The female winter type

Stiltipps für Frauen

Farbberatung und Stilberatung im Mostviertel, Bezirk Amstetten, Niederösterreich

Building up a basic wardrobe for men

Your wedding gown 2015 – for the most beautiful day of your life

How to buy a bikini: summer 2015

The male winter type

The male autumn type

The female autumn type

The male summer type

The female summer type

The male spring type

The female spring type

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – The mastermind of colour theory

Johannes Itten – The founder of colour type theory

Carole Jackson – The trailblazer of colour consultation

Suzanne Caygill – pioneer of colour consultation

Image consultation for men

Image consultation for women

Colour advice for men

Colour consultation for women

The history of colour consultation

Archive for the ‘Colour and Image Consulting’ Category

The female winter type

Saturday, May 23rd, 2015

Winter contrasts strongly from the other three seasons: spring, which represents the awakening and blossoming of nature with its clear, vivid colours; summer, which embodies softness with its muffled pastel colours; autumn, the splendid colours of which symbolize the maturing of nature. In winter, nature almost drops its colours and puts aside the pastel shades and brushes with brilliant shades. Instead, nature grabs the quill and draws the landscape with clear lines: white and black, only occasionally mixing in some colour.

The female winter type:

Personal colour scheme:

Winter types combine extremes in their expression, just like a winter landscape. Their appearance is impressive and embodies vivid contrasts. The eye colour can seem black with yellow-green or golden highlights, sometimes also orange spots. This eye colour is often found in oriental or South-American types, but also in people with a lighter complexion. The eye colour may also be the green of fir trees, grey-green, pale green, light blue-green, dark evergreen, the blue of lapis lazuli, marine blue or a light, blurred blue. The hair colour is black or a brown that is so dark that it seems almost black. Hardly ever is the hair a bluish black. In some winter types, the hair will lose its pigmentation when they are only between 20 and 30 years old and turn iron-grey, steel-grey, tin, silver or snow-white. The skin usually shows olive shades ranging from light to dark, but it may also seem almost white, with beige or champagne undertones. Some winter types have a peachy skin colour.

Physical traits (these are general tendencies of women with a winter colour scheme, no individual characterization): People with strong contrasts in their colour scheme have a tendency to be slim, have high cheek bones and a slim face. The face shows straight horizontal lines and is clear-defined. Female winter types have a graceful posture and impressive charisma, which people respect. Her build is harmonic and reflects the precise definition of a line itself. Winter types create a design for themselves, just as an individual tree or leaf does for itself.

Personality traits (these are general tendencies of women with a winter colour scheme, no individual characterization): People with an intense colour scheme are characterized by a strong sense of drama. Their posture is dignified. They have a tendency to be regal and formal and rather reserved, which stems from inner security and tranquility. They prefer having people feel attracted by them to approaching other people themselves. They hide their passion under a calm surface. Even though the winter type is simply independent, more sociable people are often shy with winter types or find them taciturn or distanced because of the winter type’s clarity and noble ways. Winter types have a very clear perception of themselves that allows them to know what impression they have on others. Many winter types can be found in theatres, but also their lifestyle and personal surroundings should enable them to be “on stage”.

Most winter types have long-lasting friendships due to their intelligence and unmistakable communication. People whose colour scheme very strictly corresponds to the winter type are highly self-disciplined. Punctuality is an important virtue to them, in consideration of other people’s schedules. Winter types strive for perfection and feel even better when they have exceeded it. Winter types should learn to cherish perfection once they’ve reached it. In analogy with the contrasts in their colour scheme, winter types make decisions based on black and white if they have the final say.

Female winter types characteristically have a congenital sense of design that allows them to discover every deviation from the simplicity of a clear line. Her sense of formality is distracted by asymmetrical and off-centered designs, ranging from hairstyles to furniture. Her discipline drives her to express herself very tastefully before she is satisfied.

Female winter types with a strong desire for cultivation and sophistication may find it hard to adjust to life in more rural areas, where the style may be more casual. Usually, winter types prefer an elegant lifestyle that is refined, with furniture and accessories in silver and made from crystal, rather than wooden bowls and ceramic.

Quiet is very important for female winter types. They need a certain amount of silence around them every day.

Colours for the winter type:

White: pure white, blue-white, chalk-white, cool off-white

Black

Grey: anthracite, platinum, silver, light to medium grey, putty

Blue: marine, royal blue, black-blue, ice-blue

Green: fir-green, emerald, icy mint

Yellow: icy yellow, lemon

Red: blue-red, clear red, purple, ruby, scarlet

Pink: cyclamen, ice rose, Erika rose

Violet: blue violet, violet, lavender, lilac, ice-violet

Brown: black-brown

The harmony of winter colours lies in pure pigments. Most colours seems as if they’d come directly from the paint tube. When the pure pigments are changed they are toned down with black. The shades are deep, luscious and powerful or icy light and cool. Few winter types look good in medium colour shades.

Ornaments: Image consulting: Sweeping, wavy lines flatter the winter type most. These lines are found in soft hills, in weeping willows and waterfalls and can be interpreted with elegant pleats, coats, togas, capes or frocks.

Effects: Image consulting: Just as the silhouette of a great ballet dancer in the spotlight in front of a dark curtain is characterized by clear lines and simple patterns, people whose face and body are slim and clear-cut get attention through the silence of their beauty. It’s characteristic for the winter type to only choose one colour accent at a time for their clothing, not create colour harmonies complementing each other.

Unusual prints are suitable for the female winter type. The marble effect of black-white prints is reminiscent of filigree shadows on white snow. All the prints the female winter type wears should be a reflection of the person herself. Very abstract and undefined prints can create great effects. Flower prints are not so suitable. Sports clothes should be in vivid colours. When it comes to casual clothing, winter types may wear stripes, but these should only be in two colours, such as a green and white, red and white, black and white, red and black, black and green. Tunics worn together with trousers look great when the hips are rather slim. Hoods and scarves are well suited too.

Lines and stand-out designs are important for the winter type. She cannot be restrained. Dresses that are characteristic for the winter type seem to express, “I can’t be worn by an average woman”.

Intense and vivid colours look great on winter types. For lighter shades, icy tones should be chosen, such as ice-blue or ice-green. These colours are especially effective when found in fabrics with a frosty shine, such as satin. When it comes to evening dresses, the dramatic beauty of a winter type dressed in frosty white is hard to beat, with crystal-clear or glistening beading or with fringes or shot through with metal threads. Icy-green satin or midnight-blue velvet are also wonderful for evening dresses. The winter type should use steel-blue sparingly. A steel-blue dress decorated with crystals can be very pretty and interesting. Winter types with very white skin and black hair may wear brilliant yellow.

If the winter type wants to wear roses, she should only use individual deep-red roses.

All of the winter type’s clothes should have refined lines and be of excellent quality.

Other season types may be complemented by the possibilities of expression of the winter type, when the hair has turned grey or white.

Jewelry and metals: Jewelry should be big, have clear lines, be simple and dramatic, never too filigree, playful or delicate, such as lovely bracelets or a dangling necklace. The effect should express coolness. Silver and white gold are better suited than yellow gold. Glistening gems, such as diamonds, emphasize the female winter type’s charisma best. One carefully chosen piece of jewelry per outfit is enough.

Lipstick: clear red tones or blue-red tones are the best colours for the winter type, too warm red tones should be avoided.

Perfume: The winter type’s perfume should be upscale and not flowery.

Focal points of the personality: image consultation: Those designs should be picked from the huge range of clothing that support the expression of the winter type’s personality and enhance their individuality best. The signals clothing sends are nonverbal communication. Including design to express a trait of her personality helps the spring woman to present herself successfully and become interesting to other people.

The following keywords contain a few possibilities of expression that correspond to most winter types naturally: dignity, elegance, luxuriousness, mystic, regal charisma, politeness, sense of cultivation, grandeur, tranquility, dramatic, excellent, exciting, glistening, sophisticated, outstanding.

This entry was compiled on Wednesday, March 14th 2011 at 12:22 p.m. and is filed in Colour and Image Consulting. You can use the RSS 2.0 feed to see the answers to this article. You can leave an answer or send a trackback from your own homepage.

Stiltipps für Frauen

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Wissen Sie schon, was Sie zum nächsten Familienfest anziehen? Sind Sie es leid als Mutter jeden Morgen wieder in die altgewohnte Jeans-und-T-Shirt-Kombination zu schlüpfen? Sie begleiten Ihren Sohn das erste Mal auf ein Fußballspiel, welche Kleidung tragen Sie dabei? Haben Sie sich schon Gedanken darüber gemacht, was Sie zum Elternabend anziehen und was zum Kindergarten-Ausflug? Und welches Kleid werden Sie bei der Hochzeit Ihrer besten Freundin tragen, oder doch lieber den Hosenanzug?

Für alle Frauen, denen diese Fragen Kopfzerbrechen bereiten, habe ich diese Tipps zusammengestellt:

  1. Achten Sie auf die Passform: Einem Betrachter fällt als erstes ins Auge, dass die Bluse an Ihnen schlottert wie auf einem zu kleinen Kleiderhaken oder dass die Nähte Ihrer Hose um Ihren Po herum bedenklich spannen. Egal welche Kleidergröße Sie tragen und welchen Geschmack Sie haben, wenn die Passform stimmt, haben Sie schon halb gewonnen.
  2. Betonen Sie Ihre Figur vorteilhaft, so wie Sie es möchten. Nicht jeder vermeintliche Makel ist auch einer. Überlegen Sie: Was möchte ich betonen, was eher überspielen und wie erreiche ich das? Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit und probieren Sie verschiedene Kleidungsstücke und Kombinationen vor einem mannshohen Spiegel an. Achten Sie auf Ihre Proportionen (Welche Körperteile werden optisch verlängert oder verkürzt) und Ihre Körperlinien (rundlich, eckig, gerade).
  3. Die Farbe: Eine Farbe, die zu Ihrem Typ (Frühlingstyp, Sommertyp, Herbsttyp, Wintertyp) passt, kann ein echtes Wow!-Erlebnis auslösen. Neutraltöne sind eben neutral, sie führen beim Betrachter zu keiner besonderen Aufmerksamkeit. Wenn Sie wissen, was Ihnen steht, verstecken Sie sich nicht, greifen Sie zu Farben. Schon ein T-Shirt z. B. in einem satten Rotton kann Ihr simples Jeans-Outfit zu einem Hingucker machen. Und was denken Sie, welchen Eindruck Sie erst in einem einfach geschnittenen Kleid in einer tollen Farbe machen?
  4. Accessoires: Schuhe und Handtasche in derselben Farbe ist kein Zwang mehr, es ist aber auch nie falsch. Wenn Sie beides farblich aufeinander abstimmen geben Sie Ihrem Outfit damit auf jeden Fall den letzten Schliff.
  5. Angemessenheit: Welche Kleidungsstücke tragen Sie zu welcher Gelegenheit? Richtige Sportkleidung ist dem Sport vorbehalten so wie das lange Abendkleid einer rauschenden Ballnacht. Überlegen Sie, welche „Uniform“ Sie für Ihren (Arbeits-)Alltag benötigen. Welchen Zweck muss Ihre Kleidung in erster Linie erfüllen? „Praktisch“ ist nicht immer gleichbedeutend mit „Jeans“. Achten Sie einmal darauf, wie andere Menschen angezogen sind, die einen ähnlichen Lebensstil wie Sie selbst pflegen. Wenn Ihnen etwas gefällt probieren Sie es für sich aus. Als Frau haben Sie die Wahl, sich bei (fast) jeder Gelegenheit zwischen Kleid, Rock und Hose entscheiden zu können.
  6. Praktische Überlegungen zur Tragbarkeit bestimmter Kleidungsstücke: Wenn Sie sich ein Outfit für einen bestimmten Anlass aussuchen ist es notwendig einige Überlegungen anzustellen, damit Sie dann wirklich gut gerüstet sind: Müssen Sie eine lange Autofahrt machen? – Dann ist das Leinenkleid, das so leicht knittert, die falsche Wahl oder Sie ziehen es erst vor Ort an. Sie werden wahrscheinlich auf Heurigengarnituren aus Holz sitzen, wo möglicherweise einzelne, kleine Späne vorstehen? – Lassen Sie Ihr Seidenkleid und Ihre Feinstrumpfhose zu Hause. Sommer bedeutet nicht zwangsläufig auch heiß. – Legen Sie sich vorsorglich ein Jäckchen oder einen Schal zurecht und geschlossene Schuhe, damit Sie bei Regenwetter dann nicht ratlos sind.
  7. Make up: Meine persönliche Empfehlung lautet: So wenig wie möglich, so viel als nötig. Tragen Sie nicht unnötig viel Make-up auf sondern unterstreichen Sie stattdessen Ihre natürliche Schönheit. Mein Rat: Make-up sollte nur das Tüpfelchen auf dem „i“ in Ihrer Erscheinung sein. Bevor Sie sich Smokey Eyes zu sportlicher Kleidung schminken, greifen Sie lieber zu typgerechter Kleidung in Ihren Farben, ruhig einen Tick eleganter, und seien Sie beim Make-up zurückhaltend. Sie werden merken, dass Sie nicht nur positiv auffallen sondern auch, dass die Menschen Sie selbst als Persönlichkeit besser wahrnehmen.
  8. Frisur: Wie Sie Ihre Haare tragen, sagt viel über Sie aus. Nicht umsonst entscheiden sich viele Frauen für eine neue Frisur, wenn sie ihr Leben verändern möchten. Ihre Haare senden unmittelbare Signale an Ihre Umwelt. Überlegen Sie, ob Ihre derzeitige Frisur wirklich Sie selbst widerspiegelt oder ob Sie eher das Produkt von Modetrends oder praktischen Überlegungen ist. Lange Haare stehen zu Unrecht in dem Ruf zeitaufwendig in der Pflege zu sein. Sie benötigen weniger Styling im Alltag als halbkurzes Haar, weil keine Seitenpartie abstehen kann. Und sie unterstreichen Ihre weibliche Ausstrahlung.
  9. Ungewollte Blickfänge: Entfernen Sie Etiketten an Schals, Tüchern, Bikinis und den Unterseiten Ihrer Schuhsohlen.
  10. Ein Hauch von Eleganz in ihrer Kleidung steht jeder Frau zu allen Gelegenheiten.

Farbberatung und Stilberatung im Mostviertel, Bezirk Amstetten, Niederösterreich

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

Charisma ist die Fähigkeit sich selbst als Persönlichkeit zu entfalten und dies nach außen widerzuspiegeln. Farbe und Stil Ihrer Kleidung geben Ihnen die Möglichkeit dazu.

Meine Beratungsleistung biete ich als Gesamtkonzept von Farb- und Stilberatung (Typberatung) an. Das Besondere daran: Es ist mir wichtig in hohem Maße Ihre Persönlichkeit einzubeziehen, nicht nur Ihre äußere Erscheinung. Um Ihre Individualität besser erfassen zu können berücksichtige ich kosmo-energetische Einflüsse von Planetenkonstellationen zum Zeitpunkt Ihrer Geburt.

Ich berate Frauen wie Männer gleichermaßen. Auf Anfrage ist es natürlich möglich, auch nur eine Farbberatung oder Stilberatung zu vereinbaren. Gerne berücksichtige ich besondere Schwerpunkte wie Bademoden oder Festtagskleidung.

Nähere Informationen entnehmen Sie bitte unserer Homepage: https://www.offenberger-oeg.at/de/farb-typberatung/farbberatung

sowie meinen Blogs zu diesem Thema: http://blog.offenberger-oeg.at/de/category/farb-und-stilberatung/

Eine Auswahl:

Farbberatung für Frauen

Stilberatung für Frauen

Wie man einen Bikini kauft

Farbberatung für Männer

Stilberatung für Männer

Aufbau einer Grundgarderobe für Männer

Ich freue mich auf Ihre Anfrage und die Gelegenheit Ihnen zu zeigen, wie Sie Ihre ganz persönliche Attraktivität zur Entfaltung bringen.

Bernadette Offenberger

Günther & Bernadette Offenberger OG

Schulgasse 2/3

3353 Seitenstetten

Österreich

Tel.: +43 (0)664 2827232

info@offenberger-oeg.at

www.offenberger-oeg.at/de/farbtyp

Building up a basic wardrobe for men

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

When it comes to clothing, you want to rely on your own incorrupt eyes and the classic taste of a seasoned menswear sales assistant. If you have both at your disposal you’ll only need a few hints in the right direction to build up your basic wardrobe. If you don’t, don’t bury your head in the sand. Even if you’ve thought up to now that clothing is something only women care about and that you have more important things to do than to think about that, now is your time to tackle it! Compiling a basic wardrobe requires cleverness, courage and knowing what occasions you will need your clothes for. I’m sure that you have those traits, so get started:

1.    Your incorrupt eyes: Stand in front of a head-high mirror. (If you shouldn’t have a mirror like that, go and buy one, since you can’t make any observations without it). You may want to take off your outer layer of clothes in order to get a better look at your body. If the first thing you notice are the spare tyres around your belly and you want to get your untrained muscles fit, renew your membership at the fitness studio and get out your running shoes, depending on what your focus is. Don’t underestimate the importance of your satisfaction with your own body and a self-confident appearance for your charisma and the impression you make on other people. Leaving aside the state of your fitness, take a look at the proportions of your body. How big is the head in relation with the height of your body? Are your upper and your lower body the same length or different? What does your shape look like? Do you have broad shoulders and a narrow pelvis or are your contours very straight? All of these considerations will help you choose garments. In general, humans find “harmonic” proportions, i.e. proportions that are as balanced as possible (upper body has the same length as the legs), aesthetic, as well as natural contours. Clothing makes it possible for us to change the shapes and lines of our body to a certain extent, but exaggerations are usually repelling. I’m sure you remember the guy in the suit with the big shoulder pads that wanted to con you into something? Did you like that fellow?

Take different T-shirts out of your closet and try them on one after the other. Yes, I know, this is tiring, and the sole thought of having to try different garments makes most men break out in a cold sweat. Not you though, since you know that you’ll only have to do this once, and after that, you’ll have gained some very useful knowledge.

Ok, T-shirt no. 1: Look at the front of your body in the mirror. How long is the T-shirt? Does it go to your hips or your crotch? Is it fitted or loose? Are the sleeves, short, very short, long, loose, tight? Is the neckline round or angular, is it a V-neck, does the shirt have a collar? Also pay attention to how the different colours make you look. The more shirts you try on the better your intuition will become on what cuts look great on you and what colours give you special charisma. You’ll also know what pieces you should better avoid from the start when shopping. The general rule is that your upper body will seem elongated when you wear long shirts or shirts that are not tucked in and also trousers sitting low on the hips. In return, your legs look elongated in trousers sitting higher up on your hips/waist, shorter shirts or tucked-in shirts. Obviously, tight clothing emphasizes your natural shape, while looser garments flow around it. After trying on your T-shirts, you’ve made some good progress. Of course, you can do the same with your trousers, dress shirts and suits. It is crucial that you look at your whole body in the mirror and pay attention to your proportions and body shapes. Also, try different combinations with the respective garment.

When it comes to the choice of colours, building a wardrobe becomes easier when you determine a few basic colours that suit your type perfectly and are easily combinable with other colours. This is true of the basic colours for trousers and suits, but also for T-shirts and shirts. In a classic colour consultation, there is a distinction between warm tones (spring and autumn types) and cold tones (summer and winter types).

Choosing shirts and ties with patterns requires a sure instinct, and unfortunately, even seasoned sales assistants get sometimes led astray by their own likings. If you don’t feel comfortable in a patterned shirt as a general rule, it often means that unicoloured garments really suit you better. Don’t listen to clichés such as “Longitudinal stripes make you look slim”. Those are just very gross generalizations. A rule of thumb is that very slim men have a more ample scope when it comes to patterns.  If you count yourself among the weightier men, be careful and definitely try the plaid shirt in front of a mirror before buying it. Pay attention to the size of your facial features (eyes, nose, mouth). If those are rather small, it is better to pick smaller or thinner patterns or a unicoloured shirt paired with a moderately patterned tie. If your facial features are big, feel free to grab garments with big squares or a tie with wide stripes. Patterns that are too delicate could look strange. However, as mentioned before, your build also plays an important role in these decisions.

2.    The classic taste of a seasoned menswear sales assistant can save you. Have you
ever gone shopping with your wife or your sister? If so, you’ll know the famous statement “People are wearing this now” or “This is totally trendy at the moment”, and maybe you left with that pastel pink shirt or that too long frock. You’ve probably never worn either (voluntarily) but let them get dusty in your closet, and you’ve been annoyed because those items were the same price as a shirt or jacket that you could have chosen yourself. Please remember that women focus on other criteria than men when shopping for clothes. Many women focus on fashion, and our society also requires that to some extent. However, when they let the newest trends dictate their femininity, they often also tend to ask their husbands or brothers to dress “fashionable” rather than “manly”. Many men find that unpleasant, and hence they look for an ally. Men’s fashion doesn’t fluctuate as much as women’s fashion, and you can get great use for years out of well chosen garments. The sales assistant in a menswear shop may become an important helper. If he has a classic taste, you can trust that he will reliably keep you away from the strangest fashion trends that may be happening. He will talk you out of buying the double-breasted suit on a sale if he already knows that that type of suit won’t be fashionable anymore the season after. He will recommend a more neutral suit to you if you want to wear it only a few times a year, but on different occasions. He will be able to inform you what is best to wear for festive occasions, and if you yourself should get married, he won’t put you into a designer piece with all sorts of nick-nacks, but into an elegant high-quality suit, which you’ll be able to use later on. Furthermore, he’ll make sure that your garments fit you well, e.g. he will check on the length of your trousers and make sure your shirts and vests are taken in if needed. Once you have found a sales assistant like this you’ll be in good hands. Still, keep your courage and don’t get too stuck on one direction, and try new things sometimes.

3.    Knowing what occasions you’ll need garments for: a rule of thumb says that 80% of your wardrobe are garments for your daily life and 20% are garments for special occasions. Look at your closet and get rid of those pieces that you’ve been wanting to part with for a long time. Afterwards, divide your clothing into a few piles: job, leisure, evening, festive occasions etc., each for summer and winter. This will quickly show you where your wardrobe is lacking. Consider that you’ll also need clothing for funerals, working in the garden and going to the rubbish dump.

You love putting on your black jeans when going out with your wife but wonder every single time what top goes with them? You have a bunch of ties and many shirts, but are still clueless in front of your cupboard and ponder how to combine these garments ideally? You have a royal blue jacket that you never wear since you have neither a shirt nor a tie to go with it? Try different combinations from your existing wardrobe. If you find individual garments that don’t go with anything but that you want to keep, you’ll have to go shopping for them specifically. It’s best to take the respective garment with you. And don’t forget: the perfect fit is essential in order for you to feel comfortable in your clothes. – And your wife will be surprised how great you look.

More blogs on this topic:

Colour consultation for men

Image consultation for men

The male spring type

The male summer type

The male autumn type

The male winter type

Your wedding gown 2015 – for the most beautiful day of your life

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

You’re getting married! Congratulations! You want this to be the “most beautiful day of your life”, and the wedding gown plays a very special role. The cut, colour and design of the gown can be the main theme for the style of the whole wedding.

I recommend choosing your wedding gown first and deciding on the table decoration and bridal bouquet only afterwards. This way, you can tailor everything else to you and your groom as the central persons.

The colour of your gown:
Do you still have the little girls’ dream of marrying in white? Then do it! Your wedding is unique, and you don’t want to regret afterwards that you didn’t fulfill your dream, because you were afraid of being viewed as stuffy, childish or old-fashioned by others.

Of course, there are different whites: If you’ve already been to a colour consultation you’ll know that there are different shades of white: the pure, hard white, neutral wool-off-white or warm ivory. Warm, yellowish shades of white are found in the colour palettes of spring and autumn types, while summer types look best in wool-white, which can also be worn by winter types, besides pure white. It is important to emphasize your complexion to its best by the shade chosen and the colour of the wedding gown doesn’t make you look pale. Also try to consider whether or not you’ll be tanned on your wedding day, since that can make quite a difference, too.

If you decide on a colour other than white, there are no boundaries. Go by the same rule as for whites: choose a colour that makes you shine.

The style of your gown:
As with other garments, there are different styles of wedding gowns: classic, romantic, modern, natural, girl-like. In accordance with your personality, you’ll feel attracted by a certain style. Make sure the style of the dress flatters your figure. If you are small and delicate, a modern creation with massive details may look overpowering on you. Also, a girl-like dress with filigree elements might look weirdly lost on you if you are tall and have a voluptuous figure. The effect of the gown doesn’t only depend on your figure, but also on your personality. I hence recommend that you take a lot of time to look at yourself in every dress and listen to yourself: is that me? Or don’t I recognize the person in the mirror? It is crucial that you look authentic in your wedding dress. Put everything aside that looks like a disguise or makes you feel uncomfortable.

The fit of your gown:
Your wedding gown has to fit you like a glove. It is the most beautiful day of your life and you want to be the beaming bride. Don’t compromise on the fit. Every bridal shop has trained staff that will make changes exactly adjusted to your figure. If you feel there’s a lack of knowledge in that regard you should go to another shop. Take a close look in the mirror before possible changes are made: How does the dress look from the front, from the back, from the side? A dress that looks great from the front may, for example, have strange drapes over the buttocks, which you don’t like. The alteration tailor will know whether these drapes can be changed or not. Pay attention also to your proportions. The legs should optically be elongated rather than shortened. Are the details of the dress in alignment with your individual body features? A stand-up collar may bring out a long neck perfectly, but may make a short neck look stout.

How well can you move in your dress? Can you still lift your arms or do you have to keep them right by your sides? Is the skirt so tight that you can only pitter-patter or can you walk normally?

How long is the gown? Bear in mind that the fabric starts hanging a little bit in the course of a long day, that means it gives. The dress becomes longer. You shouldn’t choose the length to be all the way to the floor, because you may trip over your seam after a few hours unless you gather the dress with your hands. The length you choose also depends on whether you’d like to dance in your dress or not. If you want to dance, the dress should be ankle-length. Trains are not well-suited for dancing. Wedding gowns with trains usually have an option where you can put up or gather the train, but very often it doesn’t work that well in reality. Check twice if the mechanism really does what the bridal consultant promises you.

Shoes to go with your gown:
Again the question is: do you want to dance or not? If no, you can choose from the whole range of shoes. If yes, the shoes shouldn’t only be comfortable but also support your heels well. Make sure your foot can’t slip out at the back. Shoes with ankle ties are best. Waltz a round in the shop so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises at the wedding.

Lingerie for underneath your gown:
I’m sure you’ve seen the bridal collections of lingerie companies in a shop window or on a poster: white lace, tulle ribbons, garter belts etc. It all looks pretty but is often not workable with your gown. Have you worn a white lace slip, a white garter belt and stockings with white lace hems under a white dress before? Unless the fabric of the dress is very thick or consists of many layers on top of each other you can definitely see the lace shine through. Such lingerie is hence only conditionally suitable for bridal gowns. The best colour is mostly skin-colour and without lace. When trying on your wedding gown you should ask your consultant for advice straight away. She will often offer you slips and bras straight away so you can try them on underneath the dress.

A wedding gown for every season?
Make sure you consider the season when buying your wedding gown. If you marry in winter you have to pick a warm jacket or coat that goes with your dress. In summer the dress should be light, but a cardigan will protect you from rainy or cold weather also in the warm season. Make sure to have an umbrella ready just in case.

Someone to come with you:
If you don’t want to go looking for a dress on your own, take along only one person that you really trust and that you know won’t try to talk you into something. It could be your mother but also your future husband if you don’t care that he sees you in your wedding gown before the wedding. You should take a friend only if you’re convinced that you can rely on her advice and that she won’t decide based on her own preferences but that she will help you find a dress that truly suits you.

And finally – enjoy the most beautiful day of your life!

How to buy a bikini: summer 2015

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

… if the thought of a bikini gives you the heebie-jeebies

… if you’ve been wearing your bikini for five seasons

… if you are convinced that the bikini that suits you doesn’t exist

… if looking at the wild floral patterns and glittery sequins in the current swimwear collections gives you nightmares

… if you fear your partner’s comments when he sees you in your bikini for the first time

… if you’ve already decided not to go to the pool anymore

Keep your cool, wipe off the sweat and hitch up your knickers: you’ll buy a new bikini.

The earlier you start to look the more time you’ll have to get an overview and make a decision.

  1. It’s best to buy a bikini in March or in April at the latest. At this time, retail will have received the full assortment, and there is still enough to choose from.
  2. Before you go shopping, ask yourself what you especially liked or didn’t like about your last bikini. If you know, e.g., that you only feel comfortable in an underwire top you can skip looking at triangle tops altogether. Maybe you’ve also experienced that your bikini only fits perfectly if you can adjust it as much as possible, which means that you’d be best served with a triangle top. Try to remember what you’d like to pay attention to when buying your new bikini, but don’t focus too much on special details. It may turn out to be difficult to find a certain colour if it isn’t trendy at the moment or a bikini top with the same shimmering mother of pearl buttons that you already have.
  3. The fitting is crucial: are you wearing the right size bra and also bikini? Have you noticed how many women wear a bikini that doesn’t flatter their figure and sometimes downright disfigures them? In swimwear, the fabric gives when it’s wet, i.e. it widens. Because of that, a bikini that looked alright when it was dry may look saggy after swimming. This affects especially the top: many women wear bras and bikinis with way too wide underbust measurements. However, this part has to be tightly adjusted in order to support the bust. The length of the straps is secondary, but they should also be adjusted tightly. The sizing information provided by many underwear and swimwear brands is unfortunately often inconclusive. Very slim women may find it difficult to find a bikini or bra with tight enough underbust measurements. A triangle bikini top could be an alternative for them.
  4. The right colour: even tough not all colours are available every season, it makes sense to determine which colours might suit you and which ones might not. If you tend to always buy a black bikini but then get annoyed when seeing lots of other black bikinis by the pool you should consciously decide on another colour.
  5. Where would you like to wear the bikini? The warm and sulfurous water of a thermal bath puts a different kind of strain on the fabric of the bikini than the cool water of a pool or a lake. In general, the colour of a bikini fades after a while, just as the colour of a T-shirt fades when you wash it a lot. If you plan to primarily wear the bikini at a thermal bath, I would recommend a bikini without prints, sequins or other decorations.
  6. Do you want to go shopping on your own or together with someone? Maybe your husband would like to give you his opinion. You may find out that his view is entirely different from yours. Some problem areas may cease to exist, while he might point details regarding fit and fabric out to you, which you’ve never paid attention to. If you prefer taking a friend with you she should really know what suits you and your body and not only know all about the latest trends.
  7. Don’t forget about mail-order businesses, which often have a big collection of swimwear. It may be an alternative to order a few bikinis and try them on at home, especially if you’re unsatisfied with the choices you found in some shops.
  8. Now that you know what size you need, what aspects of the bikini you focus on and where you’ll wear it you’re almost ready to go. Don’t forget to take a shower before you leave as well as shave your legs, armpits and bikini line, just the way you’ll do it before going to the swimming pool. You’ll avoid exposing hairy legs to the sales person or your friend, and most women simply feel better when they look at a well taken-care-of body in the mirror of the fitting room.
  9. Make sure that the sales person shows you bikinis in your size – this is criterion no.1: your bikini has to fit like a glove. Take the time to look at yourself from all sides, not only from the front with your arms hanging by your sides. Does the slip fit well? Are the side seams or the waist band cutting in? Is the fabric wrinkly or loose around the buttocks? How does the top look? Is the underbust band tight enough? Can you tighten the straps enough? Does the top move or allow certain insights when you bend forward or sideward? Does the fabric have enough lining to not become see-through when wet? This is especially important for light colours. What do your proportions look like? Do your legs look longer or shorter, does the bosom look bigger or smaller, the buttocks rounder or flatter? Women with a long upper body, e.g., should be careful about slips with a very low waist, since these make the upper body look longer.
  10. Criterion no.2: how does the colour look on me? Consider that you buy your bikini at a time when your skin still seems paler, unless you go to the sun studio regularly. As a rule of thumb, if you know that you tan a lot in summer you can choose bright colours in accordance with your seasonal type (spring, summer, autumn or winter). Light types that only tan a little usually look better in pastel coulors. What about patterns? There are more patterned bikinis that plain-coloured ones, which surprises me since most women would look better in a plain-coloured bikini. Why? A swimsuit has a lot of space for patterns and prints, but a bikini has very little. When wearing a bikini, the focus is on your body, there is little that you don’t show of yourself. No garment we wear in public shows us as naked or vulnerable, and hence your personality is placed special emphasis on. The big amount of tanned skin and the expression of your individual personality are complemented more impressively by only one colour than by patterns (in different colours). Choosing a patterned bikini takes a sure instinct, else the bikini may just reduce a woman’s charisma.
  11. So, have you found your dream bikini? If yes, congratulations! Why don’t you
    treat yourself to a beach towel and beach shoes in style with your bikini? Remove the labels from your bikini and enjoy yourself swimming and tanning!

A little bikini-manual:

The triangle top has the advantage that the fit can be adjusted to the body better than with all other bikinis, especially when the top can be adjusted both in the neck and at the back and also the slip can be tied on the sides. The disadvantage is that a triangle bikini usually doesn’t have molded cups and hence doesn’t have the push-up effect or help shape the shape of the bosom

The wire-bikini usually corresponds to a classical bra: straps on the sides, clasp in the back. The wires help shape the cleavage. It is very important that the underbust band is tight and the straps can be adjusted.

In a bandeau bikini, the cups of the top are ruffled on the side. The straps may be fastened on the edges or in the middle, where the two cups meet, and very often the bandeau bikini doesn’t have straps at all. It is crucial that the top fits well. The advantage of this bikini is that the shoulders will be tanned seamlessly. However, the lack of straps looks disadvantageous on many women: the chest seems to be lower without the straps. When the straps are fastened in the middle of the top between the cups it may look as if the breasts were hanging downward on the outsides.

The push-up bikini optically lifts and enlarges the breasts most. The cut is very similar to a wire-bikini with integrated padding, which makes the

The male winter type

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

It seems as if nature had grabbed the quill instead of pencils and pastel colours and was drawing the landscape in sharp lines: White and black prevail in the scenery, colour is only added occasionally. The winter is in a strong contrast with the other three seasons: spring, which represents the awakening and blossoming of nature with its clear, vivid colours; summer, which embodies softness with its muffled pastel colours; autumn, the splendid colours of which symbolize the maturing of nature.

The male winter type:

Personal colour scheme: The eye colour of the male winter type may be deep black, onyx-coloured, intensely blue or sometimes teal. The hair colour is usually black. When the hair loses its natural pigmentation, it turns silver-grey, iron-grey or white at the temples, sometimes the very clear-defined beard remains black. The skin colour is olive, but there are also shades of peach or coral.

Physical traits (these are general tendencies of men with a winter colour scheme, no individual characterization): The build is long, slim and the contours are clear. The face is symmetrical, the posture and walk are dignified and elegant.

Personality traits (these are general tendencies of men with a winter colour scheme, no individual characterization): Male winter types seem to embody kings, princes, dukes and knights. They are polite gentlemen and behave very courteously to women.

They often work in administration, delegating physical tasks to others. Typical jobs are public relations and advertising. Their comprehensive vision often helps them get leading positions, in which it is vital to have an overview.

Male winter types usually have a calm, melodic voice. Just like the female winter types, they appreciate quiet a lot. They need a certain degree of silence around them every day.

Colours for the winter type: The values of the colours determine the quality of colours for the male winter type: the high contrasts between black and white, blue shades from light to dark and grey tones from light to dark come directly from the pure pigments. Many winter colours are characteristic of minerals or metals, such as silver, tin, chrome, black iron and glass. The combination of pure red or blue pigments into neutral colours creates drama and clarity. Smooth, firm fabrics are best suited for the male winter type.

White: pure white, blue-white, chalk-white, cool off-white

Black

Grey: anthracite, platinum, silver, light to medium grey, putty

Blue: marine, royal blue, black-blue, ice-blue

Green: fir-green, emerald, icy mint

Yellow: icy yellow, lemon

Red: blue-red, clear red, purple, ruby, scarlet

Pink: cyclamen, ice-rose, Erika rose

Violet: blue-violet, violet, lavender, lilac, ice-lilac

Brown: black-brown

Metals: Silver or white gold for jewelry such as watches of tiepins corresponds to the characteristics of the winter type better than yellow gold. Jewelry should be big, with clear lines, simple and dramatic, never to filigree, playful or delicate.

The male autumn type

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

The colourful landscape of autumn is marked by muffled, smoky tones as well as by bright, brilliant and spicy tones such as smoky yellow, fiery red and yellow-brown orange. A whiff of bronze seems to be lying above all of it. The green leaves of the trees turn golden, copper and red against the background of a teal-coloured sky – the only blue to be found in nature during the frosty, clear autumn months. This shade of blue goes so well with the other autumn colours, since it is metallic, stands out and seems strong just like those. Autumn shows its full, rich, heady ripeness, as powerful as the stormy autumn winds. The stock for winter has been stored. The fields have been harvested. It is the season of fulfillment and completion.

The male autumn type:

Personal colour scheme: The eyes of the male autumn type may be green, grey-green, yellow-green, hazelnut, olive, blue-green or brown with reddish spots. Very rarely are they a pure blue. The hair colour reaches from red to very dark brown. The skin tone is like tinged with bronze or brown tones, in lighter types there may be shades of amber or peach.

Physical traits (these are general tendencies of men with an autumn colour scheme, no individual characterization): the facial features are often irregular and bony, the face being relatively big in relation to the body. Autumn men have a strong build and are typically very resilient. They are characterized by a firm tread and seem to have inexhaustible energy.

Personality traits (these are general tendencies of men with an autumn colour scheme, no individual characterization): Autumn men seem to be made from steel. They are bubbling over with energy and are hard workers. They are especially predestined for administration, finance, electro-technology, construction technology and mining. Others work successfully in architecture or design. They also have a strong sense of drama, whether they love the theatre or compile presentations with a formally dramatic impact in their jobs. They have the drive, energy and vision for engaging in politics. They are strong leaders and value continuous meetings and gatherings with other people. Some male autumn types prefer jobs that allow them to work outdoors, such as lumberjacks.

Colours for the autumn type: Male autumn types prefer all the colours of autumn leaves: amber, rust, copper, gold, luscious and dark brown tones. They can also wear red tones that are mixed with brown. Different variants of wool-white, sandalwood and shades of honey are well suited for autumn types with red hair. Men whose skin contains orange pigments should avoid red tones. They look better in grey-beige, lute, cinnamon and rust-brown. The darkest representatives of the autumn type prefer olive, walnut and very dark shades of green.

Brown: coffee-brown, camelhair, rust-brown, ochre, brown-beige

Yellow: sunflower, dark corn yellow, orange-yellow, mustard, brass, bronze, gold

Red: orange, tomato, copper, brick, fiery red, salmon, brambleberry

Green: olive, moss, khaki, reed, warm blue-green

Blue: plum, larkspur, teal, peacock-blue

Metals: Gold is better suited for watches or tiepins on autumn types than silver. The autumn type may also wear brash or pompous designs.

The female autumn type

Monday, January 16th, 2012

The first bright days of autumn turn nature into a colourful landscape that resembles the luscious colours of an oil painting. The heat of summer has made the grass and leaves wither, and now they look dry, smoky, but at the same time bright, splendid and spicy with warm, yellow-brown orange, smoky yellow and brilliant fiery red. A whiff of bronze seems to be lying above all of it. The leaves of the trees shine golden, copper and red against the background of a teal-coloured sky – the only blue to be found in nature during the frosty, clear autumn months. This shade of blue goes so well with the other autumn colours, since it is metallic, stands out and seems strong just like those. The freshness and the overflowing character of spring as well as the softness of summer are over, and instead autumn shows its full, rich, heady ripeness, as powerful as the stormy autumn winds. The ripe grains, the golden pumpkins and the red, spicy winter apples have been stored. The fields have been harvested. It is the season of fulfillment and completion.

The musical expression of autumn is like the beating of cymbals – loud, clear, impressive, arousing, fantastic, with a power that can’t be ignored or overlooked. The vibrations can be felt long after the beat is over. This is how the personality of the female autumn type is clearly perceived by anyone who meets her.

The female autumn type:

Personal colour scheme: The pigmentation of the female autumn type is characterized by very different colours. The colour scheme seems covered in bronze. The eyes can be green, grey-green, yellow-green, hazelnut, olive, blue-green or brown with reddish spots. Hardly ever are the eyes a real blue. Red-haired women are clear autumn types, also women with metallic blond hair or brown hair with reddish or orange highlights. Some also have brown hair that doesn’t seem red but shows copper-coloured highlights. The skin tone goes from a very light brown and amber to a golden tone and a soft yellowish brown. Some autumn types also have ivory, cream- or peach-coloured skin.

There are three very different autumn types:

The metallic autumn type: This type has red hair and a clear, rich colour scheme. She embodies the beginning of autumn, when the colours in nature start to shine. The hair colour may also be cooper or oxidized gold with red highlights.

The tawny / yellow-brown autumn type: The hair of this type shows shades of chestnut-brown, dark red or mahogany, the skin tone is brownish. She can be the pert type with freckles that loves to be outside. The skin tone may also be white, bronze or peach-coloured.

The bronze and soft autumn type: This type usually has brown skin and brown hair or bronze-coloured skin and brown hair. Sometimes the colour of the face may be reddish.

Physical traits (these are general tendencies of women with an autumn colour scheme, no individual characterization): just as the mood of autumn is impressive, women with the autumn colour scheme are energetic, secure in their movements, with a firm tread, or wiry and agile. Some representatives are flexible with long legs, very slim and gracious. The facial features are clearly defined, the chin is pronounced. The head is often rather big in relation to the body. The usually striking face shapes the whole appearance.

Personality traits (these are general tendencies of women with an autumn colour scheme, no individual characterization): The female autumn type is a very positive, lively and dynamic personality. She can be dramatic, fast in her decisions and doesn’t leave other people guessing what she is thinking. She has her own opinion and marked preferences and dislikes, which she has a reason for. Her independence and individual thinking are characteristic. The female autumn type is a leader type and predestined to climb the career ladder. She has a strong longing for activities outside of the house, since the management of the household and the family doesn’t fulfill her sufficiently.

Colours for the autumn type:

Brown: coffee-brown, camelhair, rust-brown, ochre, brown-beige

Yellow: sunflower-yellow, dark corn-yellow, orange-yellow, mustard, brass, bronze, gold

Red: orange, tomato, copper, brick, fire-red, salmon, brambleberry

Green: olive-green, moss-green, khaki, reed, warm blue-green

Blue: plum, larkspur, teal, peacock-blue

The colour scheme of the autumn type is characterized by a luscious glow, which requires bright colours. The autumn type can wear spicy colour tones, shades of green, and also topaz, copper, bronze, polished gold, luscious turquoise and peacock-blue as well as brown tones with a tendency to terracotta and cinnamon. She can wear all orange red tones but should avoid blue-red tones. The colour palette of autumn doesn’t contain any pure colours, all colours are mixed with other tones.

Ornaments: Image consulting: The personality of autumn is best emphasized by lines expressing speed. Tips, such as the contours of a maple leaf, a palm leaf, a feather or an arrow, symbolize this type’s dramatic nature.

Effects: Image consulting: The colour scheme and the physical characteristics of the autumn type require lavish fabrics and luxurious ornaments. Fabrics that have a structure and also leather are well suited. Splendid fabrics such as brocade or velvet emphasize the autumn type’s charisma as well as striking or extravagant designs. She can also wear chiffon or lace, but should pay attention to the choice of colour. Those prints are recommended that correspond to autumn itself: leaves, effects resembling wood structures, ears, geometrical patterns, unusual and extraordinary effects. Flowers should be very stylized. Paisley and oriental patterns are well suited, paisley especially when interwoven with metallic threads. Flowers are not so well suited for the autumn type. If the autumn type still wants to wear them they should best have a clearly defined design, such as green or bronze orchids or chrysanthemums.

Jewelry and metals: Jewelry naturally enhances the autumn type’s charisma. The design should be rather pompous, such as wide golden bracelets or necklaces with several strings, or extraordinary, exotic jewelry. Jingling earrings and bracelets also correspond to the autumn type. Gold is better suited than silver. Amber is a typical gem for the autumn type.

Lipstick: Clear red and orange-red are the colours of the autumn type. She should avoid blue-red tones.

Perfume: The perfume for the autumn type shouldn’t fade too quickly. Oriental or spicy notes emphasize the autumn type’s character.

Focal points of the personality:
Image consulting: Those designs should be picked from the huge range of clothing that support the expression of the autumn type’s personality and enhance her individuality best. The signals clothing sends are nonverbal communication. Including design to express a trait of her personality helps the autumn woman to present herself successfully and become interesting to other people.

The following keywords contain a few possibilities of expression that correspond to most autumn types naturally: dynamics, liveliness, spice, warmth, energy, boldness, dramatic, exotic, flamboyance, shine.

The male summer type

Thursday, December 1st, 2011
The colours of a summer landscape resemble a painting made with pastel colours, even the luscious tones seem muffled. The green of the leaves is deeper in summer, muffled with shades of blue, which make the colours of spring cooler, as if they reflected the delicate blue of the summer sky. The warmth of the summer sun seems to bleach the colours to pastel colours, purple turning into lavender and mauve, and the gentle breeze hardly moves the leaves, which danced in the lively winds of spring. Summer is characterized by the gentleness of expression.
The male summer type:
Personal colour scheme: The eye colour of the male summer type is usually a deep blue-green or very light chalk-blue, sometimes brown. The hair colour reaches from taupe or grey-brown to black-brown. Sometimes the hair is ash-blond or light brown, without any yellowness. The complete colour scheme is tinged by shades of gray. The expression of summer is marked by elegance and delicateness.
Physical traits:
The face is usually strait or oval, only sometimes angular shaped or chiseled. Long legs, long arms and hands and a long neck are characteristic for the male summer type. The body is characterized by softly curved lines, his movements are light and sleek. The exceptions are smaller men of a more stocky build.
Personality traits (these are general tendencies of men with a summer colour scheme, no individual characterization):
Male summer types are typically perfect gentlemen and have an excellent sense of business. One of their strengths is being able to make use of detours. They are skilled negotiators and count mediating in difficult matters among their talents. The male summer type is interested in psychological and philosophical topics. Very often they work in research, but also in administration, accounting or clerical jobs. Many summer types follow their intuition and work as writers, poets, composers or musicians. They have no trouble living in both worlds.
Colours for the male summer type:
Male summer types prefer delicate, elegant gray- and blue-tones, pink-brown and deep ruby. The quality of the colours is muffled. Rough fabrics such as tweed are not advantageous, but smooth fabrics and the perfect fit of the clothes emphasize the summer type’s charisma.
Blue: marine, jeans, steel, smoke, azure, turquoise-blue, lavender
Grey: silver-grey in different degrees of lightness
Red: raspberry, watermelon, soft burgundy red, bordeaux, azalea, ruby to eggplant, cherry-red
Pink: dusky pink, peony, blue rose, soft violet tones, cool violet
Green: grey blue-green, turquoise green, mint, jade, woodruff
Brown: cocoa-brown light to dark with pinkish undertone
Yellow: lemon, light yellow, chrysanthemum
Metals:
Silver, platinum or very light rose-gold in soft, creative designs correspond to the summer type character. The summer type should make sure not to be literally crushed by too massive or dramatic jewelry.

The colours of a summer landscape resemble a painting made with pastel colours, even the luscious tones seem muffled. The green of the leaves is deeper in summer, muffled with shades of blue, which make the colours of spring cooler, as if they reflected the delicate blue of the summer sky. The warmth of the summer sun seems to bleach the colours to pastel colours, purple turning into lavender and mauve, and the gentle breeze hardly moves the leaves, which danced in the lively winds of spring. Summer is characterized by the gentleness of expression.

The male summer type:

Personal colour scheme: The eye colour of the male summer type is usually a deep blue-green or very light chalk-blue, sometimes brown. The hair colour reaches from taupe or grey-brown to black-brown. Sometimes the hair is ash-blond or light brown, without any yellowness. The complete colour scheme is tinged by shades of gray. The expression of summer is marked by elegance and delicateness.

Physical traits:

The face is usually strait or oval, only sometimes angular shaped or chiseled. Long legs, long arms and hands and a long neck are characteristic for the male summer type. The body is characterized by softly curved lines, his movements are light and sleek. The exceptions are smaller men of a more stocky build.

Personality traits (these are general tendencies of men with a summer colour scheme, no individual characterization):

Male summer types are typically perfect gentlemen and have an excellent sense of business. One of their strengths is being able to make use of detours. They are skilled negotiators and count mediating in difficult matters among their talents. The male summer type is interested in psychological and philosophical topics. Very often they work in research, but also in administration, accounting or clerical jobs. Many summer types follow their intuition and work as writers, poets, composers or musicians. They have no trouble living in both worlds.

Colours for the male summer type:

Male summer types prefer delicate, elegant gray- and blue-tones, pink-brown and deep ruby. The quality of the colours is muffled. Rough fabrics such as tweed are not advantageous, but smooth fabrics and the perfect fit of the clothes emphasize the summer type’s charisma.

Blue: marine, jeans, steel, smoke, azure, turquoise-blue, lavender

Grey: silver-grey in different degrees of lightness

Red: raspberry, watermelon, soft burgundy red, bordeaux, azalea, ruby to eggplant, cherry-red

Pink: dusky pink, peony, blue rose, soft violet tones, cool violet

Green: grey blue-green, turquoise green, mint, jade, woodruff

Brown: cocoa-brown light to dark with pinkish undertone

Yellow: lemon, light yellow, chrysanthemum

Metals:

Silver, platinum or very light rose-gold in soft, creative designs correspond to the summer type character. The summer type should make sure not to be literally crushed by too massive or dramatic jewelry.