Once a trend in the 80’s, colour analysis is making a comeback thanks to social media but it’s also helping families with what to wear when planning photos.
While the craze has taken the internet by storm, Rockhampton colour analyst Jacquie Mackay from Imagine You, is seeing a surge in interest locally.
She says it’s because people are becoming more environmentally conscious of what they’re buying.
“We’ve been through this huge phase of buying everything under the sun because it’s cheap,” she said.
“[But] now we’re becoming more aware of fast fashion and its dangers to the environment.
“We’re thinking I’d rather buy something that I know is going to suit me and last many more years rather than a wardrobe full of rubbish.”
Benefits of colour analysis
If you’re not familiar with colour analysis, it’s a method that’s used to determine what colours best suit your skin tone, eye and hair colour.
Often people are draped in fabric swatches to see how different shades affect the appearance of their features.
Jacquie says there are numerous benefits to knowing what colours suit you.
“Personally I feel it helps people with their confidence because then they know that the colours that they’re wearing are the very best for them,” she said.
“So they present themselves as their very best to the world.
“I also have a belief that colours and the colours that you wear have an impact on your energy levels.”
Have you ever had a piece of clothing that sat in your cupboard for years?
When you first bought it you loved it but after the initial feel-good rush after buying it wore off, something just didn’t feel quite right about it?
“We’re still quite driven by trends,” said Jacquie.
“You get home and you’ve just spent $30, $50 on something you didn’t really need and is now not feeling so good anymore.
“We choose things based on liking a colour, not necessarily, do I like it on me?”
She says stores take advantage of this and have researched everything from their lighting to what music plays while you’re trying on clothes.
“You should think about what is the fabric? What is the colour? What is the style? And if you get those three things right, you know you’ve got an item in your wardrobe that you’re going to wear consistently and get a lot of wear out of it over a longer period,” said Jacquie.
She says a lot of people seek out her services when they’re going through a change in their life, from having a baby, to going through menopause and struggling with the changes in their body.
Jacquie says our skin and hair tones also change as we age, so something you looked great in 20 years ago, may not suit you as well now.
How colour analysis can help with what to wear for photos
Jacquie says knowing everyone’s colours in the family can help take a bit of the guess work out when planning outfits.
“If you wanted to go in light colours, do pay attention to ‘does that person have a warmer tone to their skin?’, then you’d be better off not to put them into a bright white, you’d be better off putting them in a rich cream,” she said.
Lots of bright white in photos can also look blue in the shadows or too bright outdoors.
Top tips for styling your Rockhampton family photos
- Say yes to colours that you love and suit you
- Make sure you choose clothing that gives you shape – shirts and dresses that hang off you make you look bigger in photos
- Thank goodness the matchy-matchy look of the 80s is behind us – compliment one another, don’t match
- Avoid logos, fluorescent colours, thin stripes and check, black and white
- Mix up the fabrics – knits, leather, tulle, satin, linen
Tips for dressing kids for photos
- No frills around the shoulders or neck – it can cover their faces
- Use nappy covers and bloomers under clothing
- If girls are in dresses, pop bike shorts underneath or tights
- Make it comfy and something they can run, jump and play in
- Don’t forget shoes – if you’re at the beach, opt for bare feet
Jacquie says she first had her colours done at the age of 17 but was unhappy with the results.
“I was devastated because I was told I was a summer and I couldn’t wear black and I really wanted to wear black,” she laughed.
And sadly Jacquie, black is off-limits to family photos too! But now, armed with colour analysis, you can style your family photos with confidence – because who said colours can’t be fun!?
Of if you’re preparing for your session and would love to know how to make the most out of it, you can read more here.