by Katie Hinderer

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2010

Color is as important in your wardrobe as style and fit - maybe even more so. You can have an excellently made shirt that fits you just right and flatters your body shape but if it's the wrong color it won't flatter you. On the other hand you can rock a top that is your color but not necessarily a great fit.

The Basics:
When it comes to fashion every color can be broken up into two categories. Blue-based. Yellow-based. Unless you are the one exception in the world, women can not be both blue-based and yellow-based. The easiest way to determine your appropriate color family by thinking over the outfits in your wardrobe that you are complimented on most often. It's likely they are all in the same family.

Still not sure where you stand? Stand in front of a mirror and hold up several different colored shirts under your face. One family will wash you out, the other will make your cheeks look a little rosier. The one that makes you appear more alive is your color. (Hint: the majority of women are blue-based.)

Blue-base colors: Blue (in all shades), most pinks, emerald green, deep ruby red, dark dark DARK chocolate, white, black. For jewelry you need silver.

Yellow-based colors: Yellow (in all shades) orange, most reds, brown, cream or off white, most greens. For jewelry you need gold.

TEAL! Teal is the miracle color. For some reason, maybe it's the subtle mix of both blue and yellow, but it looks good on every skin type, hair color and eye color! Plus it matches with a lot of colors in both families.

But I Don't Like My' Colors:
This is common. I, for example, love green in all shades. But I know that it is a color that I never get complimented on and I always look sick when wearing it. You will find that dressing and buying in your particular color family will provide you with endless options. if you are a blue person, for example, all your clothes will match. You can pair your black pants with any colored top and it will almost always look good. On the other hand if you have a couple yellows and browns thrown into the mix you won't get as much wear out of them because they don't coordinate with most of your other items.

Also, when you are in colors that flatter, you automatically feel more empowered. You feel uncomfortable in colors that make you look sick. You'll need to check your makeup less in the mirror, and wonder less why the circles under your eyes are more pronounced, when dressed in the right color. Plus, you'll attract more looks of appreciation when in a color that flatters.

Shoot! My closet is filled with colors that aren't right!

No worries. You don't need to run out right now and buy all new clothing. (Who has the money to do that anyway?!) Here's how to get around it now. Wear clothing in your color family close to your face. If you are wearing a brown skirt but a beautiful emerald green top, your face is still going to look good. Flip that color combo and you will appear sick.

Try accessories that are in your color family. Maybe pair a black skirt with a yellow top and a black scarf around your neck. If the yellow is not in your family the black will mute the color.

A Warning about Yellow and Red.

Both of these colors immediately attract attention. Which is great for some things but can be detrimental at other times. If you have a larger hip area do not wear a red or yellow belt slung low over that area. It will draw everyone's attention there and stretch you to seem wider than you already are.

On the other hand, if you are proportionally much smaller on the top and you desire to balance your silhouette wear red or yellow up there. Pair that with a dark basic, non-patterned bottom and you will achieve the desired look.

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