Which color suits me? How color consulting can help

Colors are more than just pretty everyday companions. They can brighten our mood and boost our self-confidence. A recent study shows this: Students were asked to wear clothes in unusual colors for a week. The result: The participants reported that wearing unusual colors made them bolder and boosted their self-confidence.

But which color actually suits me—and what does that depend on? A color consultation can help with these questions.

Anyone who thinks color consulting is only for the fashion-conscious or those looking to completely reinvent themselves may be mistaken. At least, according to Julia Anklam. She's a style and color consultant in Hanover and is convinced that color consulting is suitable for everyone.

"Especially for people who dress consciously and want to use their appearance for professional goals, for example, it's essential to be knowledgeable," she says. People who come for color consultations receive guidance: "It's not just a gimmick, but can really be used purposefully."

Depending on the provider and the scope, such a consultation can cost between 50 and 500 euros. Alternatively, there are quick and easy online self-tests that can be completed to find out which colors suit you. Some fashion companies, such as C&A, Breuninger, and Peter Hahn, offer these tests free of charge on their websites.

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Color consulting can help you feel confident enough to wear "unusual colors." It's not about dictating strict rules about what you "can" or "must" wear in the future, Anklam explains. Rather, it's about showing people their "best colors"—the colors that best suit their personal pigmentation—and explaining how to combine other colors. To achieve this, Anklam works with her clients to create customized concepts tailored to their individual needs. "With the right colors, even colors that are normally a no-go can be worn without any problems."

The four color types in classic color counseling are assigned to the seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter. It's a tried-and-tested principle based on natural color moods. "Today, however, we distinguish much more finely between intermediate types," explains Anklam. Often, a type can't be clearly assigned to each category. For example, someone's pigmentation might be more of a winter type, but they might also contain elements of a spring type. "The classic classification can be a good starting point – but you can also look left and right."

Lively, warm, and bright—that's what characterizes the spring type. Anklam describes them like this: "The spring type is somewhat richer and has many warm, yet bright pigments. This can be brown, golden, or reddish hair, caramel-colored, green eyes. Or blue eyes, and a beige, golden, or olive skin undertone." This type also sometimes has freckles. The perfect colors for the spring type are grass green, orange, sunny yellow, and turquoise.

US actress Cameron Diaz is a classic spring type with her golden hair, blue eyes and golden skin undertone.

Source: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Cool, pastel tones dominate here. "The summer type tends to have a bluish undertone and light pigmentation. This type, for example, tends to tan grayish and is prone to reddening. Their hair is either very light blonde or street blonde. Their eyes are usually blue, blue-gray, or blue-green," explains Anklam. Recommended colors include rose, ice blue, light gray, and light yellow.

US actress Amanda Seyfried is a classic summer type with her light blonde hair, light pigmentation and blue eyes.

Source: dpa

Warm, earthy tones make this type shine. "The autumn type is warm, but much darker than the spring type. This includes rich brown eyes, dark hair, and a skin tone that is usually darker and warmer. This type also tends to tan deeply, turning a golden brown," says the color consultant. Suitable colors include eggplant, ochre, corn yellow, fir green, and fawn brown.

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez is an autumn type with her rich brown eyes, dark hair and rather dark skin tone.

Source: JStone/ shutterstock.com

Clear contrasts and intense colors are the hallmarks of the winter type. "The winter type predominantly has very pale skin, which usually tans poorly. With this type, the colors are clearer and richer. The eyes are usually very bright brown or blue, and the hair color is a very rich black, dark brown, and cool without any reddish elements," explains Anklam. Suitable colors here include royal blue, pink, black and white, neon yellow, and cooler green tones.

With her rather pale skin, bright blue eyes and dark hair, actress Megan Fox is a classic winter type.

Source: dpa

But how does a color consultation work? Before the actual consultation, a little preparation is required. "I always ask people to come without self-tanner or heavily dyed hair—otherwise, it can be difficult to recognize the true shade," says Anklam. Her clients should also bring five to seven colored items of clothing from their own closet. This allows the color consultant to see directly which colors they intuitively choose and where they might have any uncertainties.

Anklam begins by explaining the basics of color theory: "Then there's a theoretical section where I explain how to identify warm and cool tones, soft and saturated colors." Her goal: to use colors consciously and independently. "It's important to me that my clients don't dress strictly according to their color chart, but can truly use color consciously for their own benefit." In a practical section, Anklam explores various color concepts with her clients and explains which colors go well together, even if you might not initially suspect it—for example, green and pink.

Using analysis cloths placed around the neck, customers can then experience the difference between matching and unmatching colors firsthand. The focus always remains on the individual person and their personality. Because not every color that theoretically fits perfectly automatically feels right.

"It's important in my job to also consider the person," says Anklam. "Because if a person is very introverted but would look good in pink and orange, that doesn't mean they have to wear it. The person also has to feel comfortable."