Color Play, Pre-Fall Edition

fall colors, Eileen Fisher cardigan, Jeffrey Campbell mules

Have you ever had your “colors done?” I was pegged a few years ago as a Light Summer, and as pretty as those colors are, they just don’t inspire me the way that rich fall colors do. I do think we all have colors that we look “better” in, but limiting myself to a palette of two dozen very specific colors feels just too constricting. (Not that I wear a lot of color, but when I do, I want it to be color that speaks to me.)

I’m infatuated with these rust-colored suede mules and have been wearing them frequently. I’ve been wanting try them with this burgundy/russet Eileen Fisher cardigan I purchased last year, and am chalking this combo up as a keeper. Though it won’t last, our weather’s been cool enough in the mornings and evenings for a lightweight sweater.

Wearing: necklace 1 | necklace 2 (similar) | cardigan (similar) |
tank | cuff (similar) | jeans | bag | shoes

French Kande necklaces

That silver necklace is from the new French Kande “Tuileries” collection. They’ve added several new medallions, and this “Heart Stack” Medallion is one of my favorites.

Clare V leopard clutch

The bracelet was purchased a couple of years ago in Paris, and is still one of my favorites. It just goes with everything, and coordinates nicely with my French Kande pieces.

What are your favorite color combinations to wear for fall?

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31 Comments

  1. That color looks great on you. I think there might be certain colors that are really flattering on a person, and others really unflattering, but then there’s a big spectrum where it all depends on the light and your makeup. You’re doing a bold lip in this photo, and it stands up to the color of the cardigan. A very neutral palette might call for similar makeup (again, it depends on what you’re doing and where–lots of factors to consider).

    1. francetaste, thank you very much! I agree that there’s a probably a broader spectrum of flattering colors for all of us. It can also depend on the lighting, the fabric, and yes, our makeup.

  2. I have had my colours”done” too Susan.
    I was told I was an Autumn… lucky as I love the palette.
    However, I also love other colours that are not supposed to suit me at all.
    Adding a lippy or a scarf can help but ATTITUDE is key.
    If you love it it automatically looks great.
    You love these tones so therefore they look amazing.
    Easy!
    XXX
    Samantha
    http://www.fakefabulous.com

    1. Samantha, thank you! I agree that attitude is so important, no matter what we’re wearing. If we feel good in it, that comes through!

  3. I’ve bought some of my favorite jewelry in France…I savor each piece! But then, I tend to “save” them as I want them to last. Not a very useful philosophy, no? The bracelet would be one of my favorites too.
    As to colors: no, I’ve never had my colors “done”. I just know what I like and feel comfortable in, and as Francetaste said, it all depends on so many other factors at the time!

    1. An Eye For Detail, my grandmother used to say, “there’s no point in having nice things if you don’t use them,” so you might want to pull out those favorite pieces and enjoy them!

  4. I love autumn colors and they are the only colors that flatter me. In youth I had golden auburn hair, fair non-pink skin and green eyes. Now I’m older and a bit faded and can’t maintain that auburn hair color, I’m a subtler sort of strawberry blonde. I need to modify my palette of flattering colors – I wish I could get a skilled color analysis, I tried locally but the one place I found seemed to have just the simplistic four season approach.

    Color matters a lot to me – I just can’t stand to wear a non-flattering color. I really look (and feel) awful in cool or bright colors. I do most of my shopping online and don’t much like to shop in stores. Any suggestions?

    1. Carolyn from Oregon, you are talking my language. May I suggest one authority to look into? It’s color expert and stylist David Zyla. He is one proponent of echoing your personal coloring in your choice of clothing colors, and he is widely known and appreciated for popularizing this concept.

      Here’s a little intro into some of his thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MEnGoysIng

      You might have to make allowances for the breathless interviewer! But notice how nicely he (Zyla) is dressed– he echoes his body colors beautifully. (From what you have said, he may have something similar to your coloring.) He always seems to be sporting gorgeous olives, teals and tangerines and looks great. Two of is books are “The Color of Style”, and “Color Your Style”– that’s the one I have.

      His whole point is that if you choose colors that reproduce your own coloring, there is a lovely harmony that occurs. I don’t necessarily buy every aspect of every theory, but it might be fun for you to explore…

    2. Carolyn, it’s tough when so many retailers change their colors so often. I hope the resource nell suggested is helpful to you.

  5. I agree with your thoughts on wearing “our” colors v. the colors we feel good in. With my reddish-brown hair, freckles and green eyes, I’m definitely an “autumn,” but I don’t feel my vibrant best dressed like a pile of autumn leaves. I gravitate toward blues and greens, with browns as my base color. You look smashing in those warm reds.

  6. I agree! I don’t like to be limited, but know there are colors that suit me best. I’ve gotten several color analyses done over the recent years. Always conflicting outcomes. That makes it very confusing and I, therefore, have trouble narrowing down my look to something that totally works! I, too, feel more at home in the more “autumn” tones, but that is sometimes hard to do in certain seasons of the year, like spring and summer. Any suggestions? I love the combo you are wearing today, Susan, and appreciate your wonderful style and love reading your posts! Wish the French Kande items weren’t so pricey—love them!!

  7. I love that slightly clashing look of colors in shade that are near each other on the color wheel but differently skewed towards yellow or blue. I’d do the red more scarlet with pink, being a blue undertone person, but the concept is the same. BTW, I don’t tag you as “summer” at all – I think of you as better in yellows than blues, but what do I know?

    1. Thanks, Lisa! I love a rust and pink combo too. And every time I’ve had my colors done, I come out a different “season.” According to Imogen, our colors can change over time. (I know my tones have become cooler.)

  8. Susan, I love this outfit. There’s something about the combination of russet and burgundy that’s so interesting, especially with the leopard print bag.

    I’ve been trying to figure out my colors for decades, and it’s been difficult. Finally I’ve concluded I’m a combination of summer and spring. I have very light blonde hair with lots of yellow in it, blue eyes with a bit of green and topaz, and blue-red skin. Combinations of warm and cool colors seem to work well on me, but I’m still learning.

    1. Cathy, thanks very much! I do agree it’s sometimes hard to figure out our best colors on our own; it’s complicated!

  9. I, too, am an autumn or a Type 3 in Dressing Your Truth. Since having my colors and makeup done, I have learned to bring those colors into my outfits. I should avoid white and black, but certainly couldn’t afford to toss all my black/white stuff and wouldn’t want to. Like you, Sue, I would feel confined if I couldn’t dabble in other colors. But, I must say, wearing autumn shades near my face is most flattering.

    Love that sweater and your leopard bag. Leopard always adds a bit of pizzazz!

    1. Kristien, thanks! When I did the DYT quiz I turned out to be a Type 4, but think my secondary is type 3. I think of all of these color/style systems as guidelines not rules, and that we should wear what works and makes us happiest.

  10. I gasped when I saw your cardigan. That is simply beautiful. The color and the shape are perfect.

    Most of the compliments I receive come when I’m wearing turquoise (and warm teal), olive, warm rusty browns, and peridot green. I like how I feel when I wear those colors, too, so I guess they’re mine and I wear them year round — when I’m not in “academic black.”

    1. Thank you very much, bellsonme! It sounds as though you’ve figured out your best colors, congratulations!

  11. I adore colour. Rust especially. I think it is a great colour for everyone. Jewel tones I think look great on everybody.

    Love the outfit and seeing you wearing colour. It looks great on you!

    bisous
    Suzanne

    1. Thanks, Suzanne! Rust has always been a favorite of mine too. You look fabulous in it, especially with your hair color!

  12. I just had this conversation with a friend. I’m an autumn and gravitate towards those dusty fall hues when I wear color. Normally I’m most comfortable in grays & blacks – that seems to be the majority of my wardrobe these days. In the past, I’ve tried to buy colored items, but they end up hanging in my closet unworn. One color I do wear occasionally is red – so this rust sweater would work well – it certainly looks good on you.

    1. Cyndi, thanks! I’ve had the same experience with colored items not being worn, but that was often when I was trying to wear the “right” colors, and not necessarily the ones I love. It really all boils down to wearing what makes us feel good though.

  13. I love this post. I’ve had my colors done and I’m a soft autumn. I really appreciate the seasonal color theories and feel so different now that I’ve jettisoned all the black. I enjoy when you post outfits/options that are in colors, even when they’re not ‘mine’. So over black!

    1. Thanks so much, Kate! I still love wearing black (and how I feel in it) but I’m also entranced by a lot of colors now. So expect to see a little of both! 🙂

  14. Had my colors done by a well-trained person who both draped four women present and explained to us that it’s the color reflecting to your face that effects perception. My best colors may be cool-muted (summer); however, I can wear an orange dress with a scoop neck as my skin rather than dress color reflects light to my face