How to Wear Gray for Fall 2008
Women's Fashion Tips on Wearing Gray for Your Complexion
To say “ I can’t wear gray, red, purple, yellow, and so on” is somewhat of a misnomer, as within a family of one color there are many shades. A woman who cannot wear lime green, for example, may well be able to wear a rich emerald, and if a primary red does not suit you, then a muted-red tone probably will.
In her book Wardrobe Secrets (Apple Press 2006) stylist Emily Neill states “color is so dynamic in terms of shade, hue, depth and texture that any absolute statement about color is never always true — for anyone.” She goes on to point out that to rule out any color range completely provides you with an unnecessary wardrobe limitation.
Certainly for some, gray may have negative connotations — the color of your school uniform perhaps, or you think it makes you look washed out.. However, gray is sophisticated and chic, and is creeping onto fall winter women’s fashion runways as a major neutral, not only for daytime, but as an elegant evening look.
How to the Find the Best Shade of Gray
Consider your hair, eye and skin color and try on a number of tones. From dark gray and charcoal to steel and dove gray, somewhere out there, there is a hue for you. According to UK TV's fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah, on their website feature "How to Wear Grey", “if you have deep blue eyes and black hair (of your hair is turning gray) then nearly any shade of gray is one of your best colors.” Conversely, says the pair, many shades of gray will do very little to flatter a redhead with hazel eyes and freckles.
How to Wear Gray
For your best look, what you wear with gray is all important. Many people ruin gray by wearing black accessories, making it dull and dowdy, but add a splash of bright color, like this season's pinks and purples, and see the difference. The second strongest color in your outfit should be tonal, not too contrasting. Victoria Beckham recently proved how chic and sophisticated gray can be when she was pictured in the Daily Mail arriving at London's Heathrow in a chic gray pencil skirt, brown sweater and tan accessories (including one of her collection of legendary Hermès Birkin bags). The Mail's comment board for this article was full of compliments from readers, on her chic look.
Whilst a great white shirt will make a gray outfit look sophisticated, it will need warm colors to make the look less stark. Try a steel blue, dark green, or turquiose to give it a lift, depending on your own skin and hair coloration.
How to Accessorize Gray
When it comes to accessories, contrasting colors look best. – Some fuchsia pink shoes or red high heels, or similarly shaded scarf or belt. During the day you can tone it down a little with chocolaty browns. According to Trinny and Susannah, suede shoes or boots will look better than leather.
Gray for Fall 2008
Women's fashion Fall 2008 collections are all about simple structured shapes in a palette of smoky grays, slate and steel. From dark gray wide-legged pants, to muted-gray medieval maxi dresses, to shimmery metallic silver accessories.
Experiment with Color
Above all, experiment with color and you will find a whole new palette that you’d never thought you’d wear. Rediscover a shade or hue by mixing and matching different-colored accessories and learn how to wear colors, such as red or purple, that you may have shied away from in your wardrobe.
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