How to use a Color Swatch?

Do you know how to use a Color Swatch? And do you really need one?

A color swatch is a blending tool and I will show you exactly how to use it. You're not looking for an exact color match but a 'connection' so all your colors can sit happily together. 

Let's face it, now you've discovered the colors which make you look healthier and more attractive, then you want to wear them effectively. 

A color swatch shows you how your Color Family works. It holds every color you could want - all in the most flattering shades for YOU! A little confidence and you'll be on the way to a fully functioning wardrobe to save you both TIME and MONEY!

Do you feel an affinity with your color palette? 

Most people feel an affinity with their new Color Family or, at least, with some of the colors because your natural coloring and your instincts are connected.

Wow! it all begins to come to life and this is your opportunity to ensure that any future purchases will do you justice and your money is spent wisely. Carrying colors in your head is difficult and even more so under store lighting.

So although a digital color swatch is useful it cannot come close to the true colors of a fabric swatch.

Tonal or Seasonal ...

Whether it's Tonal or Seasonal your swatch is used in the same way. A family is linked by blood but a Color Family is linked with a common color characteristic.

Fan out your swatch and see how all the colors harmonize because of the common denominator - it ensures no color clash. 

How to use a color swatch as a blending tool ...

It's impossible and unnecessary to match swatch colors exactly and far too limiting. Just imagine trying to find a dress in the exact color turquoise of your swatch? Not only impossible but beyond frustrating! 

Each color family is a group of colors that harmonize and blend. There are thousands of shades between each of the colors you see, just like an artist's palette. You're looking for colors that connect and sit happily together.

Use your swatch with plain fabric

Hold your swatch against a plain fabric. Does it fit? Are there shades closely related? 

See the Cool swatch (above left) which has a blue undertone. The pink is not identical but it quite obviously has a connection. In the right hand image there is no color that anywhere nearly connects with the pink.

Warm on Warm has color connection; Warm on Cool has no connection!

This time I'm using a Warm swatch with a yellow undertone. On the left there is a distinct correlation between the peach background and the colors of the swatch.

Right, the blue toned pink has no connection to the golden tones of the swatch.

Use your color swatch with prints

You can use this method just as easily with prints. The Cool swatch (left below) has many color connections with the printed fabric and blends seamlessly. On the right, the Cool colors are very out of place on the warm colored fabric.

And now the Warm

The Warm swatch blends into a print with similar colors (below left). On the right, the Warm colors sit uncomfortably on the cool print there is no connection at all.

Whatever your Color Family you can use the same method in your current wardrobe and when you're shopping.

Use your color swatch in your closet

Take any garment, fan out your color swatch to similarly colored 'windows' and see if the colors are harmonious. Do the red windows appear to belong to your red sweater? Do the green windows sit happily with your green skirt?

Colors will rarely be identical, they could be lighter or deeper, you are just looking for the 'connection'. BUT if a color looks good with your fabric color swatch, it will look great on YOU!

But it does not happen overnight ...

A color co-ordinated wardrobe can take several years to evolve as you gradually replace garments. Even if you could afford to replace everything, it takes time to understand and feel comfortable with a new direction.

Begin by sorting out your current wardrobe and see what you have to work with. A collection of neutrals are the most useful items you can have initially, and a top in your best light - either white, off white or cream. 

Follow your new color swatch as you begin to add color. A t-shirt in one of your prettiest accents or just a scarf that introduces new color close to your face.

Choosing makeup colors

Choosing makeup colors is like choosing an outfit for your face so follow your color swatch and it's easy! Just follow the tones even if you choose to go lighter or deeper. easy when you follow your color swatch. Even nail polish follows suit!