Author: Tracey McAlpine Category: Lifestyle, Fashion & Style
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Finding clothes in colours that really suit you is easy with Kettlewell Colours

I recently cleared my wardrobe in anticipation of visiting Kettlewell Colours.  Most of the clothes left are black with a smattering of bright colours.  I feel safe in black but it doesn’t stand out, it doesn’t say ‘hey look here I’m not invisible’ in quite the same way that colour does.  Colour screams at you to be noticed.  During my clear-out, I was thinking about my relationship with clothes and how I go about buying them.  I’m a complete sucker for a bargain and often hastily purchase something based on the price.  Even though I’ve trained myself to listen to Gok Wan’s advice that if you don’t absolutely love something – don’t buy it.  

The clothes that I have invested time and money in are the ones that I wear consistently.  The bright colours in my wardrobe really stand out, they lift the mood and improve my complexion.  But how exactly do you know which colours suit you and more importantly where to buy them.  To find out I travelled to Somerset to meet Melissa Nicholson, Co-Founder of Kettlewell Colours and Jo Greene, Personal Stylist and Colour Analysis Expert with House of Colour.

Having your colours analysed has never gone out of fashion

You may remember how popular it was to have your colours analysed during the 80s, although I didn’t have mine done professionally I did have a copy of the Colour Me Beautiful Book.  What I didn’t realise is that House of Colour was also founded during the 80s and both companies are still going strong.

The inspiration behind Kettlewell Colours

When Melissa Nicholson and her husband John left London to bring up their children in the countryside, Melissa knew she wanted to start a company surrounded by colour.  Following her own colour analysis, she knew how hard it was for women to put their new-found knowledge into practice and buy colour on the high street.  Kettlewell was born over ten years ago and continues to expand. The company now supplies 150 colours in a range of eye-catching separates which can seamlessly lift and enhance your existing wardrobe.  

 

Coloured clothes from Kettlewell

Which colours really suit me

After a warm welcome to the light and airy Kettlewell headquarters, Jo set to work draping a collection of colours around my neck to see the difference they made to my complexion.  I know how different makeup can enhance or drain your face but, I’ve never seen just how powerful colour can be when it’s held close to your face.  I literally looked either anaemic or jaundiced in some colours and really well in others.  After about an hour’s consultation Jo had narrowed down the colours that suited me and decided that I was a Cool Winter.  This is based on colouring as well as complexion and takes into account your natural hair colour.  We covered mine with a white scarf as my hair is coloured a few shades darker than my natural colour to cover the grey.  The outcome was that dark jewel colours really suit me best, they work well with my hair colour, my eyes and my hair.  They bring my complexion alive and make me look well.  I have noticed when I look back at the videos I’ve created over the past few years, the one’s I like best are the ones where I have worn a flattering colour.

Thankfully I can wear black so most of my wardrobe is safe!

How to choose your Kettlewell Colours

Once Jo had established that I was a Cool Winter, she then rated the colours and shades and marked then into a Colour Analysis book.  For example, a colour with a 100% rating is one that you can wear in a single colour block, from top to toe.  If the colour is given two stars it’s an outstanding colour for you.  The grading then goes down, 75% for coats, suits, sundresses and patterned dresses.  50% for tops, sweaters, trousers, skirts and jackets and lastly 25%, patterns, scarves, belts, shoes and bags.  Each colour is clearly given a rating so you even know which outfit to choose in each colour.  This is where the colour analysis has moved on since the 80s, you are now advised on actual shades and garments.  You are not just identified by season; the analysis is more thorough and narrows down the colours which suit you.  I was given a useful wallet of 36 pantone colours that I can take shopping as a reminder of what works best for me.

What if I haven’t had a colour analysis, can I still choose clothes from Kettlewell Colours?

Kettlewell make it easy for everyone to add colour to their wardrobe.  You can take the online Colour Quiz and find out which colours suit you.  This won’t be quite as accurate as having a colour analysis, but it gives you a good idea of how to choose well for your colouring.

Finding the right colours and then the right clothes

Once we had established I was a Cool Winter and suited dark jewel colours, Melissa selected some clothes for me to try.  Watch our video below and see how I look when I start to embrace some brighter bolder colours.

 

 

If you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe then Kettlewell Colours is the place to start.  There’s a huge selection of clothes and colours to choose from.  The easy to navigate website is a pleasure to use and the Shop by Colour section makes it simple to find clothes in your best colours.

Colour, style and quality – Kettlewell has it all!

 

Kettlewell Colours  House of Colour

This is a sponsored post created on behalf of Kettlewell Colours – the words, views and video are my own