In early April, the Best Picks editors had their “colours” analysed at Aegi.Lab in Sydney, were sorted into distinct seasonal groups and left with the feeling that they weren’t really wearing tones that complimented their true selves.
Where Matilda often dabbled in pastel pinks — an absolute no-go for those in the warm autumn category — Sophie’s penchant for red and olive green had to be stamped out when she was told “cool summer” was her preferred look.
If you want to read more about that process and how exactly their colours were deciphered, head to this story.
Supermarkets, shopping and deals: Sign up for newsletters
After the session, armed with ample information about what their skin, hair and eyes matched on the colour wheel, Sophie and Matilda decided to completely transform their looks — for the sake of science.
For a month straight, they wore only their ‘true colours’.
So aside from having to plan out their outfits before work a little more rigorously, what else did they learn from the experience? Read on to find out.
Matilda’s colour analysis challenge
When first hearing I was a “warm, deep autumn” I can’t say I was particularly surprised.
Even though after dying my hair blonde I’ve often dabbled in wearing pastel shades, I always knew in my heart of hearts that navy, khaki, plum and rust colours matched my dark brunette locks, brown eyes and incredibly black eyebrows.
But I did have some “divergents” that were uncovered during the session that showed how some pastel shades worked well against my skin tone — five to be exact.
So all hope wasn’t lost that I was going to have to revamp my entire closet.
Instead, I decided to make some calculated changes and focused on amplifying my autumnal palette to new heights, which actually wasn’t too difficult given we are in autumn now.
One of the best colours for my skin tone, as I learned during the session, is red, so you bet I pulled out all the berry bits I owned and loved throughout the month.
There are so many shades that fit within it but the brighter the better for me.
The Goa Block Printed Liberty Mini from Kinga Csilla ($270) was a standout for me because it’s actually sizeless, so you can wear it loose or draped in with a belt to highlight your waist.
I paired this floaty dress with a pair of knee high boots, the Ramona option from Hugh Puppies in the shade Cappuccino ($349.95).
Whatever you’ve heard about the comfort of a Hush Puppies boot is true, I could comfortably walk around the office in these shoes all day and from the bus to my house with ease.
From the same Kinga Csilla brand I coordinated the Palms Baja Shirt ($250) with the Palms Cassie Flare ($270) and paired the brown, floral look with a pair of white sneakers.
I’m actually meant to choose ivory shades over pure white but the further away the colour is from your face, the better.
To complete the look, and tie in some red, I wrapped the Super Soft Turtle Neck Jumper in Karanda Marle ($40) from Target around my neck.
For $40 this thick sweater is an absolute steal and, as the weather continues to cool off, I’ll be wearing it more as a jumper than a drape. And it’s from Target? Win win.
For a fiery flash of neon red, you can’t go past the brand First Colours, which was new to me before I opted into this challenge.
I paired the Soulmate Tie Shirt in Strawberry Red ($120) with the matching Iris Pants ($134) and a sweet little Chou Chou Intimates Audrey Bralette underneath (a perfect match colour-wise) to complete the look.
I wouldn’t necessarily say the open shirt is work appropriate but you could certainly wear this number for a Saturday night out with ease.
On my feet were (again) Hush Puppies’ Mary Jane shoe called “Karma” ($169.95) which became my most worn slip-on for the month.
If you are looking for something super corporate in the same berry shades, may I suggest Furlong and Gale in all its glory?
The Aussie label producers trousers, pencil skirts and blazers in a number of shades but pomegranate takes the cake for me.
You can wear flats with the look — as I did in my Hush Puppies — or take things up a notch with a heel.
Other corporate head-turners?
I paired my Long Sleeve Oversized Shirt in Blue Stripe from Target ($35) with my Isle Wool Cable Knit Vest from The ICONIC ($160) and Holiday Drawstring Pant from Ripcurl ($99.99).
And we can’t forget my favourite bag of the month from Myer: The Dukes Place Emboss Medium Zip-Top Grab Bag from Radley London ($499.95).
This bag fits all of my essentials and then some, and, as nervous as I was to be carrying a white purse, it doesn’t have a single mark on it.
On days where I just wanted to run out of the house, the Merino Stripe Button Knit ($199.99) from Sportscraft and my long-time Neuw Denim skirt were perfect with Alias Mae Pierre ballet flats ($239.95).
Also from Sportscraft, the Merino Wool Cable Cardigan in the colour Wine ($249.99) and Joyce Merino Wool Cardigan ($299.99) acted like the perfect cover-ups in my colour palette.
I have been pleasantly surprised this month by just how much I’ve been enjoying a few key pieces from Myer.
They included the Basque Satin Midi Shirt Dress ($149.95) — paired with my failsafe Shelly Shen Mary Heels from Shoe Connection ($199.95) — and the navy woollen pieces from Tokito — also worn with Shoe Connection’s Jeffrey Campbell Honolulu heels ($319.95).
Tokito’s Pleated Midi Dress in Navy ($139.95) was actually a piece I donned multiple times this month, particularly in the office where I wanted to be warm but on-trend all at once.
On most days I wore it, the dress was paired with Basque’s Tiffany Heel in Black ($169.95).
While there are plenty of reasons to shop at boutiques, I wouldn’t discount the hidden gems you can find in Myer across a broad range of brands.
In the same olive tone as the Basque Satin dress, the Third Form Satin Bias Maxi Tee Dress ($310) was easily the kind of showstopper I’m eyeing off to wear to a wedding.
It’s so form-fitting but in all the right places and hits the mark when it comes to formal dressing.
Third Form also crafted the Overflow Drape Blouse ($230) I loved to wear with high-waisted trousers or Tie Up Tailored Mini Skirt ($240).
Now, not everyday can be a fashion parade in the office (or outside of it).
On days I really needed to piece together something that was colour coordinated but casual in nature, the first twin set I would reach for was from Nimble Activewear.
The Me Time Pant II in Sage Green ($149) and matching Me Time Pullover ($149) is so unbelievably soft and breathable you’ll want to wear them both to bed (but refrain. Pop a pair of UGG boots on and seize the day in them instead).
One of my other favourite discoveries for the month was Ripcurl’s Stevie Cord Overalls ($149.99), which I paired with a Cotton Rib Layer T-Shirt from Target ($8) in a delicious chocolate brown and Ripcurl’s Surf Spray Crew in Washed Black ($69.99).
On the denim front, the American Eagle Cargo Jeans ($139.95) are a must-have. I love wearing them with my ECCO Sculpted LX 55 Boots ($349.95).
On the other side of the spectrum, if you’re really looking to make a lasting impression, there were quite a few pieces from Rebecca Vallance that caught my eye within my new colour palette.
The Augustine Mini Dress ($999) is unbelievably comfortable for a gown made with an abundance of crystals around its collar, and paired with stockings it’s the perfect going out attire in winter.
As we all know, living in Sydney this month has meant rain, rain and more rain.
So on the wetter days I’ve been relying on my Bobbi Boot from Merry People in Chocolate and Black ($159.95), matched perfectly with LMND’s Chiara Shirt Classic ($189) and Cherry Bralette ($159).
Sophie’s colour analysis experience
“You see? It really is your colour!”
I’m sitting in a light-filled room in central Sydney being told by a woman I met half an hour ago that lavender, that purple-y colour more associated with your grandmother, is “my shade”.
And you know what? Bizarrely, I agree with her.
It freshens up my complexion, makes my blue eyes sparkle and my blonde hair pop.
I am in the middle of “having my colour analysis done” at Aegi.Lab in Sydney, and the woman I am speaking to has declared me to be a “cool light summer” in palette.
With cool undertones to my skin, blue eyes, a pale complexion and blonde hair, I suit pastel variations of many colours, silver and silver jewellery and white.
Dark colours including black (sob) drown me and make me look even more pale, tired and swamped.
But colours like baby pink, sky blue lavender, white and pale yellow really lift my face — making me look bright, youthful and like my best self.
There are a few “deviants” where I can wear brighter shades as well as more pastel options — including pink, green and blue.
But for most of the time, the woman at Aegi.Lab recommended I opt for lighter colours and charcoal grey over black if I want something darker.
Armed with my palette, I went home and perused my wardrobe.
The challenge? To dress almost entirely in my colour palette for a month and see if it really made a difference or anyone even noticed.
So what did I reach for?
First up, it was time to dip a toe in to the lavender purple idea.
On day one, I headed out in head-to-toe Target (all my palette), opting for the Mock Neck Knit Top (currently $28) in lavender (naturally), the Wide Leg Pants in cool green ($50) and the Longline Wrap Coat (currently $64) in a suits-everyone camel colour.
I topped the look off with a cream pair of Hush Puppies boots (currently $187.46) and sashayed into work feeling more tonal than I had in recent weeks.
It wasn’t long before people were complimenting the look, particularly the purple — and so I thought let’s lean in even more.
Day two, I turned to Furlong & Gale and the brand’s A-Line Skirt in Wisteria ($375), paired with the Wisteria Classic Blazer ($775) and my trusty Hush Puppies boots for a sunny day of meetings.
While I felt somewhat conspicuous dressed in all purple, I can’t deny that I felt slick and put together.
So slick and put together that I went a step even further the following week, opting for the Self Portrait Blazer in Lavender ($269) and Storm Pants ($199) by First Colours.
I completed my 70s vibe outfit with a $695 pair of Chloe sunglasses and truly felt a million dollars.
Lavender purple really is one of my colours and I will now be on the lookout for anything at the shops that ticks this box.
Next up, I wanted to try out whites, creams and silvers.
While I do wear a lot of white and a little bit of cream, I can safely say I’ve never considered silver (bar at the recent Taylor Swift Eras tour).
So it was going to be interesting to see if these colours did anything for my pale English complexion.
On a day when the weather felt a little cooler but not so cold you needed to wear tights, I opted for Ripcurl’s stunning Anti-Series Shorebreak Vest ($169.99) — a wear-everywhere gilet I haven’t taken off since.
I love that you can dress the gilet both up with a skirt and boots or down with leggings after a Pilates class at the weekend.
I’ve also been getting repeated compliments about Myer’s Basque Knee-High Boots, which are currently reduced down to just $99.
Less clunky than black knee-high boots, these boots look infinitely more expensive than their price tag — and they are surprisingly comfortable considering they have a 7cm heel.
Paired with an old Zara skirt and top, this was a look I adored wearing and felt right at home in.
When it comes to silver, I typically have a bit of a hate/hate relationship.
Being a gold jewellery girl, I eschew silver in everything — whether clothes, makeup or accessories.
But I was pleasantly surprised when I put on Third Form’s Crush Bias Halter Top in Silver ($180), along with the Split Maxi Skirt ($220) and Double-Breasted Coat ($460), all available at The Iconic.
The quality of these pieces is beautiful, especially when paired with a fun pair of cream Gucci sunnies ($700) — and this outfit was perfect for a “Back to the Future” event I had on that evening. Win win.
Finally, in this colour wheel, I opted for the Mira Kimono ($295) by Kinga Csilla, which I wore repeatedly on holiday.
Wearing a bit more cream during this challenge has really taught me that I don’t just have to turn to white when I want to look crisp and summery. I’ll definitely be wearing more in the future.
And so to blue.
Blue has long been a go-to in my wardrobe, serving me whether during the week or over the weekend.
One of my favourite looks from this challenge incorporated LMND’s Chiara Shirt in Ink Blue ($159), paired with the brand’s $79 Bralette in Birch, a trusty black H&M skirt and old favourite Stuart Weitzman boots.
Yes, I know I’m wearing black, and yes I know I’m not supposed to suit it — but you didn’t expect me to get through an entire month, did you?
Plus, I’m subscribing to the idea that the further it is from your face the less likely it is to drown you out.
I also enjoyed wearing Rebecca Vallance’s off-the-shoulder Juliana Midi ($749) in blue for a dressy event in the city after work, as well as Once Was’ Mock Suede Skirt in Zenith ($269.95), which I paired with the cosiest knit from Sportcraft — the Sunshine Chunky Sweater ($187.49) and my Myer boots.
Lastly, it was back to Kinga Csilla and the brand’s Tide Wide Pants ($290) for another day in the office.
While I adore the brand’s matching Tide Noma Shirt ($330), the full look was a little too casual for the office. Next time.
Yellow is a colour I love, but don’t wear much.
So it was a pleasure to dig some out during this challenge, namely in the form of Ripcurl’s Wander Knit Sweater in Lemon Ice ($79.99), which I wore with past-season Zara trousers, a silk scarf and Shoe Connection’s supremely comfortable Major Loafers in Bone Leather ($157.45).
I also didn’t get the chance to wear too much pink, even though it is very much within my wheelhouse.
On the day I did opt for some pink, I plumped for Myer’s pink striped jumper by Grab Denim ($59.96), which I wore with Tokito’s Belle Heeled Shoes in Winter White ($62.97), also available from Myer and an old denim skirt from Dissh.
I loved wearing my Merry People Bobbi Boots into the office in Dusty Pink ($159.95), and they’ve been getting a decent workout ever since due to all the rain in Sydney.
All in all, I’ve loved dressing in my colour palette this month and will certainly bear it in mind when it comes to shopping in the future.
That being said, I’m not ditching black. Or gold jewellery. No way.