Personal Style and Color Analysis

Mary Ann and Ginger Revisited - Again

I've discussed the correlation between personal style and color analysis many times over the years in my blog, my newsletter, and other places.

In a nutshell, there is a correlation on how you wear your best colors, but there is little to no correlation on what your best colors are based on personality. 

Whenever I say this, I am usually reprimanded by someone telling me how wrong I am. 

I try to keep an open mind about most things. I did really try for a while years ago to open my mind to the idea. But after studying it for years and analyzing thousands of women, I realize it's just wrong. 

I wrote the following in a newsletter a few years ago. I am posting it again for everyone to read. My thoughts are still the same: 

Mary Ann and Ginger Revisited: Personality & Color

I will just get right to my point: Your style personality has nothing to do with your season. Your season does not dictate your style personality. 

Style personality comes from within; your seasonal coloring is all about the outside. 

I commend the consultants, stylists, and influencers who support color analysis. Nevertheless, some still hold the notion that an individual's coloring determines their style personality. Some even believe personality traits are linked to coloring (like Autumns are stubborn and independent; Summers are agreeable and meek, etc.)

This idea is baseless. Ignore these remarks if you come across them.

A Clear Spring in a conservative business suit wearing two of her best neutral colors, tan and ivory.

Once someone knows her season, she will know her palette of flattering colors. She can then wear these colors in a way that will reflect her style. All palettes will have a variety of colors including neutrals, 'fun' colors, and boring colors.  

Bright Clear Springs, for example, can utilize her palette's neutrals to create a very conservative, professional style if that is the look she wants.  

A person’s coloring is all about her outside—skin, hair, and eyes. Her personality is within. She decides what her personality is, and it can certainly change over the years. 

I’ve used the Mary Ann and Ginger analogy in the past because it is a great example of what I’m referring to. Plus, “Gilligan’s Island” was my favorite TV show as a child :)

Mary Ann is a Deep Winter whose character is sweet and down-to-earth and is seen most often in pigtails and gingham, ponytails and turtlenecks, and lots of denim. 

On the other hand, Ginger's style was glamorous and alluring, with her sexy gowns, flowing hair and glamorous updo's, and always glossed lipstick.

In this particular episode (right), Mary Ann hits her head and wakes up thinking she is Ginger. She then changes her look by trading her pigtails for a glamourous hairstyle. Naturally she modifies all of the real-Ginger’s sexy clothes to make them fit her petite body, driving Ginger crazy. 

The point is that what changed was not her coloring (although the professor suggested Ginger dress like Mary Ann, including a dark wig, until things are resolved. So Ginger wears the signature gingham and dark pigtails so as to not confuse her). What changed was the style and cut of the clothes, their hairstyles, and other accessories. 

One of the reasons this particular issue bothers me so much is that growing up, despite being thrilled when I finally found my season, there were additional ‘rules’ saying that Autumns’ style was casual and down-to-earth ( I guess I could relate to that), and suggested items like loafers, jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, and plaid blazers (I could not relate to that).

I’ve never found any plaid that looked good on me! Maybe a small Burberry-like scarf but that was it. I liked jeans but loved them with a pretty blouse. I could never do t-shirts unless they were v-neck and they were drapey. Crew necks were particularly unflattering on me. 

Essentially, this style that was supposed to be connected to my season did not resonate with me much. I felt dull.  

My style wasn’t exactly glamorous like Ginger Grant, either. I didn't find my style ’t until I read more information about how personalities can be blended. It was similar to how the four seasons can blend into one other, resulting in more precise sub-seasons. One could have a blended style personality, too. 

After more training over the years, I realized I was actually a blend of classic and alluring. This totally felt right to me. 

I don't know who wrote these rules as to what season is 'supposed to' be style-wise, but they are not true. 

So what is the connection between personal style and color analysis?

Just know that your style is what you want, what you feel is truly you (on the inside). Find wardrobe pieces that reflect your style but look for them in colors from your palette (determined from your outside).  It will synergize your look even more, as color analysis does with everything!

Below examples have the  same dark, cool coloring but different style personalities. It's all about the shape and cut of the clothes and details like fabric, drape, prints, jewelry, hairstyles, and more.