Complexion & Skin - Tone

This makes it possible to camouflage figure irregularities by
People tend to select colours that are compatible with their
complexions. Colour prediction services often ignore the fact
that colours should flatter people. There are two basic complexion
types: -
(i) Warm - toned skin with yellow undertones and
(ii)Cool-toned skin with blue - pink undertones.
Colours that compliment the basic colour characteristics of the
wearers’ skin. Tones will flatter them and make them appear
healthier and prettier. Warm Skin tones should select colours
with a yellow undertones (brown, orange, mustard, yellow etc;
black and gray are earthen tones and will look good on Indian
skin that has a yellow undertone) and Cool Skin tones will be
most flattered by colours with a blue base. Using red as an
example, a rich tomato red would be most flattering to a warm
skin tone. The cool version would be a blued red to magenta.
Some lucky persons are able to wear both color palettes.
Environment:
Environment also affects the use of colour. People who live in
warm climates tend to have more pigment in their skin due to
overexposure to the sun Warm climates encourage people to
wear bright colours that compliment darker cornplexions Light
colours reflect heat making them popular warm-weather
colours too.
Age: -As one ages, the skin and hair colouring become less
intense. Harsh, bright colours and clear pastels are generally less
attractive on the older person. Just as nature softens personal
coloring by the aging process, so the mature individual should
soften their colour choice. Vivid colour contrast with fading
skin & hair that emphasize age.
Personality and Figure Shape and Size
Colour applied to the body will create a variety of illusions.
Designers should be aware of how colour can highlight parts
of the body and minimize figure problems, especially if
designing for a special -size woman. In a crowd, the lighter
colours prompt out and darker colours blend with background.
Light colours have power to attract the eye and hold attention
The contrast between light and dark is used frequently to create
effectively illusions that disguise figure problems. Contrast
accents different parts of the body and creates subtle illusions.
This makes it possible to camouflage figure irregularities by
drawing the eye to one’s most attractive feature. Dark areas
recede visually, so an area of the body that is disproportionately
large can be balanced by covering it with a dark garment. Light
colours stand out, which makes light areas seem larger than
they are especially when contrasted with dark areas.
The contrast between light and dark colour is used frequently to
create effective illusions that disguise figure problems. Contrast
accent different parts of the body and create subtle illusions.
drawing the eye to one’s most attractive feature. Dark areas
receed visually, so the area of the body disproportionately large
can be balanced by covering it with a dark garment. Light
colours stand out, which make light areas seem larger than they
are especially when contrasted with dark areas. When the bodice
is darker than skirt or pant, the shoulder and bust size is
minimized. The figure will appear shorter because the dark
value dominates the light bottom. A dark pant or skirt
minimise the hips and make the person seem taller.
Some examples of color illusions follow:
1) A garment in one color (or tones of that color) adds to the
illusion of height, especially a floor – length garment (long
skirts and pants).
2) Darker colors worn above the hipline with lighter bottoms
tend to shorten a figure
3) Darker colours recede visually, and light, bright colors pop
out. A woman with a large bust and slender hips can
equalize her figure by wearing light coloured pants and a dark
top.
4) Light colours are flattering around the face. The eye seeks out
light colors when they contrast with a dark garment. A white
collar on a dark dress emphasizes the face.
5) Bright colours focus on an area of the body, wear them to
highlight a positive feature, like a bright belt on a slim waist.
6) Bright colors (like red, bright purple, chrome yellow, and hot
pink) against a plain neutral background will visually “pop”
the shape.
7) Space filled with pattern will seem lager than plain space. A
boldly patterned blouse worn with a pair of dark pants will
make the bust and torso area seems much larger than the
hips.To acquire an eye for colour illusions, one has to study
clothing on various figure types, making mental notes about
how different colours and patterns flatter the wearer.
Other than these Season. Occasion, Fashion, Design and
Culture also determines the choice of colours.
Add Colour To Your Life:
Colour can really affect the way you feel. It can affect our health
and even change your personality. It can also alter the way
people feel about you. For example, if you were going to a party
with two people, one dressed in brightly coloured clothes and
the other in dark browns or grays, the chances are that you
would want to make more conversation with the one dressed in
light clothes. You instantly assume that the one dressed in light
is the life and soul of the party. Colour analyses: -
Purple: - Purple is regal and dignified, the colour for people
who love to look smart and sophisticated.Red: - Red is exciting and stimulating Truly the colour for
extroverts. It’s a colour that makes you look & feel bold.
Blue: - Wear pale blue if you’re in a mood to unwind and relax.
Blue is a very soothing colour because of its association with
water.
For Fair Skins: - Use - Pure white, red, gray, black, all shades of
pink, navy blue, spinach and emerald green, purple and violet.
Do Not Use: - Brown, orange, gold, beige.
For Dark Skins: - Use - Red, pure whites, fuchsia pink,
aquamarine, grayish blue, deep orange, silver, dark mauve and
fresh green.
Do Not Use: - Black, brown, gold, light orange.
Colours
Colours have a strong influence on everyday life. Some colours
have a stimulating effect, while others are more restful. Some
colours make you happy, others depress and make you sad.
Since colour has such definite effect it is important to know
how to use it pleasingly.
What is Colour?
All objects around us do have a colour. But how do they get
their particular colour?
Colour is the ability of a surface to reflect light rays. White light
is made up of seven colours i.e. violet, indigo, blue green,
yellow, orange & red and each colour has its own wavelength.
The white ray of sunlight passing through the prism when
spread outs on the white paper has a multi- coloured band,
with red & violet at each end.
If something appears red, it is because it absorbs all the colours
of the spectrum except red. Thus red is the reflected colour,
which we see. In the case of black articles all the colours are
absorbed; since no part of light ray is reflected it appears black.
White article reflects all the seven colours back.
A green fabric appears green in white light because the dye on
the fabric absorbs most of the light and reflects only light with
wavelengths, which appear green to the eye. There are different
greens because the reflected light is composed of different
wavelengths, which depend on the type of dye, amount of dye
and structure of the textile material.
Three Categories Of Colour: -
1) Primary Colours – They are all pure colours, cannot be
made by merging any colours and are called true colours – Red,
Blue & Yellow.
2) Secondary Colours – Colours, which are formed by mixing
two primary colours, are called secondary colours. They are also
called intermediate colours.
Red + Blue = Violet
Red + Yellow = Orange
Blue + Yellow = Green
3) Tertiary Colours – The colours obtained by mixing two
adjacent colours (Primary & Secondary) on the colours wheel
gives tertiary colours.
E.g.- Orange +Green = Moss - green.
Green + Purple = Olive - green.
Purple + Orange = Reddish Brown