Great tips for choosing multi-color, patterned clothing for your seasonal palette!
As part of a ‘best practice’ approach, Color Analysts strive to prevent color contamination from occurring during the draping process. The job of the color analyst is to demonstrate to the client how the complexion of the face changes when fabrics of different colors are draped beneath the face. The changes that are seen in the client’s complexion can be made more observable and dramatic by switching the fabric colors rapidly. In order to obtain accurate test results, each fabric drape needs to be a unique, solid color.
Of course, in the “real world” of purchasing clothes, a good percentage of the garments represented in a clothing store contain multiple colors and patterns, which is what the designers intended. Choosing a multi-color, patterned garment that is within your own seasonal palette seems like it would be a daunting task, but I’m here to assure you that it can be easier than you think!
First, be aware that whenever you look at a multi-color, patterned design, especially from a distance, your brain will process the information that is taken in by the eyes and then translate that information into an integrated whole. It is as if all of the colors become pixelated into one solid color, sort of like a PhotoShop algorithm. For example, look at the fabric swatch in the image below (Image 1). Your brain will actually “see” this pattern as a medium-to-dark solid purple, even though the contrasts of the light purple, the dark purple, and the black, diamond-shaped outlines become very distinct when looked at up close. (It’s easier to see this effect when you are farther away from the design, or if you make the design smaller.) This fabric would look best on: Bright Spring (Spring on the cusp of Winter).
To gain more practice with doing this, choose any multi-color, patterned garment from your closet and take a close look at it. Most of the time, you will observe one dominant background color present in the pattern. (But, once in a while, you will observe two dominant background colors.) Now, this dominant background color is the one that MUST be in your seasonal palette in order for the garment to enhance your complexion. Sometimes, this background color will be a neutral (non-accent) color, such as beige, cream, warm gray or cool gray. Regardless, you will want this background color to enhance your complexion when you put on the garment. What is the background color for the fabric swatch in the image below (Image 2)?
When creating multi-color, patterned designs, most designers purposely use a blend of harmonizing colors to integrate into the patterns because they want the garment to sell. Both the background color and the secondary colors used in the pattern will match each other in a pleasing way…and you can tell right away that this is the case. All of the major colors found in the garment ideally should be within the same seasonal tone, or at least within the same season!
Having said that, there will always be designers who are “on the edge” and will want to be uniquely unique. :-) If you find dissonant colors within the whole pattern, then just be aware of this. You are the one who decides how you want to express yourself, and sometimes this is absolutely the perfect thing for you!
Your seasoned Color Analyst,
Michael