Sunday, 04 January 2009
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Dress Shopping Advice: Should Skin and Hair Color Be Taken Into Consideration?
Guest blog submitted by whatthefendi
(Is yellow appropriate for any light skin tone?)
There comes a point in every female's life when she is faced with the question:
"What do I wear?"
In this case, I am debating dress shopping, the most terrible and intimidating of them all.
I have learned recently that if there is a party, gala, or social event, always start looking for dresses as soon as you know the theme. My question is, how do you know what color to wear?I have a very light beige skin tone and my hair color varies, but it's usually very dark (I currently sport a dark turquoise with violet low lights hairdo).
What is the best color for someone with beige skin and dark hair? What is the best way to know which color looks best on you, especially with dresses?
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Comments (31)
I think it's best to just go out there and try dresses on. You know when you look good and when you don't, it's incredibly difficult to tell without actually trying something on. See which colors really make you "pop" --take along a friend/relative that you trust to get a second opinion. You can also take a look at the clothes you have now and see what colors look good on you.
I'm guessing light skin and dark hair will probably look best with jewel tones, but the shade depends on whether your skin has more of a yellow/gold undertone or a white/pink tone. Easy way to tell --if your veins look green, then you have more yellow in your skin; if they look blue, then you're more pink/white. And if you still can't tell -- just try things on and wear the dress that makes you feel the prettiest when you look in the mirror. Good luck!
can't go wrong with black! looks good on everyone :]
Ditto what Lauren said! I recently finally bought an LBD and its now my go to dress because i love it, its dressy enough, or not too dressy, whichever. i tend to stay away from white because I've been told it'll wash me out (Im very pale) but i can't help but think if i found the right dress, it could probably work.
My prom dress from last year was pale yellow, which sounds like it wouldn't go good with my skin. Totally not true, it was a great dress.
I think it also depends on if the event is going to be daylight, or inside/nighttime. Things that wash me out really only do so in daylight so i can wear whatever color i want the rest of the time, i think. Ill have to experiment a little more though =)
@just_the_average_jane@xanga - I've never heard that before! That's pretty cool, I'm going to be looking at my friends veins now (as weird as that sounds...) =)
@laurenmaureen@xanga - Not on the extremely pale it doesn't O_O;
i agree with just_the_average_jane. it really depends on what color your skin is... in the yellow, or pink tone. Also, take into consideration choosing colors that are either in the warm tones or cool tones. For instance, some greens have more yellow and some have more blue in it, its just finding which complements your skin color better.
bright jewel tones look good on almost anybody, while pastels make a lot of people look like they're a zombie.
i'm actually not a fan of the LBD because in NY too many people wear them >_< i needs the colour!
i dont think color is the most important factor...i mean, its important, but i think its more about the cut of the dress and how flattering it is to your body that we should worry about
I have pretty light skin tone and dark hair too..
I usually wear blacks or dark colour.. I only have one shirt that's yellow, and it's not light yello, and has graphics on it in black.
I'd prefer dark colours, or really bright colours, like white (but it has to be in a combination with something else) pink is actually pretty good, red, blue, green. etc
I would usually avoid brown because you sort of blend in with the shirt sometimes... and I would also avoid something that matches my skin colour.
and yes skin and hair colour should be taken in consideration because you don't want to look like a tree, or blend in with your clothes.
Go for BOLD BRIGHT COLOUR :)
Given your description, I personally would probably go with really rich saturated color. No pastels.
The only way you can really know if you can pull off a color is to try it on. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, and if it works, awesome. That gives you a reference point for the future.
If the store you're in isn't too busy, ask someone who works in the dress department to make a recommendation or to help you pick out a few to try on. They should know their stock well enough to have a few ideas in mind.
black and olive green looks good on everyone
You'd look good in dark greens, plum, or black.
If in doubt, pastel yellows and greens tend to look bad on almost everyone, so avoid that.
I personally think a nice navy blue can look good on anybody.
But, when shopping for a dress, I also take the cut into consideration. I myself am a blonde, and I find that I look best in cool -toned clothing. When I was shopping for my homecoming dress this past fall, I came down to two options, a hot pink empire waisted get up, and a blue something or other. In the end, the cut of the pink dress was much more flattering on me, so I ended up going with the pink.Eh, I don't really consider all of that, I just pick the dresses that I think are cute... try 'em on, and whatever looks good on me, I buy.
Try the book "Color Me Pretty." It has some good tips for finding colors that look good on you.
Some people see colors in seasons. If you're a "spring" you look good in pastels, if you're a "fall" you look good in golds and browns and oranges, etc.
Some people see colors as warm, cool, or neutral. Beige would be a warm or neutral color. So you would look good in other warm colors. (and if you're the girl in the picture, the dress looks fine, btw)
But I think the book explains it WAY better than I do.
@misswonderj@xanga - i disagree, im one step above translucent, and i love black. pale skin, black dress, red lipstick? classic.
@makethemakersmile@xanga - Depends on the undertone. Not everyone with pale skin rocks the red lipstick and dark apparel look. Especially when they don't have that wondrous dark hair to match.
@misswonderj@xanga - probly true. i have no idea what my undertones are. im guessing pink....
@makethemakersmile@xanga - Looking at you I'd say your undertone was a fair pink. I think you look rather good in black. With some nice skin lightening foundation maybe some dark high lights in your hair the look would be complete with you =).
@misswonderj@xanga - yeah, my hair has red streaks in it right now, but naturally its pretty dark, almost black, with these random auburn highlights (moreso in the summer), and blond hairs underneath. but im always dying it so many different colors...
I look just awful in most shades of yellow!
@makethemakersmile@xanga - I would dye my hair more but it causes such horrible damage. My hair is too sensitive, especially in the winter. Though I'm starting to love my naturally black hair. <3
Like I said the other day, do yourself a favor and shop in stores. Try things on. take a good look in the mirror. if you aren't sure, wear it out of the fitting room and ask the opinion of others. Don't order something, only to discover that it doesn't look as good on you as it did on the models in the pictures. Besides, it's a lot more fun trying things on than just looking at them. and nothing beats the sensation of finding a perfect dress or whatever, on sale!