Men for all seasons

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 18

Men for all seasons

Colour for Meh. By Carole Jackson and Kalia Lutow. Little Hille Press, 1985. 183 pp. $34.95. (Reviewed by Barbara Petre) Ask a man what colours he likes wearing and you may receive a host of replies, some of them with embarrassment: “I leave it all to my wife, she plans my wardrobe, buys my clothes,” or “I buy what goes with the rest of my clothes,” or “whatever is in stock and fits me,” or “I don’t know Some will reply: “I wear what suits me.” How do we know for sure what suits us? Become your own wardrobe planner, says “Colours for Men.” The book presents a simple guide that can enable every man to dress in the colours that suit him best. Having read the earlier book “Colour Me Beautiful” (for women) by the same author two years ago, and applied the principles of colour coordination to family, friends and colleagues, I find “Colour for Men” simply a repeat of the same formula, with variations of the theme for the opposite sex. Colours suit a person if they complement the wearer’s natural skin tones, hair and eyes. The theory uses nature’s four seasons as the guideline for colours. The rest is common sense, dress sense, and an understanding of the principles of tone, contrast and colour combinations.

We are all able to wear most colours. The subtleties of tone or shade depend on the skin tones of yellow or blue. Summer and winter colours are blue toned. A “summer” person looks best in cool, but soft colours. A “winter” person, who also has blue skin tones, is able to wear clearer, more vivid colours and icy-toned pastels. Those who are “spring” in skin toning should choose the clear, delicate or bright colours with yellow tones. The autumn palette offers the wearer stronger colours, with orange and gold undertones. The book offers sections on selection of palettes; how to determine your “season;” understanding your colours; building a wardrobe to suit your lifestyle and body proportions; choice of suit for fit, cut, quality and size; choice of shirts and ties. The examples offered of “right” and “wrong” colours are not tricks of photography on glossy paper. The explanations given show how the theories of colours enhance the appearance of the wearer. Absorbing the theory of colour coordination makes one very conscious of the mistakes that others make. Watch television: some set designers and directors would do well to apply the theories to their casts and productions. “Colour for Men” is well produced and well illustrated, and the text is convincing and well-written.