. I can tell you got alot out of it ❤

That was so interesting! I’ve always wanted to have my colors done but the cost has deterred me. I do see the value in it. It’s very enticing!

So fascinating; thanks for sharing your experience and reaction. I think you'll find it easier to resist the FOMO feeling/ magpie tendencies when new fabrics come out because you can just dismiss a lot of things as being not for you. Do you think you'll be less likely to get subscription boxes now because you'll want to be more selective about the colors of fabric that you acquire? I can't wait to see how this impacts what you sew and how you feel about it. I liked hearing about how great your pink and red Shelby dress makes you feel, and since a lot of that is probably due to the colours suiting you so well, hopefully the clothes you make from now on.will capture that feeling for you more and more often.

Hello Lovely Ruan, the lovely @Beebs Kelly said she lost 30 lbs by just jumping for 30 sec a day. She has littlies so self-time is difficult. Wonder if that would help. Back to watching…Sending best wishes from Down Under 💖🥰💐🌸🌺😎🇦🇺

I'm in the US, so unfortunately Toni is not an option for me, but I'd love to get an in person analysis. I had my seasonal colors done online last month and the colors were not at all what I expected. On paper, I agree with the analysis, but I just don't gravitate to most of the colors, so it kind of created more confusion instead of providing the direction I was looking for. Maybe I just need to get used to the idea, because it does seem fairly accurate. 🤔 It sounds like Toni provided a lot of in person advice that would make a big difference!

I think it’s worth it. The colors that look best on us aren’t always the ones we are drawn to when shopping.

Ruan, I understand wear you are with how you're feeling. I've lost my sew Jo, and I think it's due to weight gain as well. But you are so motivating with your humor and personality. I just love you.. you cheer me up❤

I find it so interesting how different color analysis system bring colors out. I did House of Colour and I came out a deep blue Autumn. I was shocked. It is warm, it they don’t say “Don’t wear black” but it is not in my palette. They talk more about the colors that are better for you than black. I am not going to lie, it has been a bit of a struggle for me as I dressed like a winter for years😂😂. It is interesting that you have a pink in your palette, the closest thing to pink in mine is a coral. Did she talk about hair color at all?

Sooo excited you did this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 as you knew you’d love it and Toni is so great…and perfectly turned out ❤❤ So I’m cool, clear and deep just like my personality 😂😂😂 I was fascinated that the colours people always complement on were in my book!!!

Hi Ruan...silent viewer here...but my curiosity wondered if this is just this colourists point of view or would this be the same whoever you went to? Thankyou x

Ive started a bit of a journey into what suits me, styling and colour etc and really want to get my colours done at some point. I have found a You Tube channel called MM personal styling and she is brilliant. She has a load of masterclasses for different body shapes and how to dress them and its all about real everyday outfits - walking the dog, school run, work etc, not high fashion stuff. Ive learned lots from watching her videos and would def recommend if you want to look into dressing and styling your shape as well, alongside the colour analysis

Hi Ruan, such an interesting video. I had my colours done 20 years ago…..I going to see if I can find my booklet. Do you think they change? I remember they told me I should avoid wearing black! x

Awesome video Ruan lovely colours you're really lucky. Would your colours stay the same if your hair was your more natural colour? Or has the colours chosen been done off your skin shade only?

Was is your favorite color in your color palette? If navy wasn’t in mine 😭

Interesting. Are people drawn to colours that they suit? Not the bright yellow with dots though. That was instant that it wasn't for you 😂

I don't agree, I think you're very cool 😂😂😂😂

Ruan, make clothes for who you are today, not who you were yesterday or who you will be tomorrow! If you continue to feel frustrated that you put weight on you are only going to make yourself feel worse about yourself when you don't need to! Make a few things you will love for the today's you (maybe with draw strings or ties that you can cinch them in) and if the tomorrow's you loses weight you can make different ones! We need to stop beating ourselves up, as we get older you do put on weight due to hormone changes which is NOT our fault! Your lemon yellow animal print is exactly what she was saying with your prints. If it has your true colours in the pattern it makes the fabric actually work. I didn't think it looked that bad because of the shades of blue.

Sooooo... Your a winter jewel tones. There will come a time that you'll accept it all. I used to do this... Back in the day /85 a lifetime ago . I usually did groups of families or friends of different age groups etc. That way the group that was there could see how it actually works amongst themselves. And funnily enough they become each other's "fashion police". I was very depressed to be a summer when most of everything I wore was spring. It was only after I color draped my own family after all the training I discovered WHY I wore so much sitting and was always comfortable around spring colors. My mother is a spring and she made most of our clothes growing up. Sure just naturally made us stuff from colors she was drawn to I always considered my summer designation as "boring washed out queen Elizabeth colors". Blah I'm lucky that I have a daughter her husband and all the 3 kids are spring. I still get to sew lively spring things Another daughter is a winter and all the 4 fam are the same I have a son that's a red head winter (very very VERY rare)I draped him so many times convinced it couldn't be so.... But it is.... and one gson is fall the other spring and wife is spring. It was always fun meeting up with my clients (small community back in the 80/90's) shopping together and later they swapped clothes jewelry & makeup The hardest thing everyone usually dealt with was ALL THAT GOLD JEWELRY necklaces and earrings. During the sessions at a home of one of the participants the contents of the closet and vanity usually got pulled out and critique by the friends and relatives. And then the wine got poured. It was great fun. I think my clients enjoyed everyone's opinions of their purchases and contents of their closets... that's why I used to get so many repeat clients that went from a guest at one session to one of their own with an entire different group. It will be interesting to see if you keep your hair color???? Or go deeper?