Can anyone wear black?
Anyone can wear any colour they want, it’s a matter of choice.
The right question to ask is “Can anyone look their best in black?”
The answer is no. Not everyone can look their best in black. Who can?
They can:
What do they have in common? They all have very dark hair, deep icy eyes and their skin is reflective.
Let me explain. When analyzing people’s colouring, an image consultant looks at the undertone of the skin. If the person has an undertone that is more blue-based, the person is considered “cool”. If the person has an undertone that is more yellow-based, the person is considered warm. In the analysis, we look at the original hair colour of the person (the colour of the hair when the person was a teenager). If the person has grey hair or has coloured their hair, we still refer to the original hair colour.
Once we know if a person is cool or warm, we deepen the analysis and determine the right season for the person. The photos above show people who are “WINTERS”. If you think of famous artists, Lucy Liu, George Clooney, Will Smith and Cher are Winters. They could all also successfully wear black.
Another group of people, “SUMMERS”, have a cool undertone. Let’s look at some photos.
These people’s hair is not as dark. Actually, their hair looks a bit ashy. Their skin is more matte and their eyes are soft and cloudy. Think of Emily Blunt, Mel Gibson or Jessica Biel. They all share the same colouring. They would not look their best in black. They would look much better in dark grey or charcoal to bring out the smokiness of their colouring.
There are 2 groups of people who have a warm undertone: “AUTUMNS” and “SPRINGS”.
People who are in the Autumn category have brown or reddish hair. Their eyes are woodsy and can have speckles. Julia Roberts, Julianne Moore and Hugh Jackman are Autumns. The people in these pictures are also Autumns. These people would look stunning in dark brown or burgundy. Black is not optimal for them.
The last group of people, the “SPRINGS”, have a warm undertone. Their skin is light and bright and when they blush, they turn red. Their hair is in the blond spectrum. Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ryan Gosling are in this category. So are these people:
They would not look their best in black. Dark blue would be a better choice for them.
Are you one of those people who can wear black?
Did you find which neutral works for you?
Still not sure? Not everyone falls in ONE category. Some people are a blend of two seasons.
Colour analysis is a complex process and an Image Consultant can help you determine which colours are your Wow colours. After a consultation, you will not only know which neutral you can wear but also which colours make you look sensational. Contact me for a personalized consultation.