Color Theory: Building a Wardrobe You Actually Like

Heather Evered

If you’ve been around me at all this semester, you’ve probably heard about my experience getting my colors done. Yes, it was amazing, and no, I will not shut up about it. Growing up, we all saw the “what season are you?” quizzes and the articles telling us what colors we should or should not wear. People with dark hair were automatically winters, while golden blondes were summers. Well, according to a woman named Jennifer in the suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina, we have it all wrong.

Jennifer works as a consultant for House of Colours, a London-based company specializing in using color theory to help people feel more confident. At its core, it is a way of straying away from trends and creating a wardrobe full of items that all suit not only you, but also each other. As my brother and I sat in her office, Jennifer explained how they have expanded the traditional seasonal categories to be more personal. The seasons are first separated by warm vs. cool and then by high vs. low contrast. For example, winter colors are cool with high contrast, while autumn colors are warm with low contrast.

The process itself was super simple. We each got sweet, little smocks, and I even got a hair net to block what I would soon learn was an incredibly unflattering hair color. For the next 45 minutes, Jennifer tied little color swatches around our necks only to rip them off with such theatrical flair. She claimed the fast transition helped her to see the differences between colors more clearly, but it was fun nonetheless. Every now and then she remarked about how a certain tone would make our eyes look brighter or our skin look dull. Ultimately, I was declared a winter, and my brother was an autumn. I cannot confirm that winter colors necessarily make my eyes brighter, yet sitting in that chair really made me believe it.

So what are the next steps? Since getting my colors done, I have been slowly transitioning certain pieces out of my wardrobe. Will I ever get rid of my favorite pink dress? Absolutely not, but I have started prioritizing deeper colors over pastels. Jennifer told me a complete wardrobe rework usually takes about three years, maybe even longer if your colors aren’t trending at the moment. However at the end of that period, you are left with a wardrobe that matches and emphasizes your natural beauty. This is a great basis for a capsule wardrobe and for being more intentional about clothing consumption! I cannot recommend this service enough, and I would like to extend a huge thank you to Jennifer at House of Colours for getting me started on my color journey!