POV: Wearing the entire Winter palette

Let me start by saying: there are a variety of viewpoints on this. I am sharing my personal viewpoint, after living as a Winter for over two years, watching other people's color journeys, and learning about various color analysis methods. This doesn't make it right or wrong, just what makes sense to me based on the knowledge I've gathered. Additionally, this thought process applies more so to the HOC palette and analysis method.

Fact: the entire Winter palette harmonizes with itself

Fact: every single color in the Winter palette may not be your absolute best color

While I am a firm believer in creating a full wardrobe that includes the entire Winter palette, I always advocate to pay attention to your ratings.

House of Colour analysis appointments should include an individual rating of each drape, resulting in narrowing down to your subseason. Analysis appointments dating back to 2022 and prior included a percent (%) rating, and more recent appointments use a star-method. Both result in similar information, so whichever you have will apply.

If you've been following me for a while, you know I tend to be more of a purist and like leaning into the guidelines that come with a color analysis. If you are similar, keep reading! If you like to wear what you want, regardless of season or rating, this may not be as worthwhile for you (and that's ok!).

For me, color analysis is about building a wardrobe and makeup bag that helps me look and feel my best everyday. I don't want to have to think too much about it, I just want it to work and to feel good. Shopping, on the other hand, takes a lot more thinking (ha!) because I want to set myself up for things to be easy while I'm getting dressed. In the spirit of looking and feeling my best, I take my individual color ratings pretty seriously. Unless I just absolutely love an item and can't live without it, I'm not going to purchase something unless it fits within my color ratings and style personality.

So, how does this translate to 'wearing the whole palette"?

Well, wear it! ... intentionally.

If I rate low in a color (25% or 1-star), I either skip it altogether if I don't love it or it's hard to find, or I use it for things like accessories, small bits in patterns, nail polish color, a wallet, shoes, etc. I know that a low rated color is not my best choice for tops, jackets and dresses because they are near my face.

My middle rated (50% or 2-star) colors are my inspiration for bottoms and larger accessories. I especially like to zero in on the Winter colors I love, but aren't highly rated, so I can infuse them into my wardrobe as much as possible while still honoring my ratings. This is why I have at least four pairs of acid yellow bottoms! I have come to love acid yellow, but I only rate at 50%. The value is too light for someone who shines in the dark value Winter colors, which is why it is has a medium rating. So, I give myself plenty of room to wear it often as a bottom, which makes me happy and stays true to my ratings.

Obviously, highly rated colors can be worn anywhere and in large amounts (think full body). While there is more freedom in this, I do tend to try to keep these as tops, jackets and dresses. This gives plenty of room in my wardrobe for the lower rated colors, keeps my wardrobe full of variety, and leaves opportunity to create high contrast ensembles.

Based on my personal ratings, here is what "wearing the entire palette" might look like:

Wardrobe filled with all of the Winter colors? check.

Personal subseason/color ratings honored? check.