If you're here, you've had your colors done either via an inperson color analysis, or a virtual color analysis, but are unsure what to do next.
You might feel disappointed with the color palette you've been given, or you may want to add some color to your wardrobe but aren't sure how.
Having an expert color analysis done should be empowering, but if you're new to color and are nervous about wearing it, it can feel a little overwhelming.
I'm a personal stylist and a certified virtual color consultant. Over the past 19 years, I've helped hundreds of women enjoy getting dressed by introducing color into their wardrobe in a way that works for them so they build a collection that makes them feel happy and confident.
This post shares everything I know about adapting and editing your collection after a virtual color analysis, to help you build a wardrobe that reflects who you are, feels good to wear, and lets you embrace 'off-palette' favorites in creative, flattering ways.
top three things to do after a color analysis
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR PALETTE
Take time to identify the colors you’re drawn to, as well as those you dislike; this helps you add color in a way that feels true to you. Think of your palette as a guide, not a strict rulebook. Prioritize what you love and gradually add it to your wardrobe at your own pace.
ADD COLOR AT A PACE THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Start with neutrals in your best shades; they’re versatile, and pair easily with any color. Gradually introduce a few of your favorite colors through low-risk pieces, such as T-shirts and accessories, or try a lipstick in one of your best shades. Avoid making big changes quickly, as it can feel overwhelming and may not stick.
RESIST THE URGE TO PURGE YOUR CLOSET!
Don’t rush to throw out everything that isn’t in your palette. Start with the current season, and remove only the pieces you never liked. Keep items you love, even if they’re not perfect colors - these can be paired with neutrals to make them work. Pay attention to which colors you enjoy wearing, and slowly add more of those, noting any gaps to fill over time.
What is color analysis?
If you found this post, you've probably had your colors done and aren't looking for a detailed explanation of color analysis and why it's worth knowing your best colors.
If you want to know more, check out my article: The Complete Guide To Personal Color Analysis – How To Find Your Best Colors
Brief explanation of color analysis
Color analysis is a process that identifies the colors that harmonize best with your natural features.
You'll typically receive a seasonal, tonal, or personal color palette to guide you in choosing colors that enhance your natural beauty, so you look and feel your best.
There are a variety of ways to have your colors done.
You can hire an expert color consultant, or personal stylist to conduct an in-person color analysis, or virtual color analysis.
You can do a DIY color analysis at home (I share some tips on how to do that over here), or take one of the numerous free color analysis quizzes.
A free quiz is a great place to start but it could leave you with more questions than answers than if you were to hire an expert color analyst.
Understanding your best color palette helps eliminate the guesswork, allowing you to shop more clearly and build a versatile, cohesive wardrobe that suits you and makes you feel confident and happy.
When combined with an understanding of your shape, it's a superpower!
It's a tool that (should) provide direction rather than restrictions, helping you make choices that align with your natural beauty, natural coloring, and unique style.
It's about giving you a solid foundation to express your style more confidently and can even empower you to think and act differently!
Before you do anything else - familiarize yourself with your color palette
You should feel excited and empowered to receive your personal color palette, especially if color is something you've been wanting to wear more of.
But it can also feel a little overwhelming or daunting, so I recommend taking time to familiarize yourself with your palette before you dive in and make any major changes to your closet or outfits.
Identify which colors you are most drawn to in your palette.
Ask yourself which colors you like the most, and why? Is it what they communicate, how they make you feel, or do they align perfectly with your aesthetic style?
Pinpointing which colors you like and why you like them will help you introduce color to your collection in a way that works for you.
Notice if there are any colours you're not drawn to
Next, ask yourself if there are any colors in your palette that you don't like or are unsure about.
We attach feelings and memories to colors, so if you don't like a color, it might be because it triggers a negative memory.
If you can uncover why you dislike a color, you can sometimes detach your feelings from the color and enjoy wearing it.
However, if there are colors you outright don't like and won't wear, disregard them.
Your palette of best colors is a tool to guide you, not a set of strict rules you must follow.
When you've familiarized yourself with your palette, have a better idea of the colors you like and want to introduce to your wardrobe, and feel confident moving forward, make changes at a pace that feels right for you.
how to make changes at a pace that's right for you
you don't have to make any changes!
Having your colors done and knowing your best colors doesn't mean you must wear color, it just means that if or when you decide to dip your toe into a little color, you'll know exactly what to look for.
You should wear what feels most aligned with you, so if you don't feel ready to wear color, don't.
If neutrals are your thing, you can keep wearing neutrals...only now you'll be able to wear your best neutrals.
If you do feel ready to try wearing a little color, you don't have to dive in and dress head to toe in all your hues. Stick to a limited selection of colors until you get used to wearing color.
You don't have to wear all the colors in your palette
If your image consultants done their job correctly, you should like all the colors in your palette, but if there are shades you're not a fan of, don't wear them!
Use your palette as a personal color guide rather than strict rules to follow.
Build your collection over time.
Try not to add lots of new colors all at once. Just because a color is your color type it doesn't mean you'll like wearing it.
Take time to get to know your colors, pay attention to the colors you reach for the most, and which color combinations bring you the most joy or are easiest for you to put together.
And keep a wishlist of colors you want to add to your wardrobe so you have something to reference when shopping.
how to adapt and edit your collection after you've had your colors done
You might be tempted to purge your closet of all the colors that aren't in your colour palette or that you've been told to avoid.
If that feels like the right move, go for it, but I recommend being cautious, particularly if you're a little nervous about wearing color.
Five tips for editing your wardrobe after color analysis
1/ Focus on the current season.
Assess the clothes in your closet that are suitable for the current season and leave the rest for later in the year.
The seasons can affect how you look (and feel) in particular colors, and it'll be an easier task to tackle if you split it into sections.
2/ Remove the items you never felt right in, or rarely wear.
When you open your wardrobe after having your colors done, you'll probably spot some clothes that you never really enjoyed wearing or never felt good in.
If these colors no longer work for you, give yourself permission to remove them.
If there are clothes in your wardrobe that you do like wearing, but you know they're not the best color for you, leave them in there for a bit and see how you feel about them over time.
You may find you reach for them less and less and will feel comfortable removing them further down the line.
If you DO find yourself reaching for them still, great, don't let your knowing your palette stop you from wearing the colors you like.
However, if you feel washed out or 'off', you may need to play around with layering or experiment with color combinations to feel better wearing them.
If you want to do more work on editing your collection, I have a mini online tutorial you can purchase here for only $47, and a detailed blog post to guide you here.
3/ wear the colors in your wardrobe that don't suit you if you want to!
If you have skirts and pants in a less flattering color, don't wory about those - it's easier to wear unflattering colors on your bottom half, as it's the effect the colors have next to your face that matters.
If you have tops or jackets you like the colors don't like you back, here are some styling tips to help you wear them with more confidence:
Combine the unflattering color with a flattering neutral: For example, a sweater vest in an unflattering color can be instantly more flattering when layered over a blouse in one of your best neutral.
And a colorful blazer can be diluted a little when teamed with a t-shirt in your best neutral.
Pair the color with some of your favorite jewelry in your best metals: An instant way soft a harsh color is to layer it with some jewellery in your best metal.
Mix the 'bad' color with a good color to reduce its unflattering effects: a jacket in an off color can be improved when layered over a top in one of your best colors.
More on wearing unflattering colors here.
4/ Pay attention to the colors you like wearing.
Look for colors in your wardrobe that align with your palette, and try them on; notice how you look and feel in them. You might want more pieces in those colors if you feel particularly good in them.
5/ Look for the color gaps in your collection.
Lastly, if there are any colors that you like but don't currently have in your closet, make a note to look out for them next time you shop.
How to introduce color into your wardrobe after you've had your colors done
1/ Start small and begin with a few new colorful additions.
Many of my clients are nervous about wearing color, so if introducing color to your wardrobe feels a little scary, too, I recommend you start by adding some neutrals (such as soft white, charcoal grey, camel, or beige) in your best colors.
Neutrals are fantastic foundational pieces for building a capsule wardrobe; they also come in super handy when you want to add a pop of color to your collection.
Plus, if you choose neutrals from your color palette, they will pair perfectly with any other hue in your set.
If you stop at neutrals and go no further in your color exploration, that's totally OK!
A wardrobe of neutrals in your most flattering tones and shades can be as transformational as one brimming with color.
It will not only make a world of difference to how you look and feel in your outfits, but it will make your collection incredibly versatile and easy to use.
2/ Stick to a limited color palette.
If you took the time to familiarize yourself with your new set of colors, you probably identified a short list of favorites.
For now, pick around three of your favorite colors to add to your collection.
When you become more confident (which you may find happens quickly), introduce some other hues.
3/ T-shirts are a low-risk way to try wearing a new color
T-shirts can be relatively inexpensive and are an easy item to find in a rainbow of different colors. Some of my go-to stores for colorful t's are:
Kettlewell- this is my top place for good quality, inexpensive tee-s in various colors. You can filter by seasonal color palettes, so it's super easy to find t-shirts in your best colors.
Uniqlo - is good for muted, warm, and pastel hues.
Boden - a great place for tee's in bold, highly saturated colors
Old Navy - carries t-shirts in most colors.
Sezane - is great but a little more pricy. Their Conrad t-shirt has a hue for everyone, whilst the Malcolm t-shirt is good for neutrals like navy and khaki green.
Quince - Their staple color palette is muted, warm, and fairly neutral.
Universal Standard - They have a good selection of teals, pinks, purples, and blues.
Michael Stars - is a great option for spring and summer palettes.
Z Supply - carries a wide range of t-shirt styles in a huge range of colors.
4/ Use accessories to test out a new color
Experimenting with accessories is a low-risk way to see how you feel about wearing a hue before committing to a larger garment.
If you like the idea of color but are unsure, test the water with something small like a scarf, bag, belt, or pair of shoes.
Scarves, necklaces, and earrings make the biggest impact as they are close to your face.
5/ Get a lippy in your best shade.
Find a lipstick and blush in your colors - it will give you an instant lift and help minimize the unflattering effects of colors in your wardrobe that aren't in your palette.
Trinny London is a great place to look for lip colors and make-up palettes to match your personal color palette.
There is also a free color quiz (match2me) to identify the best make-up palette for you, you can then build the perfect makeup set for you!
How to shop for clothes when you’ve had your colors done.
1/ Keep a reference with you in your purse or on your phone.
After an online color analysis session with me, my clients get a digital color palette for their phones so they can access color swatches of their best colors wherever they are.
If you don't have this, ask your color consultant if they can provide you with digital color swatches, or purchase some fabric swatches.
It's super useful to have a color palette to reference when you're shopping for clothes online or in person, but bear in mind that colors can look a little different depending on the fabric.
If a color doesn’t perfectly match your reference but is close, it’ll be fine.
2/ Some seasons are better than others for shopping your color type
Different color palettes lend themselves to different fashion seasons, especially if you've had a seasonal color analysis.
For example, if your color type is bright, clear, warm colors, then you may struggle to find options you like in summer.
I always tell my clients to make the most of their fashion season when it comes around, and to stock up on their favorite hues.
3/ Keep an eye on the trends.
Colors go in and out of favor, so if you notice one of your best or favorite colors is in fashion, stock up on a few new pieces for your collection.
4/Keep a running list of colors you want to add to your collection.
As you build and develop your collection, you may notice color gaps. When you do, add it to a wishlist…and remember to check it when shopping.
5/ Keep a list of retailers whose collections typically align with your color palette.
When you come accross a retailer that aligns with your seasonal color palette, bookmark it.
I use Trello to keep track of retailers in the UK and US, it saves me a ton of time when I’m shopping for clients!
Here are some suggetions to get you started:
Brands such as Boden, Tuckernuck, Anthropology, and Farm Rio are known for their bright, saturated, and deep colors and bold prints.
Conversely, brands like Aritzia, Quince, Sezane, Cuyana, and Massimo Dutti tend to stick to softer muted hues and neutrals in a mix of undertones.
If you want to keep it simple, I recommend shopping with stores that categorize their clothing by season color or tonal direction.
My number one retailer for shopping by season color is Kettlewell - it's brilliant for staple pieces and essentials!
6/ Shop thrift stores and consignment stores.
If you're nervous about wearing color but want to try, shoping your local thrift, consignment, and charity shops is a great way to try new colors without spending a fortune.
They're usually organized in groups of color, so it’s an easy way to shop for color, too.
Combining colors after you've had a color analysis.
The great thing about having a palette of colors that works for you is that all the colors within that palette work harmoniously together, making combining colors a breeze.
This means that if your custom digital palette consists of cool colors, they all have a cool tone, so will pair perfectly with each other.
However, even when you're confident that colors go together, you might not know how or when to mix colors. Here are a few tips to help you:
1/ Use the Color Wheel to help you pair colors.
Complementary Colors:
Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, create a high-contrast, vibrant effect when paired.
If you look best in high-contrast colors (your eye color, hair color, and skin are strongly contrasted), this is your happy place.
If your color palette is soft or low-contrast (the contrast between your eye color, hair color, and skin is low), you might find complementary colors too overpowering.
Analogous Colors:
Colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green, create a harmonious, almost seamless look.
If your color palette is low contrast or full of soft tones, these color pairings are perfect for you.
On the other hand, if you suit deep and bright colors, you'll probably find that analogous colors are too subtle or dull.
Tonal (or Monochromatic) Colors:
Image thanks to Kettlewell
Colors that share the same undertone and depth, making them naturally harmonious when combined in an outfit.
This pairing works well for everyone, but to make it work for you, you'll need to adjust the depth and saturation to match your natural contrast.
If you want some guidance combining colors, here are two helpful tools:
I also wrote this post, which goes into much more detail about color theory, and using it to combine colors.
2/ Utilize the power of neutrals.
If in doubt, a pretty failsafe option is to combine color with a neutral like soft-white, grey, navy, brown, or beige; it acts as a great base to showcase colorful pieces and often a less obtrusive effect.
3/ Seasonal Color Pairings:
The beauty of having a customized color palette is that the colors all harmonize perfectly. So a super simple way to ensure your colors work, is to stick to the colors in your seasonal palette.
4/ Use prints to guide you.
Prints are one of my favorite ways to mix colors because the hard part is already done - mixing the colors.
All you need to do is choose a print that works with your colors, the choose one or two colors within that print to make up an outfit.
Consider how colors affect your mood and what they can communicate.
Colors have a profound psychological impact and can influence emotions, perceptions, and behavior. So it's worth considering how the colors you wear affect how you look, how you feel, and how you are perceived:
Red can evoke positive feelings of power, energy, and confidence. However, it can also have the adverse effect of appearing aggressive or angry.
Pink can be nurturing and kind, but it also has the adverse effects of weakness and insecurity.
Purple can evoke feelings of creativity and spirituality or be pretentious and overwhelming.
Blue can elicit feelings of calm, trust, and professionalism, with lighter blues being soothing and deeper blues exuding authority. However, it can also evoke feelings of melancholy or impersonality.
Yellow can feel happy, warm, and optimistic; however, very bright yellows may elicit anxiety, and too much yellow can feel overwhelming.
Orange is warm and friendly but can also feel loud or brash.
Green can evoke balance, harmony, and growth and is associated with renewal and freshness. However, too much green can feel stagnated.
Black can communicate sophistication, mystery, elegance and authority. But it can also make the wearer appear cold or unapproachable.
White can convey purity, simplicity, and cleanliness, but it can also be cold or clinical.
As you can see, color has the power to support you in your day-to-day life.
Taking the time to understand which colors will help you to build not only a collection of clothes that look good on you but a collection that also allows you to communicate or evoke a particular mood.
In The Little Book Of Colour, Karen Haller recommends keeping a diary to record the colors you wear daily, how they make you feel, and how other people interact with you.
If you're interested in learning more about color and fashion psychology, I highly recommend The Little Book of Color by Karen Haller, and Big Dress Energy by Shakaila Forbes-Bell.
Both offer a fascinating insight into the power of color, and how we can make it one of our superpowers!
what to do if you don't like your color palette.
Some color palettes conjure images of a particular person or personal style. If you don't identify with those images, it can be challenging to integrate your new palette into your own personal style or to put outfits together in a way that feels true to you.
Someone recently labeled a 'true summer' told me she struggled to put outfits together with her palette without giving old lady vibes.
That struck a chord with me, as I also lean towards the summer palette but have a penchant for a more edgy, quirky, moody style. And while I enjoy all the hues in my custom color palette, dressing head-to-toe in summer shades doesn't feel right for me, either.
If you can relate, too, here are a few things that might help you adapt you palette so it works for you:
1/ Try to identify what feel's 'off'.
It could be that the colors in your palette are muted, but you prefer to wear bold, bright colors. Or maybe they're cool in tone, whereas warm colors fit better with your style.
When you can pinpoint what it is you dislike about your palette, you can start to experiment with different shades, depths, or combinations within your palette, and adapt your colors to work better for you and your personal style.
2/ Ensure you have some key pieces in your collection that strongly reflect your style.
These could be items in a particular silhouette or fabric, or a selection of accessories and footwear that always feels right and that you can rely on when an outfit feels a little disconnected from you.
For me, that's my leather jacket, faux fur coat, favorite jeans, and a growing collection of footwear and belts that sprinkle my looks with a little edge and quirkiness.
If you're unsure what your key pieces could be, consider looking into Allison Bornstein's '3-word method' to hone in on your personal style.
I also recommend her book, Wear It Well, it's a fantastic guide for editing your closet and developing your personal style.
Having three words that resonate with you and reflect your style helps you decide if an item is right for you and helps you search for outfit inspiration. My current three words are “relaxed,” “chic,” and “edgy.”
3/ Experiment with different fabrics and textures.
Colors can look and feel different in different fabrics. For example, baby pink cotton can evoke very different feelings than baby pink faux fur or velvet. If your color palette feels too feminine or too dark for you, try wearing one of your colors in a contrasting fabric to change its mood and see how that feels.
4/ use your palette as a guide, not a rulebook
I don't recommend using your palette as a strict rulebook—it’s far too limiting, and you'll find it makes getting dressed harder, not easier! Instead, use your palette as a guide. Use it to understand why certain colors work, then adapt it to suit your preferences and personal style.
5/ if you don't like a color - don't wear it
If your color palette contains hues you dislike or that you can't adapt to work with your personal style, don't wear them. Be authentic—wear what feels most aligned and ignore the rest.
6/it's worth delving into why you don't like certain color combinations or hues.
Think about how you feel when you look at your color palette, and what thoughts or images come to mind?
Perhaps your palette feels outdated or overly coordinated, whereas you prefer a more stylish and modern look.
Or it may feel too playful and carefree, and you’re drawn to a moody, sultry vibe.
It could even be that some of the colors or color combinations are triggering negative memories and feelings you’ve attached to them.
Taking time to understand your reactions to your palette can help you introduce it to your style in a way that works for you.
However, if you don't like or feel disconnected from most of your color palette, there's a chance you've been misanalyzed. If that's the case you might want to adjust and tweak it a little, or get a second opinion to get a more accurate analysis. This post will help you conduct self-analysis to identify your best colors.
What to do if you think your color analysis result is wrong?
Misclassifications can happen! Undertones can be tricky to read, lighting can distort results, and sometimes a palette just doesn’t feel right. If you feel disconnected from your palette, or you think you may have been misanalysed, here are four things that might help:
1/ Self-test at home
Do a DIY color analysis at home, and compare your results with the ones you've been given.
For tips on conducting color analysis at home, head to this post.
2/ Seek a second opinion
Preferably with a color analyst who uses a different system or method. If your first consultation was purely seasonal, consider consulting a tonal specialist who can create a more customized and accurate colour analysis result.
You could also look for a personal color consultant who uses a more expanded system, such as the 12-season system or the 16-season system. These will give you more nuanced results than the traditional 4-season model.
3/ Adjust & Tweak
If your palette doesn't feel aligned, use it as a starting point. If you were labeled a "Summer" but the palette feels too cool, explore slightly warmer or deeper shades within the same gentle, muted color families.
4/ Trust Your Reflection and Personal Style
At the end of the day, color analysis should make dressing easier and more enjoyable, not restrictive. If a color outside your assigned palette makes you look and feel amazing, wear it! Treat your palette as a guide, not hard and fast rules to live by.
There will always be unflattering colors that bring you joy, or hues that you want to include in your collection to support you on challenging days.
When this happens, use these tips to integrate them into an outfit in the most flattering way:
1/ Keep unflattering colors away from your face
This will enable you to wear the colors you love without clashing with your complexion. Pants, skirts, and footwear are the perfect items for this.
2/ Incorporate a favorite "non-palette" color through accessories
Belts and handbags that are kept away from your face are a great way to wear your favorite unflattering hues; they also add personality to a look.
3/ Pair a less flattering hue with one of your flattering colors
Neutrals in your best hue are the perfect partner for off-palette colors.
A t-shirt in your best neutral, paired with a skirt in a favorite 'wrong' color, can look fabulous.
If you're confident mixing colors, pair a 'wrong' color with a harmonious 'right' color.
4/ Try wearing your unflattering favorite in a different fabric.
Test the color out on you in different fabrics or finishes as the texture or sheen of a fabric (like a shiny satin vs. a matte cotton) can influence how a color look on you.
Trinny London has a fantastic YouTube video sharing her tips for mastering the art of color matching and improving the look of unflattering colors.
How to combine beige and brown with blonde hair, fair skin, and blue eyes
It's all about choosing browns and beiges in the right undertone and combining them to create the best contrast level to complement your natural features.
If your skin leans cool (with blue or pinkish undertones), opt for beiges with a slightly cooler or neutral undertone—think taupe or rose beige, and cool browns like cocoa or chocolate brown.
If your skin leans warm (it will have peachy or yellow undertones), choose warm beige, camel, and tan, and opt for warm browns like coffee brown, and mahogany.
When combining browns and beiges, consider how the contrasting hues work with your contrast.
If you notice a significant contrast between your hair, skin, and eyes, you likely have high-contrast features that are complimented by strong contrasting combinations like warm beige + coffee brown.
If your features are low contrast, as in your features are softly blended; low contrast combinations will work best; rose beige + cocoa will be beautiful.
Conclusion
Adapting your collection and introducing color after a professional color analysis should feel exciting and liberating, not restrictive.
Whether your color consultant assessed you as being a cool summer, warm spring, warm autumn, light spring, or deep autumn, use your palette as a guiding framework - one that helps you identify flattering hues and understand how different shades affect your look and mood.
From editing your closet at a comfortable pace to experimenting with accessories or specific fabrics, you have plenty of ways to explore color without committing to a head-to-toe overhaul.
And if you ever find that the palette you received doesn’t resonate with you, consider self-testing or seeking a second opinion.
Ultimately, your goal is to build a wardrobe that reflects who you are, feels good to wear, and still allows you to embrace “off-palette” favorites in creative, flattering ways.
Above all, remember that color analysis is meant to empower you.
Wear the colors you love in a style that’s uniquely yours—and enjoy the process of discovering new combinations that make you look and feel amazing.
If you're ready to learn your best colors, I offer Virtual Color Analysis that will give you a bespoke palette of flattering colors so you can confidently add color to your wardrobe in a way that works for you.
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