Welcome to the captivating world of color analysis, a technique that promises to enrich your wardrobe with shades that complement and enhance your natural beauty. Have you ever noticed how certain colors make you feel vibrant while others seem to draw the light away from your face? That's the essence of color analysis. It's about discovering the colors that suit you best. Let's delve into the two main systems of color analysis—Seasonal andTonal—and uncover why Tonal might be the color guide you've been looking for.

Seasonal System: A Time-Honored Tradition

TheSeasonal system of color analysis was popularized in the 1980s, thanks toCarole Jackson's book "Color Me Beautiful". Jackson's work built upon the theories of Johannes Itten, a Swiss color and art theorist from the early20th century, who identified the link between color harmony and skin tone.However, it was Jackson who translated these theories into a practical tool for personal style, casting a spotlight on the Seasonal system. Her approach captured the zeitgeist of the '80s, with its emphasis on self-expression and identity, and it became a cornerstone of personal fashion, shaping how individuals approached their wardrobes.

The Seasonal color analysis system classifies people into four distinct groups, each associated with a particular set of colors inspired by the seasons of the year—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. It considers the hue (the quality that defines a color), value (how light or dark a color is),and chroma (the clarity or saturation of a color). For example, if you're a'Winter,' you'd be steered towards clear, icy colors as opposed to the soft pastels recommended for a 'Spring.' Within each season, there are sub-types to create either a 12- or 16-season system rather than the traditional and older 4-season one. If you were analyzed and ‘had your colors done’ many years ago, you may just have the traditional 4-season palette.

This method is straightforward and has been a popular way to define color choices in fashion for decades. However, the Seasonal system tends to be somewhat limiting, assigning a fixed palette that may not account for the changes we undergo with age or with changes like trying out different hair color.

Tonal System: A Contemporary Approach

In the last decade, recognizing the limitations of the Seasonal system, Colour Me Beautiful organization in the UK, developed the Tonal System, also known as the Munsell System. This system considers the same attributes—depth (value), undertone (hue), and clarity (chroma)—but rather than dividing people into four seasonal categories, it looks at the individual's overall coloring to assign a dominant color type as well as a secondary and tertiary types, creating 24 distinct coloring types. Think of it as a pyramid of colors where the base – the dominant type – supports and influences the other two tiers.

Understanding Dominant Color Types

Your dominant color type is the leading character in your personal color story. It's the most noticeable and impactful aspect of your coloring. This could be 'Deep', 'Light', 'Warm', 'Cool', 'Clear', or 'Soft'.This key player dictates the core of your personal palette, offering 30foundational shades that align closely with your most striking features.

Complementing with Secondary and Tertiary Types

To add depth and complexity to your color narrative, secondary and tertiary types come into play. These layers enrich your dominant type, offering nuanced shades that complement and enhance your coloring. Your secondary type can add a subtle twist to your palette, while the tertiary whispers the final notes to complete your color chorus.

The full analysis gives you a palette of 42 different colors, 30of which come from your dominant type.

The Full Spectrum: Your Personal Color Keywords

When you undergo a full Tonal color analysis, you receive not just a palette but a set of keywords that resonate with your coloring profile –for instance, 'Deep', 'Clear', and 'Cool'. These keywords become your personal guideposts in the world of color, helping you navigate the sea of shades with confidence and precision.

Imagine walking into a store with these keywords in mind; you'd be able to pinpoint the colors that are most harmonious for you, even in a sea of options. It's like having a secret code that unlocks your best self.

The 360 View: In-Person Consultation and Draping

For those who seek a holistic view of their coloring, an in-person consultation is a must. This is where the art of draping comes in, a process where fabrics in various colors are placed against your skin to observe the interplay of light and hue with your natural tones. It's an eye-opening experience that reveals your dominant, secondary, and tertiary types in full glory.

Our Offering: Dominant Type Analysis Through OpenWardrobe

While the full 360 view requires an in-person consultation, we understand the need for accessibility and convenience. That's why, through theOpenWardrobe app, we offer an analysis that identifies your dominant color type based on a few photographs. This service provides you with 30 colors, a rich palette that serves as a solid foundation for your style, as well as suggestion on how to wear and combine them.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, the goal of color analysis—whether Seasonal or Tonal—is to help you build a wardrobe that makes you feel fabulous. While the Seasonal system has its merits, the Tonal system offers a modern, flexible framework that empowers you to make informed color choices based on a deep understanding of your own coloring. It's a liberating and practical approach that teaches you how to wear color (rather than which colors to wear) and equips you with the knowledge to craft a wardrobe that's as individual as you are.

Color analysis is not just about creating an impressive exterior; it's about enhancing your natural beauty in a way that resonates with who you are. It's an invitation to explore the colors with confidence and curiosity, and to express your personal style with every hue you choose to wear.

‍