Difference between revisions of "Choose an Evening Dress by Color"

#Determine your undertone. To find out your undertone, no matter what shade your skin is, turn your hand palm up and look at your wrist. If your veins look green or yellow, you are warm toned. If they look purple or blue, you are cool toned.<ref name="rf1">http://www.thefashionspot.com/style-trends/177555-color-theory-learn-which-colors-look-best-your-skin-tone/</ref> <ref name="rf2">http://verilymag.com/2015/10/color-theory-which-colors-suit-your-skin-tone-style</ref>

#*If you have cool undertones, you tend to look best in cool colors like blue, gray, and silver. Colors that remind you of the sky or of water will probably look good on you.<ref name="rf1" />   

#*If you have warm undertones, you tend to look best in earthy, warm colors like brown, gold, and dark green.<ref name="rf1" />  

#Determine whether you’re dark or light. Once you know your undertone, use your natural hair color to help determine whether you’re dark or light. This will help you further refine which colors look best with your undertone.<ref name="rf3">https://www.groupon.com/articles/stylist-tells-us-how-to-choose-flattering-colors-sb</ref>

#*If you have cool undertones and dark hair without reddish highlights you are a Dark-Cool. This means that you most likely look great in bright, vibrant jewel tones like turquoise or indigo. It also means that warm pastels like peach and soft pink don’t look good on you. Most women are Dark-Cools.<ref name="rf2" />  

#*If you have cool undertones and naturally blonde or light brown hair without reddish highlights you are a Light-Cool. This means that you probably look best in pale, cool colors like baby blue and lavender, but not in more saturated, earthy tones.<ref name="rf2" />

#*If you have warm undertones and brown hair with reddish highlights or dark red hair, you are a Warm-Dark. Warm-Darks look best in earthy, saturated colors like gold, olive, and rust but tend to be washed out in bright red shades.<ref name="rf2" />  

#*If you have warm undertones and blonde hair with reddish highlights, bright red hair, or golden blonde hair, you are a Light-Warm. You probably look best in soft, pale colors like ivory and powdery pink. However, you coloring can be overpowered by harsh, saturated colors like deep black or navy.<ref name="rf2" />

#Consider your eye color. Nothing is more dramatic in style than wearing a dress that brings out your eyes. Green, blue, and hazel eyes look great when paired with lighter colored dresses. Dark, earthy shades tend to make brown and very dark eyes look nice. You can also match your dress to your eye color.<ref name="rf3" />

#Remember that some colors look good on most people. There’s a shade of red for every skin tone, for example.<ref name="rf3" /> Black or darker shades of gray are another failsafe. And there’s a shade of white or off-white that flatters just about everyone.<ref name="rf4">http://www.formalworkattire.com/choosing-formal-dresses-for-women/</ref>

#Try on new colors. Shade (light/dark) and undertone (warm/cool) are not iron clad rules; plenty of people fall somewhere in between, and some colors can look good with unexpected shades and undertones. Bottom line: if you see a color you like, try it on. It just might look fabulous on you.<ref name="rf1" />

#*Sometimes a little more makeup will do the trick too. Concealer, foundation, and blush can help tired, sallow skin look more lively, and as a result, you’ll look better in more colors.<ref name="rf5">http://into-mind.com/blog/2013/10/06/colour-analysis-part-iii-how-to-use-your-colours/</ref>

#*Black conveys power and confidence. It’s hard to get more elegant than a black dress with a perfect fit.<ref name="rf6">http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html</ref>

#Remember that not all colors are considered appropriate for all events. Make sure that you pay attention to any dress code information associated with the event you’re going to. Wearing a neon green mini-dress to a black tie event will get you some dirty looks—and may get you kicked out.<ref name="rf4" />

#*Dark colors tend to be standard for formal evening events, although if you want to stand out and draw attention wearing something bright will help you do that.<ref name="rf7">http://www.ebay.com/gds/5-Things-to-Consider-when-Choosing-a-Party-Dress-/10000000177747953/g.html</ref>

#*Prints and patterns are better for casual or daytime events. Generally, an evening gown should be made out of solid-colored fabric. Brighter, more vibrant colors are also more common at these events.<ref name="rf8">http://www.thechicfashionista.com/formal-evening-gowns.html</ref>

#*Neutral colors like black, white, gray, brown, and navy are appropriate for any event, though they won’t help you stand out if you want to.<ref name="rf7" />  

#*Wear darker colors in places you want to look smaller. If you’re self-conscious about your hips, for example, wearing a dark skirt will make them look slimmer. However, if you’re especially slender already, dark colors may make you look bony.<ref name="rf9">http://www.ebay.com/gds/6-Genius-Styling-Tips-for-Cocktail-Dresses-/10000000177629791/g.html</ref> <ref name="rf10">http://www.smartwomenonthego.com/how-to-dress-for-your-body-type-its-a-balancing-act/</ref>  

#*Wear bright or light colors in places you want to look bigger or places you want to make stand out.<ref name="rf10" /> If you want to draw attention to your chest, for instance, choose a dress which has bright colors around the bust line. You can also use bright colors can also draw attention away from areas you don’t love by choosing a dress that is bright far from your trouble area but dark in the trouble area.  

#*Wear a solid-colored dress under an open jacket of a different color to create a “column” effect which can help camouflage a bigger midsection. You can achieve this effect with a well-placed shawl or scarf, as well.<ref name="rf10" />

#*Huge prints can overwhelm very small women, but they can also draw attention to larger bodies as well. If you want to attract the eye to a specific part of your body, a big, loud print can do that. But if you don’t want to attract attention, a smaller, more subtle print is better. <ref name="rf9" /> If you’re biggest on the top or in the middle, keep prints either on the bottom of your dress or all over; don’t wear a dress that has a print only on the top.<ref name="rf11">http://extension.illinois.edu/dress/02clothes-02compliment.cfm</ref>

#*To draw attention to your face, wear flattering, brighter colors as accents near your face. Colors that match or complement your eyes and lighten your face are especially effective.<ref name="rf10" />

#*Busty women have large breasts, but narrow hips and straight waists. They look best in dresses that draw attention to their faces and balance out their lower halves with a full or A-line skirt. Watch out that your skirt doesn’t get too short; it’ll make you look top-heavy.<ref name="rf12">http://www.promgirl.com/shop/body_types</ref>

#*Pear-shaped women have wider hips and smaller breasts, with a well-defined waist. To create a balanced look, wear a dress which is strapless or has an open neck and has embellishments and detail around the neck or bust.<ref name="rf4" />A fitted waist is best, and a full or A-line skirt which is knee-length or lower will hide your wide hips—if you want to hide them.<ref name="rf12" />

#*The hourglass figure has proportionate bust and hips with a well-defined waist. If this is you, pick a dress which will accentuate that waist, with a fitted bodice and V- or open neckline. Hourglass figures look great in both full and form-fitting skirts.<ref name="rf12" />

#*Petite women are 5’3” or shorter. If this is you, an asymmetric hemline will make you look taller, and shorter skirts are generally more flattering. V- necks and vertical prints will make you look longer. Very long skirts—and especially long, full skirts—will usually overwhelm your frame and make you (and your legs) look shorter.<ref name="rf12" />  

#Think about length. Depending on the event, some lengths may night be considered appropriate.  If you’re going to a formal event, you will generally be expected to wear a longer dress (slits are generally okay, as long as they’re tasteful). At a more casual event, or a semi-formal event which calls for a cocktail or party dress, shorter skirts are acceptable, again, as long as they’re tasteful.<ref name="rf4" />

#Learn the color wheel. The color wheel is exactly what it sounds like: a big circle broken into different colors, which allows you to look at 12 colors at once. Each color on the wheel represents all shades of that color, so the green wedge on the color wheel represents dark, pale, and bright greens. Once you know the tricks of the color wheel, it can be super useful for figuring out which accessories in which colors will work best with the color of your dress.<ref name="rf1" />

#*It’s generally a good idea to keep your outfit down to three main colors or fewer.<ref name="rf13">http://lifehacker.com/learn-the-basics-of-color-theory-to-know-what-looks-goo-1608972072</ref>  

#Place the most flattering colors nearest to your face. When accessorizing, always place the colors that work best with your undertone (and eyes) nearest to your face—in accessories like your earrings, necklace, or scarf. Colors that don’t look great with your natural coloring should go further away—in accessories like your shoes or bag.<ref name="rf1" />

#Wear pantyhose. Hose can make your figure look smoother and thinner. Colored hose can also make your legs look longer when you match them to the color on your hem and shoes.<ref name="rf10" />