Welcome to the Weekend: Thinking About Flattering Colors

The older I get the softer my coloring becomes. Bright colors have always washed me out, but never more than now and my go-to base color, black, is doing the same thing. I always knew black wasn’t my most flattering color, but it’s so easy!

Wearing black makes dressing simple but it also needs to be flattering. The older I get the more my clothes need to work for me, not against me.

A peek into my closet reveals box after box of black shoes and boots. Yes, I’m one of those people who store their footwear in their original boxes with a photo on the side:)

My handbags are similar. Black suede, black fabric, and black leather dominate my handbag collection with a handful of other colors tossed in.

classic black dress

When I wear stark black next to my face it makes my under eye shadows look more pronounced and I look tired, never my goal. Wearing more makeup helps to counteract the life that black drains from my complexion…but sometimes I just want a softer look.

When I wear a flattering color my complexion looks clearer, my eyes seem brighter and my wrinkles seem softer. Who wouldn’t want their clothes to do that?

Paler colors are even gentler on my complexion and require less effort to be flattering.

pa;e colors for your complexion

Wearing an inherent color is the softest yet. That’s your eye, hair or skin color.

My eyes contain the exact color of this jacket and necklace, so they are the softest look possible.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never stop wearing black. I fact, I’m still away at the Reward Style Conference and have some funny anecdotes and revelations I’ll share soon about black. Stay tuned 🙂

Wearing black feels powerful, stylish, and always appropriate but it also needs to be flattering so I’ll happily bump up my makeup when I need to.

What’re your most flattering colors these days?

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

This post contains affiliate links which generate income for AWSL. Please see my complete disclosure statement here.

 

 

20 Comments

  1. I know what you mean about black highlighting the shadows under your eyes: though I love charcoal grey, it highlights the lines on my neck! However, in the top photo, above, I think the black actually is flattering, as it sets off your fair coloring so well. You also look so nice in the light neutrals in the second to last photo. It’s a very soft look. I’m trying to incorporate more of this kind of thing into my wardrobe (which is too, too black), as I’m beginning to find black a little heavy.

    By the way, good luck with your move. You are moving me toward a massive purge of my own.

  2. I had my colours done many years ago and was told I was a” Summer” colouring.but always went for greens red and turquoise and orange. Just recently I had them done as a 70th birthday present, and was told I was “Autumn”, so now wear all those colours plus very bright orange and yellow and I love it, but the soft colours look very good on you.

    1. Our coloring changes so it’s important to get them redone every few years. It sounds like the first person who did your colors missed the mark, but you intuitively knew what was right for you! Bravo, Pauline

  3. I think all of these colors look good on you. I need your opinion. I am sixty two, still blonde thanks to my hairdresser, and the last three times I have worn red I have been told how good it looks on me and how it is my color. Can that be true after not ever having worn red in my life. I mean Red Red. My eyes are blue green.

    1. How do you feel wearing it? Obviously, you like it because you’ve worn it 3 times lately! Examine the intensity, and tone of red you were wearing. Also, was it close to your face or separated by another color. As we age we loose some natural coloring so it may give you a boost. I assume you are referring to true, blue red? Is your blond a white or golden blonde?

      1. Red has never been one of my favorite colors but somewhat feel a little glamours when I wear red lipstick so I enjoy wearing it. I am golden blonde with some dark blonde undertones. It is blue red. Don’t care for the color but at my age with a very young heart, I will go for it if it looks nice.

      2. Email me a couple of pictures of you in bright light, with and without the red on and I’ll help you decide and explain why I think what I do. [email protected]

  4. The blue you are wearing above and other vibrant colors make me come alive in looks and how I feel about myself. I will feel physically drained in browns, grays, blacks and pastels. When I wear those colours I add colourful accessories to liven them up. You have a good sense of what flatters you and how that changes over time.

    1. It sounds like you have a wonderful grasp of what colors work for you too, Janet! Color is such a powerful tool, knowing how to use it is a joy.

    1. I’m not gray enough yet, but look forward to it:)

  5. Cheryl Johnson says:

    Great point Jennifer! Why do we make it harder on ourselves? I just turned 70 yrs. old and have coloring similar to yours. Black is not my friend…but, I do love it for a slimmer look.

    1. I agree, Cheryl. It’s pretty invaluable for that.

  6. Sarah K Carter says:

    The most flattering color is always a coral color with more pink than orange. Something with the warm hues to brighten up my washed out skin tone! I also like a lighter shade of turquoise.

    1. Those sound yummy! Turquoise is my fav too!

  7. I think you look lovely in every thing you’ve posted!
    I so enjoy reading your blog every day and look forward to your advice on style.

    1. Thank you so much Jacqui!!

  8. I have been trying so hard not to buy any more black because it’s hard for me to wear also!!
    In fact, I was just purging my closet and trying to give away the colors that aren’t great on me. I know there are ways to get around “bad” colors, but what you said is true—it’s easier when they work for you not against you!!
    Jodie

    1. Sooo much easier!:)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *