Have you ever put on an outfit that looked great on the hanger, but somehow just doesn’t look quite right when you put it on? Maybe you’ve noticed that some colours make you look fresh, while others seem to make you look tired and washed out.
It could be that you’ve never discovered your best colours. Colour analysis isn’t about telling you that you can never wear certain colours again. It’s about understanding which colours naturally harmonise with your skin tone, eyes and hair, and learning how to use them to your advantage.
I really believe this can become particularly useful in your forties and beyond.
Why can our colours matter more in midlife?
Our skin, hair and overall colouring can subtly change as we get older. You may notice that your complexion looks a little different to what it did in your 20s and 30s. Your hair may have changed colour, whether naturally or through colouring, and the contrast between your hair, eyes and skin may have softened.
At the same time, many of us are also experiencing changes in how we feel about our appearance. Our bodies change. Our style changes. Our priorities change. Sometimes, the clothes we have always relied on simply don’t feel quite right anymore. This is where understanding colour can be surprisingly useful.
The right colours can make you look more vibrant
When you’re wearing colours that harmonise with your natural colouring, they can help your complexion look brighter and more even.
The wrong colour isn’t going to suddenly make you look ten years older – but you may notice that certain shades make you look a little more tired or draw attention away from your face.
The right colours tend to do the opposite. They can make your eyes appear brighter, bring warmth or freshness to your complexion and create a more harmonious overall appearance. And importantly, the colour should work for you – not the other way around.
It can make getting dressed much easier
One of the biggest benefits of colour analysis isn’t actually about appearance. It’s about making your wardrobe easier to use. Once you know the colours that suit you, shopping can become much less overwhelming. Instead of buying something because you like the colour in isolation, you can start asking: Does this colour work with me?
You can also begin to see connections between the clothes you already own. Perhaps that beautiful jacket you’ve always loved suddenly makes sense when you pair it with the right shades underneath. Or maybe you discover that the reason you never felt quite right in black isn’t because black is “wrong” – it’s simply not your most flattering neutral.
Knowing your colours gives you a framework. And that can make getting dressed feel much simpler.
You don’t have to stop wearing your favourite colours
This is something I think is really important. Colour analysis shouldn’t be about a list of colours you’re allowed to wear and colours you shouldn’t wear. If you absolutely love a colour, I would never tell you to throw it away!
There are lots of ways to wear colours that aren’t necessarily your most flattering near your face. You might wear them in trousers, shoes, handbags or accessories, or combine them with one of your more harmonious shades. It’s about understanding the effect colour has – and then deciding how you want to use that knowledge.
Colour can also change how you feel
This is the part I find particularly interesting. When you look in the mirror and think “I look good today”, it can change how you carry yourself. It makes you feel more comfortable and more put together.
It’s not about wearing something dramatically different. It’s simply about making a few small changes that help you feel more like you again. That’s why I see colour analysis as much more than a fashion exercise. It’s about confidence.
Midlife is a great time to rethink your style
Your forties can be a brilliant opportunity to reassess what you actually like, what suits your lifestyle and, importantly, how you want to feel in your clothes. It could be that the colours you wore in your twenties don’t excite you anymore. Or maybe you’ve accumulated a wardrobe full of clothes but still feel like you have “nothing to wear”. Or perhaps your body and colouring have changed and you’re not quite sure how to dress in a way that feels flattering and authentic.
It doesn’t mean you need an entirely new wardrobe. It may be that you simply need a better understanding of what works for you now.
Your best colours are about more than looking good
For me, that’s the real benefit of colour analysis. It’s not about following fashion rules or trying to look younger. It’s about understanding what makes you feel good. When you know your colours, you can shop with more confidence, build a more cohesive wardrobe and it makes getting dressed a little easier.
And perhaps most importantly, you can start looking in the mirror and recognising yourself again.
Are you ready to discover your colours? Colour analysis is one of the elements I include within my coaching programme, Health+Style Method™- helping you understand the colours, shapes and styles that work with you – rather than simply following what’s currently trending.
Because when you feel good in what you’re wearing, it can have a surprisingly positive effect on how you feel about yourself.
Feel well. Live well. Dress well.