Colour Analysis

Colour analysis is a personal styling method used to identify the colours that are considered most flattering for you. It is partly based on your skin's undertone, which may be cool, neutral or warm.

People often come across the idea of undertones when choosing jewellery or makeup. For example, someone may prefer silver jewellery because they feel it compliments their skin tone better than gold. The same principle can be applied to clothing as understanding your seasonal palette makes it easier to choose clothes that suit you best.

During an in-person colour analysis a stylist compares different coloured fabrics against your face to see how each colour affects your overall appearance. The stylist then uses these observations to identify the seasonal palette that suits you best.

Colour analysis traditionally groups colours into four seasonal palettes: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Some colour analysts divide these seasons into four smaller subgroups. For example, Soft Summer, Cool Summer, True Summer and Light Summer.

To learn more about how to find your seasonal colour palette we have an article on our blog.

Finding clothes within your palette can be time consuming and difficult because you have to work out which seasonal palette each item belongs to.

Colourcat makes it easy by including a season symbol on the bottom right of each product image to highlight the palette Colourcat considers to be the best match.

Colourcat analyses and categorises items using machine learning techniques and Colourcat's chosen seasonal palettes. Particular consideration has been given to how colour is displayed and perceived on digital devices.

As lighting and product photography can affect how colours appear, this may influence Colourcat's analysis. Our seasonal classifications are therefore intended as a helpful shopping guide rather than a guarantee of how an item will look in person.

Wearing colours you feel good in can be a simple way to feel more confident.

There are also practical benefits to colour analysis. Instead of choosing clothes without a clear direction, your palette can provide a framework for building a wardrobe with clothes in colours that work well together. This may help you make more considered purchases and get more use from the clothes you own.

A colour-focused wardrobe can also make getting dressed easier. When colours naturally coordinate you spend less time deciding what to wear. Over time, your wardrobe will feel more cohesive and outfits will work effortlessly together.

Colour analysis is an established area of personal styling that is studied and practised by colour analysts and stylists around the world. Professional training explores areas such as colour theory.

The process of colour analysis considers characteristics such as undertone, contrast, depth, and overall harmony between a person and the colours they wear. As with many areas of personal styling there can be an element of professional interpretation, and different colour analysis systems may use slightly different methods or terminology.

Colour analysis is intended to be a helpful and inspiring guide and should not feel restrictive. Ultimately the most important thing is that you dress in a way that brings you joy.

You don't need to know your seasonal palette to use Colourcat. Feel free to ignore the season symbols if they aren't relevant to you.

We've designed Colourcat to be easy to use whether you're interested in seasonal colour analysis or simply want a better way to shop for clothes.