Color Therapy – Brighten Up Winter Blues With a Shot of Color

By Brian Maynor
February 7, 2014

February is here, which means we are in the home stretch of winter.  If you’re like me, craving every second of sunlight, then you have noticed the days are noticeably getting longer, but winter isn’t over yet.

We still have a few more weeks of cold, wet, dreary weather ahead of us, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be dark and grey.  Colors are great ways to accent your outfit and they are therapeutic, evoking various feelings and subconscious responses, but there is also a lot of jargon around color that is important to understand.  Here are some of the key words and concepts you need to know about colors and how to use them:  

1. Hue.  The main quality of a color that distinguishes them from each other, like primary colors.  Black, white and grey are considered neutral colors because they do not have hues.  The common use of the phrase ‘neutral color’ is less technical and refers to colors that work with the vast majority of other colors.
2. Value.  The lightness or darkness of a color, the difference between light blue and dark blue, and refers to the amount of light a color reflects.  
3. Tint.  A hue that has been lightened by adding white.  Pink is a tint of red.
4. Shade.  A hue that has been darkened by adding black.  Maroon is a shade of red.  Again technical definitions aside, common vernacular has linked these two terms together using ‘shade’ to describe any variation of a pure tone, lighter or darker.  ‘That top is a great shade of pink.’
5. Undertone.  The temperature of a color, meaning the coolness or warmth it emits.  Taking the five basic hues and adding blue or yellow derives the undertone.  Blue undertones are the cooler colors like blue-green or blue-red and yellow undertones are the warmer colors like yellow-green and yellow-red.  The seasonal palettes Spring; Summer; Winter and Fall are collections of colors sharing an undertone grouped together to best complement a person’s skin tone, eye color and hair color.
6. Saturation.  This refers to the intensity of the color and purity of the hue.  A saturated color is bright and intense whereas a muted color, or tone, is dull and understated.

As the colorful, fun spring fashions make their way onto the shelves understanding these terms will help you decide which colors are better for you because they give you the ability to articulate the qualities.  It may sound and feel technical but once you know what you are looking for shopping becomes less frustrating and a lot more fun!

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About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com. 

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