Emma Stone's Mixed Blues (Bonus Andrew Garfield)

 

When I say that navy and red are neutrals and can be worn together with other colors I am serious.

First of all, the skirt is freaking adorable. Its 1960's secretarial vibe would normally lend itself to a pairing with a sleek button-down or even a bustier. I like that Emma has added super-trendy stripes to the look and, by doing so in the form of a t-shirt, adds a youthful edge.

The blue stripe of the shirt does not match the skirt. And it's cool. It's called 'tonal'. I don't love the sepia/sienna stripe in the shirt, but it acts as a nice, earthy base and works tonally with her hair.

To avoid that sepia washing out her complexion, she has added a turquoise collar necklace. It works well with both blues (more tonal) and looks great with the earth-tone. Plus, it's young and fresh.

As for the shoes: who doesn't love navy and red? The cut of the pump is flattering for her feet and legs and gives the whole look pizazz.

I guess that's just another 'Easy A' (wah-wah) for Emma Stone!

Sugar Cookie Princess

Sometimes, I compare the colors of my clothes to food.

It's an easy way to learn color and is more descriptive than 'orangey-red'. 'Orangey-red' could mean a number of things, but 'tomato-colored' is much more targeted.

When I am trying a new color or am attempting to pinpoint the shade that would look best on me, I mentally assign the color to a food item. Then, I section that food item off into groups.
This makes it easier for me to classify the color and, therefore decide if it is flattering.

Example: Beige

Biscuity (neutral)
-garbanzo bean (warm)
-snickerdoodle (neutral)
-mashed potatoes (cool)

See? I realize I sound a bit nuts, but it works for me. So, that brings me to my photo topic of the day: Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Charlene Wittstock, Princess of Monaco

Looks like she stole Kate's nude pumps.

This outfit is the color of a sugar cookie. It's a bit on the cool side and that works with her ice-blonde highlights and fair complexion. She has also grasped one of the keys to making a monochromatic look work: texture. Her skirt is a different texture than her belted poncho, which is a different texture than her leather gloves.

In short, this is fabulous.

But, don't get too excited.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert

We now have the Taupe Monster. Taupe does not have an assigned food because it is half gray and half brown and that's a pretty easy concept to grasp.

Now, I actually really like the dress. It's bold to swathe her strong swimmers shoulders in an origami napkin of velvet, but she is quite tall and carries it off. And I don't even mind the color as much as I mind her face paired with said color.

At least she has color on her nails...?

She could also use an eyebrow pencil.

She has no color. I mean, she's put purple on her eyes (which is a mistake in my opinion), but has nothing on her lips and no blush. She looks like a weird, unfinished mannequin. Ladies, this is why we need blush. And lipstick. Something. Anything. Help her.

And what is with the Tin Tin hair? That mess is so full of Dep it could withstand a hurricane.

And does her uni-sleeve have a thumb hole? That's a cute addition on a sweater or tee, but on a formal gown? No.

Tilda Swinton would have done this better. But I suppose that's unfair because, when it comes to fashion,  Tilda Swinton does everything better.

Charlene, you are both Doing It Right and Doing It Wrong. Kudos.

The Pale's Fall/Winter Color Palette

Matching or Not Matching.

This is ridiculous and a waste of money.


Everyone can wear every color- what makes it work is dictated by the tone. I'm not a huge proponent of Rules when it comes to fashion but, generally: the paler the skin the cooler the colors.  When I refer to colors as being Warm or Cool what I mean is that Warm colors usually have red bases whereas Cool ones are usually based with blue. Here's a great trick: put a piece of gold jewelry next to the color. Now swap it out for a piece of silver. Which looks "better"? More pleasing to your eye? If it's gold, then the color is probably Warm. Silver means it's probably Cool.

The main secret to Color? Trust your eyes. When something is off or doesn't look right, there's undoubtedly a good reason so skip it.

Here are some of my favorite colors for this Fall and Winter. There's something about jewel tones on The Pale that just really snaps. They create stark contrast against fair skin, yet have much more life than the traditional black and brown.

 Cranberry
Looks especially fetching on: brunettes, brown or hazel eyes

Kat Dennings

Dita von Teese

Cobalt
 Looks especially fetching on: redheads, blue or brown eyes

Emma Stone

Lily Donaldson

Emerald
Looks especially fetching on: blondes, green eyes

Nicola Roberts

Nicole Kidman

Eggplant
Looks especially fetching on: brunettes, blue or green eyes

Julianne Moore

Rose Byrne

A Swedish Elderberry Kiss

I just saw images from Vogue Sweden's featuring Frida Gustavsson in a 1940's-inspired shoot. It is amazing. Apart from her obvious beauty and killer bone structure, I was totally taken by the gorgeous shade of plum gracing her lips. She looks like a little Swedish milk maid who's just bitten into some freshly picked Elderberries.

On it's own, this shade could make her look like a goth Camden Town Chick. But the supporting colors chosen for these looks are petal pink, charcoal gray, burgundy, iris blue, and mint green. Flawless.

I'm picking up these lipsticks to see if I can match the look:

Smashbox Marvelous

Dior Addict Perfecto No. 991

I remember reading a positive review for this one on The Non Blonde. She loved it, so I will most definitely be giving it a try.

YSL Rouge Volupte No. 22 Exquisite Plum

Color Theory

Sometimes, we like things that are bad for us.


Diet Coke...
Jersey Shore...
Cheetos...
Twilight...


We know they are full of empty calories, hazardous chemicals, and dangerous relationship models, but we ingest them anyway. In small doses these are fairly harmless, but going on a bender makes us strung-out and bloated.

The same can be said for Color.

For example, I really enjoy the color orange. I think it's happy, reminds me of sunflowers, and is a fun bridge between red (a color I Love) and yellow (a color I Loathe). But I have to be very careful how I wear it. I am a Cool blonde and wearing too much Warm colors will make me look like a clown.

See what Scarlett Johansson has done here:

She is a lovely woman, but this is just Too Much. Too much eye makeup, too much necklace, too much Orange. She looks like she is screaming and it is intense.


Now take a looksie here:

Much better. Balanced. I'm not wild on the hair, but I will look past it to focus on the color of her lipstick. It is blue-based versus the offensive orange-based in the first picture. The blue balances better with her cool blonde hair color and the pink in her skin. Putting her in orange makes her look ill and just Wrong.

Often, when we are trying on clothing, we look in the mirror and say, "This is wrong. I don't know why it's wrong, but something is off." We may like the shape, style, fabric or designer of the item. Or sometimes, it is simply the best we can do at that moment so we settle.

Next time you are in this situation, think about the Color. Move to different light. The lights in the vast majority of fitting rooms are fluorescent and cast yellow or green hues. Try on the same item in a different color. Pick any color. Seriously. Just not the color you currently have on. If it still looks off, then don't buy it. Put it back. If it looks weird to you, then it will look weird to others, too. I promise.

Wearing a Boring color is infinitely better than wearing the Wrong one.