Introduction to Personal Style (Re)Invention
Although we lived in different cities when we embarked on our careers, my dear sister and I would (almost) always call each other on Sunday afternoons, discuss the challenges of the week, inspire each other with new ideas on coping with work and trying new styles (also helpful with coping at work). We both decided to have our true colors analyzed (after I played just about every role (archetype personality) in David Zyla’s book Color Your Style), after which life went even better, and we enjoyed sending each other items that were not our colors, but would work amazing on the other sister, and then discussing how much better we (and everyone around us) felt in our own color personalities and shapes! Then, after talking for hours, when we had the week “all figured out,” we would finally end the call feeling happy and refreshed. That’s what www.freshurlwind.com hopes to do.
Background
Ah, those first impressions! Unfortunately, they usually take about five seconds to make and cannot be undone. So many people have testified that they starting acing interviews and attracting more positive attention after embracing their own true colors (and fabrics, home decor, and shapes)! Even if we’re already (almost) perfect, because everyone is beautiful, life is never static. Sure, everyone can wear any color she or he likes, but you know when you feel on top of the world, and you really want to express that and can’t wait to bring your own unique, exclusive self to the table in such an authentic way that no one can deny you? Wearing the colors meant for you as reflected by the warmth or coolness in your own tone is kind of like that. One either moves forward or backward at all times, so continuing to transform is an often fun, sometimes excruciating, ongoing process that is always in flux. Although we might not consider fashion to be an important career or relationship topic, many are the men and women who have repeatedly proven the power of portraying one’s own authentic personality and character through colors and cuts that match one’s essence. This essence appears in our general mood or perspective, as well as the warmth (with added yellow) or coolness of our skin undertones (regardless of how beautifully dark or light they are).
Most of us have heard of David Kibbe and the generic, seasonal color palettes, i.e., the fresh, warm, clear “Springs,” the deep, icy, equally-vivid “Winters,” the nurturing, luxurious, cool “Summers,” and the hot, dry, spicy, spirited, and equally-rich “Autumns.” Again, I want to stress that this has nothing to do with the actual color of the skin, as absolutely any person of any glorious color can most certainly wind up being any season. This is about the subtle nuances of underlying skin tone and personality that vary from individual to individual.
However, did you know that you were born with a special, individualized color palette, taken from the colors in your own body, that no one else on earth could possibly rock in quite the same, effective way?
Note! I said effective, not beautiful, because it’s really not so important to be (typically, generically) “beautiful” as it is to be authentic. (Haven’t you ever seen those supposedly “ugly” girls with the hottest of absolutely besotted guys, and vice versa, as in Beauty and the Beast?) This color knowledge is only one way to present your most authentic (and therefore most attractive and trustworthy) self in those first five seconds. Using these colors (and shapes) in your home is also vital!
Enter David Zyla and his book, Color Your Style. He encourages you to study your palms, eyes, hair, and wrists to discover the colors that reflect and enhance your own unique image. Before we start, you should know that if the colors in your palms naturally look smoothly-blended, you cannot be a Spring (crisp, warm) or Winter (sharp, cool) and are either a Summer (smooth, cool pinks) or Autumn (hot, blended, dry colors reminiscent of spices and flaming leaves). As for finding that “jumping-off point” for you as a unique individual, Zyla describes several different “archetypes” within each season, including the artists and typical fragrances that express each one!!! Additionally, he offers one-on-one color sessions in which he assembles your own personal color palette (like no other). He is an Emmy-Award-winning costume designer who effectively uses color and style on set, and his eye for color (and a person’s essence) is uncanny.
One more important note: You can have several variations of each color, from the lightest version you can pull off to the deepest tone, as long as it’s “in there.” (And this varies from season to season, person to person, so experiment with all nuances of each; take pics and ask the opinion of your most trusted confidantes.)
Essence
Hot, Spicy Autumn Essence Example (Photo by Mathias P.R. Reding from Pexels)
Cool, Clear Winter Essence Example (Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels)
Autumn Essence Possibility (Photo by Jess Loiterton from Pexels)
Light, Clear Winter Essence (Photo by Sandra Filipe from Pexels)
LIGHT, WARM SPRING ESSENCE (Your own essence tone is an excellent choice for your bathroom walls or bedroom, by the way, because of its intimate, comforting quality. Zyla noted that it is like a “hug.”) (Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels)
LIGHT/NEUTRAL SPRING ESSENCE (Example Only; your distinct tone will be different, according to whatever beige/pink tone harmonizes and smoothens the colors you see in your palm.) (Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels)
SUMMER ESSENCE (This is gentle and cool, but without the still, icy nature of the Winter Essence.) (Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels)
We start with Essence, your best version of open, vulnerable “white,” because this is the color that harmonizes everything else and can help you decide if you are wavering. If you place a shade of rose-brown, pinkish-beige, blushing-taupe, almond-peach, or burnt sienna-brown/chocolate cloth or color card in the palm of your hand, and the two tones of your hand look blotchy, not harmonized at all (though Winters and Springs will always be crisply defined, with noticeable pink(ish) fingertips), this is not your essence color.
When the color seems to harmonize/blend the two somewhat, like a “natural extension of yourself,” as Zyla puts it, literally making your palm look younger, this is your best “white,” the color you would wear during an intimate conversation when you need to be open and direct (but it is far too vulnerable to bring anywhere near the office).
Romance and Passion
SUMMER ROMANTIC (showing two of the intensity options; Summers can often go quite pale/pastel. See how soft, baked, luxurious, yet cool the colors are? I often confuse these with the hot, rich Autumn tones, but summers are softer and actually cool rather than hot, as though baked, then cooled.) (Photo by NOHK from Pexels)
MEDIUM AUTUMN ROMANTIC (See all the gold underneath?) (Photo by Ekaterina Belinskaya from Pexels)
WINTER ROMANTIC OPTION (Note how it’s bright and very cool even though it’s a slightly deep shade.) (Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels)
SPRING ROMANTIC OPTION (the belt, fresh and clear like the winter, but a bit warmer, i.e. just a few more yellow undertones) (Photo by Mathias P.R. Reding from Pexels)
Romantic is your version of “Red,” (not always romantic, but always passionate) with “red” in quotes because it is not exactly “red” for everyone any more than “white” is even white for many people (including myself –- as the “Maverick,” or “Tawny Spring,” my “white” is a fresh, almond/peach).
Sometimes your own “romantic red” is actually pink (mine is a deep, warm coral-pink), or even full-on coral (for warmer Springs). The color you see in your fingertips (especially when you squeeze them) is your romantic “red.” “Warm,” as you have seen, simply means that it has a little more yellow or gold underneath it.
This next part is something I noticed on myself to be the most accurate: The color your ears turn when it’s cold, I mean, FRIGID outside is actually your best version of “red”! If you are fortunate enough to live in a perennially-warm, temperate climate, try walking into a commercial freezer for a few minutes, but make sure you bring the key with you and wear a whistle around your neck! Of course, you could always try the old-fashioned, rejuvenating way – a bucket (or bowl) of ice-water.
Uber-Formal, Official “First-Base” Neutral
DEEP WINTER “FIRST BASE” (And lace is a typical “Winter” fabric, too, though this is more like crochet!) (Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels)
“FIRST BASE” FORMAL NEUTRAL OPTIONS FOR MOST SEASONS (Navy flatters most of us more than black does, and your “black” can even be a light blue on some occasions, as long as it’s the same warmth level as your deeper “black” tones to give off a formal vibe.) Possibilities only; look at the outer solid color of your eyes! (Photo by Sam Willis from Pexels)
Your “First Base” is your version of “black,” (from navy to cornflower blue, in my case). This is the color you would want for formal, “black-tie” dinners, important work meetings, perhaps with a dash of your “Dramatic” color (See below), as in a Dramatic blouse under a First-Base jacket for interviews), etc. If you want that “little black dress” (or long, flowing black dress for most Summers, or long, column sheath for most Autumns, or full, possibly lacy gown for many Winters), it should be this color.
To find your version of this powerful, no-nonsense basic tone, study your eyes in the mirror, noting all of the flecks of colors you never even saw before now, and then settle on the outside ring (however thick, since many people do not appear to even have a ring around the iris): That one, solid color around the mix of other colors. This solid, outer ring will be the color of the foundation of your work wardrobe, best for pants, bags, shoes, etc., but remember that too much of it all the time can be a bit moody and overwhelming for yourself and others.
Impressive Competence
SUMMER DRAMATIC POSSIBILITY (the blue tones) (See how it appears a little warmer than the Summer pinks and greys? The Dramatic tone often contrasts with the skin just enough for a stunning effect.) (Photo by Emeric Laperriere from Pexels)
AUTUMN DRAMATIC OPTION (the blue part) (Notice how much green is underneath the Autumn dramatic color, based on how much green is in that particular Autumn individual’s veins.) (Photo by Property off Nobody from Pexels)
A WARM SPRING DRAMATIC (Example only, as this may be closer to some Autumns’ Spa, or Tranquil, tones. Look at the colors in the veins on your wrist.) (Photo by Sami Abdullah of Pexels)
SPRING DRAMATIC EXAMPLE THAT IS NOT THAT WARM, BUT STILL CLEAR AND WITH SOME WARMTH (Note: Neither Springs nor Summers should have a large, optic, blindingly white background. That seems to be the territory of the Winters.) (Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels)
CLEAR, COLD, INTENSE WINTER DRAMATIC EXAMPLE (Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata from Pexels)
Your Dramatic color is what to wear to a first interview, to be taken seriously, as the guest of honor, or at a speaking engagement. It announces your presence ahead of you and asserts that you belong here and know exactly what you’re doing. Sometimes it can be so powerful, you only need a flash of it, as a blouse under a First-Base jacket, or a tiny splash of it to ensure you will not be “walked over” (but will also not “railroad” others) at any gathering or event.
To find this innately-driven color, study the veins on the inside of your wrist. (Isn’t that the best? Your “Power” color is literally taken from the color of the blood flowing in the depths of your being!)
Mark the most prominent, colorful blue, green, or blue-green vein, and that’s your Dramatic color! Take it, run with it, and exploit it in all its various intensities and iterations! (As mentioned previously, you can go a bit deeper or lighter, just be sure it’s still in the ballpark of the impression you get from this color. Quite often, the colors you are naturally drawn to are the ones that suit you best, and these are meant to be a beautiful celebration of your natural self. You can (and should) even bring your mind into it and enhance and cinematize the colors you see as you wish!
Business-Casual, “Second-Base” Neutral
LIGHT SPRING “BROWN,” OR “SECOND BASE” POSSIBILITY (EXAMPLE ONLY, AS SOME SPRINGS’ 2nd BASES ARE SHADES OF BEIGE OR EVEN WARM WINE) (Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels)
(Note how your hair may have a green cast (for Springs) or olive overtone (for Autumns), as mine, which actually appears to be bronzy, reddish brown but has a nuanced, greyish “green” cast which Zyla picked up during my session. Often, clothing from China that is labeled “gray” will have this greenish tone, but greenish/brownish “khaki” is not clear enough for this Spring. Your second base may also be chocolate.)
WINTER SECOND-BASE POSSIBILITY (The hair may be deepest brown but appear to have a purple overtone, or cast, in certain light. This should all be done beside an open window in the morning hours.) (Photo by Aishwarya Rivonker from Pexels)
SUMMER “SECOND BASE,” A GREY-TAUPE, OR GREYISH BEIGE, I.E., “GREIGE.” (Edited Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels)
AUTUMN SECOND-BASE NEUTRAL POSSIBILITY (Note how this same casual neutral of a hot, spicy Autumn might also show up as a clear-toned Winter’s “Essence” color with a skin-tone-harmonizing, intimate effect.) (Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels)
“Second-Base,” this safe, neutral, easy basic, is great for pants, jackets, and shoes on normal, “business casual” office days when you want to look polished but without creating conflict or intimidating anyone.
To find this moderate neutral, study your hair for the deepest color you can see, then stand back and examine your hair in different lights. What color seems to inspire this darkest shade of your hair? (Mine is actually a fresh, shale/grey-green, although my natural hair at first blush appears to be a bronzy, reddish-brown, so be open to suggestions as you ponder your head for a moment.)
“Go-Anywhere,” Supportive Energy (from the Eyes)
DEEP OR MEDIUM SUMMER ENERGY (OR DEEPEST SHADE FOR A CERTAIN SUMMER, FOR EXAMPLE) Eyes might appear blue, but have nuanced, purplish tendencies in certain lights, so look closely. (Photo by Владимир Васильев from Pexels)
AUTUMN ENERGY POSSIBILITY (Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 from Pexels)
ANOTHER AUTUMN ENERGY COLOR EXAMPLE (below right) of a DIFFERENT INTENSITY One person may have several different intensity levels of the same general “color,” as long as it’s “in there,” i.e. has the same “personality,” or level of warmth or clarity (or lack of clarity for more nuanced, complicated Summers, Autumns, and only some Springs). (Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels)
SPRING ENERGY POSSIBILITY, depending on the color of the eyes. (See below for how to tell. You may have green eyes buried in extra wide blue rims as I do. The true color is the one seeping out from under the pupil, the deepest color closest to the pupil.) (Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels)
WINTER ENERGY POSSIBILITY (Notice how stunning, icy/cold, and clear this color is!) (Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels)
ANOTHER WINTER ENERGY POSSIBILITY (Winters can also have green eyes, but the tone is clear, icy, absolute.) (Photo by Shane Kell of Pexels.) 
ANOTHER AUTUMN ENERGY POSSIBILITY (for a green-eyed Autumn) See the difference between this hot, spicy Autumn green Energy color and the still, icy Winter green above? (Photo by Marina Leonova of Pexels.)
When in doubt as to what to wear for a major piece (such as a top or pants or piece of statement jewelry), go to this Energy color! It can literally go anywhere, it is the authentic expression of your deepest source of energy for any event, and it has the most trustworthy effect as it offers friendly support to everyone around you, as well as to yourself. It is also probably your single, most-flattering hue.
To find this nearly-magical color for you, re-visit your eyes. Remember the dark, solid outer ring (however thick it may be, because some people do not appear to have “ringed” eyes, but they all have a general color encasing the color immediately beside the pupil).
That color seeping out from the pupil itself, to be clear, even if it’s a tiny smudge, is slightly deeper than the other flecks in your colorful iris encapsulates your “Energy.”
Relaxed “Third-Base” Neutral (for Holidays)
SPRING “KHAKI,” or “3rd-BASE” NEUTRAL Example (See how it’s gently, freshly warm instead of cool, nuanced slate-gray as in Summers, icy grey-blue as in Winters, or golden beige as in Autumns?)
MEDIUM OR DEEP SUMMER “THIRD BASE” OPTION (smoke)
(Note how these Summer gray colors are so nuanced, soft.) (Photo by Лев Рогожников from Pexels)
AUTUMN “THIRD BASE” EXAMPLE (the wooden post). See how dry yet rich it is, and the burnished tones are peeking out. (Photo by Tim Mossholder of Pexels.)
WINTER 3rd-BASE CASUAL NEUTRAL POSSIBILITY (Icy and absolute, often with a bluish undertone. If you are one of the few who look alive in this color, you are probably either Winter or Summer! And you can use your colors in your home décor as well!) (Photo by Curtis Adams of Pexels)
This “Third-Base” neutral is literally the color you would wear in relaxed pants to the beach, a modest dress to a Sunday brunch with your sister or best friend, or just hanging out with your friends and family during the holidays. You can “spice it up” with a tiny bit of your romantic color (for a romantic dinner date); your essence color (for a heart-to-heart talk with your spouse or family); or your energy color (for hanging out with new (or old) friends). It is your most approachable, inoffensive neutral, so make free use of it when you want to “get along” without making “waves.” (Although any of your own colors will make the best impression, some are more assertive than others.)
To find your “Third Base” most casual neutral, “re-bend” your hair, this time seeking the lightest of shades. I found this shade in the baby hairs underneath my bangs, where I saw lighter, blonder colors than I even knew I had in my hair.
If you have colored your hair, as most of us have, you can always study your eyebrows, particularly the outer ends of them, in the natural morning light beside a window.
And now, for that Empathetic “Spa,” a/k/a “Tranquil” Color!
POSSIBLE AUTUMN TRANQUIL (the lovely, rich, green tea) (Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels)
LIGHT SUMMER TRANQUIL, OR SPA, EXAMPLE (Both shades are demonstrating the different intensities one person may choose to wear at any given time. Notice how similar they are, but the yarn is just not as intense. Springs should “never wear shades of the same color” in one outfit because their essence is too dynamic, but genteel Summers would look stunning in an outfit of similar shades!) (Photo by Miriam Alonso from Pexels)
SPRING SPA EXAMPLE (the candles and maybe the apple) (Photo by Toni Cuenca of Pexels)
WINTER TRANQUIL EXAMPLE (And, tight checks are a typical Winter print, on the few occasions they will want to use a print! They typically rock color blocks, high contrasts, etc.) (Photo by Damir Mijailovic of Pexels)
This “Tranquil,” or “Spa,” color is what you want to wear when your best friend has just lost one of her dearest friends who seemed to (often quite literally) read her mind, who was also one of her lifetime heroes at the time, suddenly and forever at a young age. It’s a color that speaks more of the other than of yourself, and is already relaxing the other person by its very appearance.
To find this sweet, comforting color, study your eyes again. Remember all those flecks you saw just inside the outer ring when you found your formal “First Base”? The very lightest of those flecks sets the tone for your “spa” color. Remember, you can definitely use some “poetic license” with this, because the colors you wear should enhance as well as express. What color have you always loved that is closest to the color of those flecks, the shade that has always relaxed you whenever you saw it? That’s probably your Spa color. Marvel at the way God made you, trust your instinct, and own it!
Notes on Metals/Jewelry
Generally, icy, stunning Winters and cool, collected, magnetic Summers will tend to be all silver (both cooler tones); hot, rich Autumns will most likely be all gold, as will many Springs (although the David Zyla Early Spring will typically be all silver). Some Tawny Springs are all gold, and Zyla instructed me (as a light, neutral Tawny Spring) to use mostly silver, or to mix rose gold with silver.
Pastels
Some archetypes, like certain Springs, will not ever want to go too light with their tones, but most of us (especially both deep and light Summer tones/archetypes) will have a selection of “Pastels” to use as backgrounds for our prints. These are often just lighter, easier versions of our basic colors.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this can give you the basic idea of your own season (Winter, Spring, Summer, or Autumn) and how to break that down and use it for a more authentic, and therefore effective and credible, presentation of your character/essence both at work and at home. Hint: What kind of Winter, Spring, Summer, or Autumn you are brings your own unique personality into play! Don’t forget to review my “Expressive Style Transformation” post to see how to apply your own cuts, fabrics, and prints to these colors and put everything together! Again, David Zyla’s book Color Your Style goes into far greater detail on these points than I ever could in one post, but I hope to give you the general idea in case you wish to get started already, or even “DIY” this. You can also make your colors more cinematic, because this is supposed to celebrate and enhance. It’s you in your best mood, i.e., you, but lit!!!