Style Refresh 2021: Vibrant Autumn
Happy Sunday and Happy Father’s Day!! Welcome back to my Style Refresh 2021: Vibrant Autumn!
That is the new me…a vibrant autumn…as confirmed by color consultant, Annie Castano, at CASTANOHEL
And I feel as though I am greeting an old friend with the new color palette…more about that below.
First, I would like to remind you of four things:
- My new tortoiseshell glasses were purchased recently to compliment the new warmer me, but they have blue-light protection lenses…so it is currently difficult to find the right ways to get photos without a blue or purple tint around my face.
- I am blessed to be able to work with Annie. She has been amazing, but most of us do not have those opportunities. So I am going to teach you what I have learned and at the end of each Style Refresh posts I will give you an action point!
- My colors and style will not be the same as many of you, but I will continue to bring ideas for everyone as I always have. My journey is not yours, but hopefully I can inspire and assist those of you who have said you need a refresh as well.
- I am a work in progress and taking you step by step on the journey. It is fun…but I am still working through all of it. I will share with you what I like and don’t like about the changes.
HOW WE GOT TO VIBRANT AUTUMN
I completely agree with Annie and everyone else that the best way to do a color consultation is in person…hair under a cap and no makeup on the face.
However, Annie is in London and I am in Texas…there is a pretty wide gap there. She has been tweaking and working with her program to do the best online consultations available.
Of course, she considered complexion, eyes and hair, but she also had me send her pictures…lots of pictures…including early ones where she is looking at original hair and skin color.
I was interested to learn that the colors people love and look best in are often the colors we are drawn to the most, including in how we decorate our homes.
For long- time -readers of this blog, you know my favorite season is autumn with it’s warm, toasty glow and I decorate my home with great warmth…I am even drawn to the Danish-hygge home decor….lot’s of warmth and coziness.
I have never liked a cool, modern style.
However, through Annie’s process of looking over old pictures, I, personally, faced a new revelation…..
VIBRANT AUTUMN TOOK A VACATION
Here I am in 2012 in a burnt orange sweater. In fact, in the early years of the blog and as a teacher, I wore vibrant autumn colors all year!
Looking at the older pictures smacked me in the face as I asked myself…where did this vibrant, creative woman go?…how did I become someone who wore black almost every day in the last 6 years?
I love the autumn palette…it resonates with me! When Annie says to me, “Pamela, your wardrobe should be a joy to look at and not a dread. It should reflect your personality,” I get it.
That is how I felt about many of those old pieces of clothing, but after I was pegged a WINTER, I discarded many of these original pieces....YES, I am kicking myself for that!
In talking with Annie, I realized I had been dressing more for the youthful-creative-professional world and not for me.
I am a warm, joyful individual and love that my new color palette will return me to that warmth.
ViBRANT AUTUMN IS BACK!
What I have been most fascinated with when I watch Annie work with others, is how wearing the right colors affects our faces.
When we have on the right colors, we light up…look healthy and rested…wrinkles soften and baggy eyes diminish. We look friendlier and more approachable. It is amazing to watch.
And inspires me to wear my colors every day. Why wouldn’t I? If my love of black or any colors in the winter palette make me look tired or older, then why wear them at all? (note: on a WINTER, the black and cool colors would have the same positive results)
Annie has counseled me to always have vibrant autumn colors near my face as often as possible. And to wear my colors even in seasons not typically associated with those colors…more about that later.
ANNIE’S FASHION MYTHS
Annie believes so strongly in the power of wearing the right colors to be the key to success for all individuals…men and women… to look our absolute best each and every day. (Her thoughts on business attire are fascinating!)
She got very passionate in discussing the harm the fashion media does to us. For example:
- We are told to wear black to look slimmer. (She believes any darker color will help us slim down and we look slimmer immediately in our face when wearing the right colors).
- We are told to wear trends each season to look youthful and current. (She says wearing the right colors and style personality will automatically do that without following a trend)
- We are told not to wear the same colors everyday or we will look boring and grumpy. (She believes the exact opposite. Wear our colors every day and we will look joyful and approachable…natural).
- We are told to wear what you like, even if it is not in our color palette. (Of course you can, but why would you as I said above when your colors will brighten and improve you look)
- We are told not to wear stand out pieces because you can’t wear them often. (Annie says..why not? If you have a great coat in your colors, wear it every day of winter because you look amazing in it!)
- We are told to have ten pieces in our wardrobe that include a Little Black Dress and a white shirt…these do not wear well on every woman and can cause frustration. If we wear pieces we are told to wear and they are not in our color palette, then we do not look out best and many get frustrated when looking in the mirror and think there is something wrong with them and not the clothes. She believes it can do great harm.
- We are told to buy more…more colors and more trends….(Annie says to buy less and buy smart!)
She doesn’t read fashion magazines. I don’t either, but it is mainly because they have become political magazines and not about fashion!
I realize some of these statements are controversial, but I think it is important to consider what she has to say. Be teachable and ponder the thoughts as I am doing.
STYLE REFRESH ACTION POINT
As promised…..
STYLE REFRESH ACTION POINT: Spend some time as I did with older images. Look at how you previously dressed and the colors you wore. Note which outfits you loved and which colors you loved wearing.
Ask yourself, has it changed? Are you wearing different colors now? If so, why? Make a folder and put those images in it. Think about the clothes that truly make you happy to wear them…what colors are they…put that in your folder.
I have so much to share with you as we go forward.
This coming week begins a streak of summer sales including Amazon Prime Day. Tomorrow I will share with you a special Chico’s post including sale information.
Tuesday, we return to Style Refresh. Please make comments or ask questions today….honor the father’s in your family….and always….
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Now, Happy Father’s Day to a great dad, husband and Pappa Joe! I love you, Mr. B!
Good morning Pam, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I look forward to your action points and insight into what you have learned. Although you always look great, I agree that you look vibrant in your autumn pictures. I was tagged as a summer in 1994 with color me beautiful and still feel I that is correct. I sometimes use the color pallet that was given to me but realized that my clothing purchases were dictated by sales. I needed to get away from this type of shopping. I have been working on it and do not impulse shop based on sales as much anymore, although still a work in progress. I’m going to pull out my color pallet this week and separate tops my based on color and see what I have in my pallet. Fortunately I have a ton of scarves to off set my black tops. I’m interested in what Ann says about make up, jewelry. Glasses any all accessories near the face. Again, thank you for inviting us on your journey. Have a blessed day. Betty
I am going to cover it all, Betty! So glad you are here!
For the woman who is always advising us to find joy, this is perfect. Vibrant and joyous! Your happiness simply jumps off the screen and I am so pleased for you. This is a fantastic journey that has brought you back to the road you should be on and I am excited to follow along and see what amazing things you have to share. Annie is so right about the lists that we are supposed to have in our closets, and I have never followed them either. The crisp white shirt is not a good look for me either. As you tell us, follow your joy, and there you are.
I look forward to the next installments in your metamorphosis
Firstly, really liking your wavy, highlighted hair!
Back in ’82, the sorority invited a few dozen girls for the “Color Me Beautiful” consultation. I was deemed a Spring. We each left with the book and our respective color swatches to take shopping. It completely changed my attitude towards wearing colors. As I’ve aged (hello platinum-white hair) I’ve reached a bit towards some Summer colors. But the warm Spring pallette is still my go-to, and my closest is a rainbow of those colors. Especially when I lived in tropical Florida.
Kudos to you for discovering yours! Orange looks fabulous on you too!
Good for you! I hope you can give advice to those of us with graying hair. The colors I used to wear don’t seem flattering as they once did. In fact, I seem to look washed out in most everything. I used to wear muted autumn colors but am a loss as to what has happened and it has affected the confidence in dressing I once had.
This is so great. I’m actually going through the same metamorphosis right now. 66, retired, live in jeans and sneakers. It’s easy, but it does get boring. I think I could even update those Jeans outfits into something fairly spectacular with the use of color.
I’m very intrigued by what’s going on here.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It’s helping so many of us women.
You look SO GOOD in those Autumn colors, Pam! I’m so glad you were able to connect with Annie!
Spot on! You look beautiful and vibrant!
You look radiantly happy in the oranges, and I am so pleased for you and the joy of this refresh. I wear lots of clear beautiful tones, choosing based on people’s positive reactions to me in “my colors”: butter yellow, peach, aqua, cornflower blue, and many shades of green. True white is also very much my friend, and I find I can pull off richer emerald and navy in the winter when my skin is at its palest. I am intrigued by the idea of selecting fewer garments and will be eagerly following along as you reveal everything you’re learning about this process.
Thanks for sharing your color story. I was told I was a summer years ago. Have not followed it completely but do know I can not wear browns or tans near my face. Your insights about general fashion choosing are right on. Am looking forward to your journey on your autumn colors.
Thanks so much, Diane! I believe I am finding even more joy in this journey…I am always joyful and optimistic, but this is helping me in many different ways. Keep Smiling!
I feel like Annie would tell you to stick with the original Spring colors and not change because your hair changed. But you also might listen to this IG interview Susan did where they discussed colors and gray hair: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJuXlbnAlS/
I hope you are on Instagram, Sue. Please listen to this interview Susan did last week on color and gray hair:https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJuXlbnAlS/
I will discuss my jeans soon, Mari! I also purchased some gold sneakers to go with my new colors…I love them!
You are the connecting ribbon Susan! Thank you for sharing that IG interview which ultimately connected Annie and I through IG. Your journey with color inspired me and I know is inspiring others.
Thank you Sherry! So glad to see you stop by!
It is very freeing, Connie. At first I thought shopping with my guidelines would be less fun and limiting…but just opposite…I have had more fun and it is very freeing to know what works and what doesn’t!
Makes you look vibrant! My epiphany is that I want nothing stiff or restrictive. Not too flowing, but simple lines, good fabrics, my winter colors. I buy a really beautiful artisan piece every season just to have a fun new piece. No uncomfortable underwear or shoes! No heavy handbags! Sounds like my age, right?
Thanks Sue…I have decided to make the commitment to follow this completely and see where it takes me. More to come!
Sounds like someone who knows what she wants…good for you Nyla. I will be discussing next week toward the end of the week, the word FLOWY. Hopefully see you then!
Your hair color and autumn colors light up your face! You look radiant and fantastic! I will be following along.
Thanks Dawn! So happy to have you here!
I love these posts and am learning along with you! Your hair looks fabulous with its natural wave! You are so vibrant regardless of what you wear but the Autumn palette sure does give your that extra “wow!!” and pizazz! Looking forward to hearing more about what types of eyeglasses to look for as I need a new pair. I am on the fence if I am a deep Autumn or a Winter so enjoying these posts very much! Happy Father’s Day to your hubby.
Thank you Lana! I went from a black frame to a tortoiseshell with gold on the side! More to come!
I suspected as much! You do come alive in the autumn palette! I look forward to your sharing the rest of your journey with us.
You were right! Thanks Penelope!
You look so much younger, a nd happier in you new colors. Before I say this- I am old school. ..your nail polish color needs to change also!
That is a terra cotta color well in my new palette! But at this moment I have a French manicure I am certain you would like better for summer! Learning to adapt an autumn to a summer season will be all about experimentation!! Thanks Marianne!
You look so approachable, fun, and creative in the orange blouse with the leopards!
Weren’t these adjectives some of your key style goals in the past?!
Thanks for taking us along on your journey, and having different assignments for us.
I cringe when I see old photos of me in all black!
I love the autumn colors on you! They fit your personality too. I adore your darker hair in the early photos. I am so happy for you!
I am a Winter. When I was in junior high, my mom was skeptical about my choosing a black jumper with a red & white checked blouse and a grey jumper with a white blouse. Instinctively, I knew where my eye was drawn was me!
I too have always thought I like the autumn season best, and therefore, wore olive greens, rusts, yellows, oranges. But once I had my analysis done and was determined to be a winter, I changed to darker blues, purples, maroons, blue-reds, rich greens, and it seemed that I got many more compliments and fewer “ you look so tired”! I’m still tempted to wear the colors you are showing us you wore and are wearing again, but I know they do not help my look. I’m very interested in the different aspects of what to wear that Annie is telling you, and you then share with us. And…you always look happy with your beautiful smile, but you have a different, better glow about you. Looking forward to future discussions.
I stopped reading fashion magazines in my 20s because I figured out that they were designed to make women feel bad about themselves, and to fit into that one mould. These magazines encourage excess consumption and conformity, not individuality and diversity. I believe that fashion magazines fuel harmful eating disorders and negative body attitudes. Not good.
I stick to the colors that suit me as much as possible, which means years can go by without suitable clothing colors in the shops. Certain stores sell the same drab colors that don’t suit me year after year. Maybe these colors suit the mass market. They don’t suit me. These stores are off my list.
My body shape determines purchases. Remember the decade when low-rise pants were all that was available? That wasn’t good at all.
I love a shot of black with the jewel tones that work for me. I will always love this look.
Why is it that winter coats come in black, and sometimes nothing but black in the warmest ones that we need for winters here? I get it: when you have to pay for quality, you don’t want a trendy color. Black doesn’t show the dirt from winter road sanding, etc. But please, surely navy blue is not trendy and also doesn’t show dirt. Anything but all black, all the time!
I am a “spring”. I like spring, summer and fall. I am not fond of winter. I associate winter with extreme cold.
I remember those older photos and the picture you used to have on the sidebar of your blog of you in the orange jacket. I always liked that color family on you. This is interesting and I agree with the “,myths” points. Scarves have been an important item in my wardrobe and I see Annie uses them also. I specifically look for bright patterns so that I can continue to confidently wear my beloved black and navy blue! Scarves are workhorses! I appreciate the detail you are going into here. I plan to look through old photos, and suspect that my preferences haven’t changed very much. Granted, the office life was a little stifling since I worked in very formal offices, but with retirement I’ve gone back to color and feel more positive. I appreciate the time you are taking with walking us through your journey!
Isn’t it funny how one comment from someone can make us completely change what we instinctively knew was right for us! It’s great to see that you made your way back to being an Autumn and the colors that are truly flattering to you and make you feel happy!
Thank you for giving us “assignments” so we can follow along and analyze ourselves.
This is great!
I love the summer colors and it’s my favorite season, but as I mentioned in a comment before, I was dubbed a spring. I’ve gotten compliments in wearing all colors, even black. I don’t like to wear orange or yellow, but get compliments when I do (rarely) wear those colors. I have ALL colors in my closet. Maybe as I follow along with you I’ll be able to once and for all figure out what my best colors are!
I understand completely your challenge with the blue light filter on your glasses. My last driver’s license photo shows me without my glasses, because the blue glare was an issue.
You do look good in Autumn colors, Pam. I was told many years ago that I was a Winter. Over the years my preferences have changed somewhat. I used to wear a lot of high contrast black and white based outfits. Now I’m in my 60’s and wearing more navy blue. I do think a seasonal color palette is helpful, and each season offers plenty of color choices.
How much fun is this!! You look fabulous, Pam — you usually do, but that orange makes you glow.
Interesting how you already KNEW the woman you are — and dressed accordingly in colours you knew worked best — but got sidetracked by trying to fulfill an image that wasn’t you. I wonder how many of us do this without even realizing it? Looking at the pictures of you in your autumn colours , all I can think is how confident, strong, elegant women rock! It really is an adventure & I can hardly wait for the next chapter 🙂
What a delightful story, Pamela. Some friends and I did have our colors done in a small-group session “back in the day,” and it was helpful to see how different we all were. I don’t like shopping and have never been stylish, so I treated my daughters to the same kind of session when they were in their teens. Now in my 70s, I feel more and more boring — and yet finding clothes that fit AND are the right colors AND that suit my casual life is hard, hard, hard. Especially as nearby stores shut down or scale back inventory. I’ve also read horror stories about returned online clothing being junked rather than re-sold — hard to get that true story. In short: I’m looking forward to hearing more about your jump-start to give me a little impetus to step out of my wardrobe doldrums!
You look fabulous in your Vibrant Autumn colors! Can’t wait to see how your style develops! I’m also an Autumn, a blue Autumn. Last fall I had an in person color analysis and it was really enlightening! Highly recommend it!!
Thanks Laurie…it is amazing how this new color focus inspires new direction and focus. Thanks for sharing.
All I can say is WOW! Those vibrant autumn colours are you for sure. 100%. I am taking all this information in as I would love to have my colours done by Annie but my budget may say otherwise. I know I am a Winter – but I cannot figure out which kind. Jewel? Sprinter Winter? Dark Winter? Anyway – I just love learning how this is working for you.
So glad to have you following along, Liz. I know that Annie is a huge help for me.