Your True Colors

DEAR ABBEY: How do I go about finding my color season? I am unsure where to start when finding the right color palette for my skin tone, eye color etc. Please help!

DEAR TRUE COLORS: Discovering your color season doesn't have to be intimidating and can actually make the biggest impact on your wardrobe. Once you are able to zero in on your palette, finding something to wear will be a breeze. Stick with me on this post as I hit the highlights on each color season and give some insight on deciding which palette works for you.

A Winter Palette is full of cool, deep colors. Think more along the lines of jewel-based tones like sapphire blue and emerald green. These vibrant colors are crisp and cool and typically look best on people whose skin tone, eye color, and hair color contrast. Those of you in this category can choose to be BOLD! Vibrant, intense colors are your go-to hues. Here are a few examples of wintery babes:

Zoey Deschanel

Lupita Nyong'o

Olivia Munn

Selena Gomez

Like the actual season, colors within the Spring palette are bright and cheerful. The best way to categorize the hues of this palette would be by comparing them to the green grass and bright tulips that surface this time of year. People who rock "Spring coloring" are often fair-skinned with natural blonde or auburn hair. Sometimes the best colors from this palette are hard to come by as they should not be too muted or too dark. Colors such as pure white or black tend to be too heavy and contrasting for this skin tone. Check out these Spring beauties:

Emma Stone

Amanda Seyfried

Amy Adams

Kate Hudson

The Summer palette consists of soft colors and is often described as the pastel version of the Winter palette. Think white beaches, baby blue water, and a quiet seafoam green when choosing hues from this palette. Generally speaking, people in this season have a low contrast between their eye color, hair color, and skin tone. Muted tones often look best, while more intense colors tend to be too overpowering and have the ability to wash you out. Here are some examples of Summer beauties:

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Rachel McAdams

Gwyneth Paltrow

Emily Blunt

Like the falling leaves in this season, the Autumn palette boasts all things rich and golden. Shades of mustard, pumpkin, avocado and camel lead the pack among favorites within this season. People who lean towards this season typically have more depth in their eye color, skin tone, and hair color. This complexion is always accented by rich, golden undertones and warm, earthy colors. Pastels or bright colors should usually be avoided as they can make these skin tones appear pale or washed out. Here are a few examples of Autumn beauties:

Jessica Alba

Hoda Kotb

Jennifer Lopez

Kim Kardashian

When researching the science behind finding your perfect season, it can feel overwhelming and like you need a doctorate to solve the equation. In all honesty, I almost gave up on this assignment as I started compiling information on this topic. There is A LOT to read about and understand, but what I found was that although this information is important, it is not completely necessary for discovering what colors actually look the best with your complexion. Here is what I came up with:

Step One: Throw on a plain white shirt as a neutral base.

Step Two: Compile articles of clothing, fabric, curtains, honestly anything laying around your house that is a solid color and can be easily draped under your chin. Try and find colors that are completely different and from each of the season charts listed at the beginning of this article. This will give you some good insight on where to start.

Step Three: Start your experiment in a well-lit room. Preferably one with natural light and a decent-sized mirror.

Step Four: Place each color under your chin one at a time and examine how the color works with your skin tone. Does it make you appear pale? Does it brighten your face? Play with the colors to determine which ones look the best and ultimately which season you belong to.

Once you have established your perfect palette, putting together outfits from your closet or adding new pieces to your wardrobe will be so much easier. Choosing the colors that are right for you will also help you look and feel better about what you are wearing. You've got this, girl! Now go find your season.

Submit all of your fashion questions and concerns to bromleyandbrown@gmail.com for future Dear Abbey posts.