Before I go any further with my Silhouette Project, it is time to share some of my discoveries. I am a Bottom-heavy Hourglass. Hot damn! So much for reading up on all those “How To Be a Pear” articles! It means my bust isn’t quite busty enough for a true hourglass but my bottom half has shrunk out of true pear territory. Another inch off my waist and a good padded bra and I would be inside the hourglass box! Based on my hair, eyes, and skin tones, my color palette is Deep Autumn best suited for warm & rich colors. How do I know? I found the Cardigan Empire thanks to Stephanie’s comment on my A-Line skirt! Look at Reachel’s cute button for the hourglass figure!
First: Go to her how to measure tutorial. While many may assume their body type based on the mirror, she provides a mathematical formula that clears up any doubts (or unreliable/problematic vision). I know personally I visually add about 15 lbs directly on my thighs when I look in the mirror. Old habits of seeing myself at 200 lbs die hard. This math really rocked my world. Then you can watch her videos for specific body types and/or run all over the web with your new found knowledge!
But don’t stop there. Look for the color analysis worksheet here. I found it very helpful and it is presented in an easy to understand format. Here is my color cheat sheet.
Looking at her color chart, I have to agree that the pastels suck on me, and her warm neutrals match exactly with what Cynthia G. told me in my jacket fitting class last summer. Remember she told me that black isn’t my best neutral so I brought home the camel wool for my jacket? I am not entirely sold on the light salmon and C. G.’s recommendation of clear red is missing, but other than that, this list matches Cynthia’s. Alas, I’m still wearing too much black and have a bit more in my stash. I really need to break that “universally flattering” mantra my grandmother taught me. My new mantras need to be “Warm and Rich colors only!” and “Accentuate that waist!”
The final awesome bit? She has a list of styles like Bohemian, Modern, and Romantic with definitions and examples to see if it matches your style comfort zone. Reachel also made a cheat sheet for how to create your own signature style by mixing and matching these styles (the extended blog post is a must read!).
Now that I have a body type, a color palette, and some new tips, I am ready to take another look at my wardrobe/stash and start my chic mommy transformation. I sent her an email requesting a blog interview specifically for seamstresses and style. If I can snag her expertise, what would you ask her? Post in comments and I will beg her to answer your questions as well as mine, then post all the juicy info! If I lived near her, I would drag her into my sewing room and have a long sit down over coffee and fabric!
Tereza Sews 
Oh, how cool! I am going to bookmark this link and have a look at the measurements to take and etc. I have tried before to figure out my colour palette from a book and I had items circled in almost every category!! Star and Moon won out though (which is supposed to be the equivalent of summer and winter).
Star and Moon? That sounds like a fun way of naming color palettes. I look forward to seeing what your answers are this time.
What a great find! I will make sure to come back and analyse myself. I often find these type of analysis hard to follow, just as Gjeometry I end up going in every direction.
I can’t think of any questions right now, but I will get back here if I do.
I had two as well, but what cinched the deal was skin-tone and high lights in my hair. My hair naturally bleaches in the sun to a brassy reddish gold during the summers. And I knew my skin tone before from a make-up vender who did a color analysis for me to get the “perfect” base match. Otherwise my hair and eye color could have been “Cool & Brilliant Deep Winter.” Looking at that chart, there is some color cross-over and I know I could get away with some of those colors. Maybe you could do your own color experiment? I see my entire Silhouette Project as one big Science/Fashion experiment but unlike science, there are going to be some subjective bits, but at least you can hear back from others for the “best friend” honest opinions before you make a final decision.
I love the links. I had my colours “done” as a teen, and it showed up as a true Autumn, which, apparently, is only about 2% of the population, since bright orange and gold are two of my best colours. This is so great – finding a “plan” for colours and style. I’m off to check your links….
So you are indeed a rare beauty! How awesome that you get bright orange!
Love this article! Really enjoyed reading it! And am looking forward to now going back n clicking on links to discover my style😃 Rather excited😜