Rate this book

Color Your Style: How To Wear Your True Colors (2010)

by David Zyla(Favorite Author)

3.39 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0452296838 (ISBN13: 9780452296831)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Plume

review 1: I've recently been on a self improvement jag, so I've revamped my diet, exercise program, and closet to some degree and have been enjoying the process quite a bit. I was never a dowdy dresser and I had some sense of colors that look good on me, but I've also made some good changes as a result of realizing I fit into the winter color palette and that green is a good color. I picked up this book thinking it might add something to that discovery. I think its a good book for someone who has never been exposed to color theory but I personally found it a little frustrating because there are no pictures in the book and I am not going to the paint store for paint chips to try to name all the subtle hues in my coloring. On top of that, I am not fully on board with the 5 color th... moreeory that this book promulgates. I have hazel eyes - goldish green mixed with teal green and a reddish brown color around the pupil. They change colors but most people see dark green. I'm supposed to take the darkest of these three and that will be my energy color, one that grounds me, right? Well the only problem is this rust color looks horrible on me because my overall coloring is not autumn friendly. Same thing with the lightest part of my eye, which would be the golden green color. Think something unfortunate like baby food peas mixed with something ocher. This is the lightest color in my eye, but I look terrible in anything with any sort of yellow hue. Not a problem in my eye because the overall effect is to look dark green, which does look good on me. The "essence" color is supposed to be your version of white, but crikey this book did absolutely nothing to help me understand what that is - just telling me its the color that synthesizes the other colors in my skin tone is not helpful. On the plus side, the other two types of colors were spot on and it did correctly identify my seasonal coloring as winter. I liked the ideas of how to use color to match your mood and purpose when you dress and will likely take a few tips from here. Overall though, I can't say I recommend this book as its just doesn't give you enough tools to rely on. I'd give it 2.5 stars.
review 2: Provides guidelines for choosing colors that work for you, based on the colors in your skin, hair, and eyes. Not a bad system for choosing a set of colors that will almost always work well for you. Cons: It's not so easy to pick "a color that brings together all the tones in the palm of your hand." I consulted an artist friend, and I am still not sure we nailed it. A lot of the tasks are like that - there are many colors in one's eyes and hair strands, and it's hard to match them with paint chips, let alone give them a name. The instructions are a bit vague about what to do if you color your hair, or have gone gray or white. I think it goes too far when it tries to predict personality and personal style based on your colors, organized into seasons. And it doesn't tell you how to work with wardrobe staples like black and denim. No one is going to ditch all their basic black investment pieces just because a new book says charcoal is "your" black. Many retailers repeat the same black-navy-brown-tan-red colors and it can be very hard to find "your" colors. If you are already searching for fit and price, limiting yourself to special colors can make your choice *very* limited. If you have dark skin and eyes, I think it is going to present you with a very limited color palette.Pros: It did get me thinking about colors differently, and I do see why I have always felt good in certain colors. I have started using some colors closer to my face, or as accents with the existing neutrals in my wardrobe. Scarves, bags, and t-shirts are inexpensive ways to add the "right" colors. I do now look first for certain colors when I am shopping, or choosing between items. As I add new foundation pieces, like coats and suits, I will work harder to find my neutrals.This book is worth checking out of the library, and maybe having a fun outing with friends to work on your colors in a paint or fabric store. I would not buy it new. Apparently the author tours, and it might be fun to go to an appearance and see him do people's colors from the audience. less

Download links for: Color Your Style: How to Wear Your True Colors

Advertising