Nifty 50 Fabulous

Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog for women over 50

Categories: Fashion

Choosing A Print- Think Level Of Contrast

Hello, Darlings! Part 2 in my series on prints, today’s topic is Choosing A Print- Think Level Of Contrast. Are you drawn towards certain prints and find that for some reason they don’t work on you? I have had this problem and have made many mistakes that end up being unworn clothing just taking up real estate in my closet.

Choosing A Print- Think Level Of Contrast

Choosing A Print- Think Level Of Contrast

First- Know Your Dominant Color Code

Some people know what colors look good on them. Many have even been color analyzed in a tonal or seasonal color system. I have learned that even though I have been seasonal analyzed as a Winter, not all the Winter colors work for me. So I have gone to a more Dominant Color Code, focusing on the one tonal color code that works best or is the strongest.

Using the Dominant Color Code System, you must look at hair, skin, and eyes. Hair is important because it is such a feature. Many women change their hair coloring, so your Dominant Color Code can change, especially if you go gray.

Chosing A Print- Think Level Of Contrast

Below is a list of the Dominant Color Codes and their level of contrast. Use this guide to help you in selecting a print that will work for your coloring.

Using Dominant Color Code To Chose Prints

  • Light Color Code– Light blonde hair with fair skin, usually light eyes. Can be brown hair with very fair skin. Pastels look amazing. Chose prints with medium to high contrast
  • Deep Color Code– Dark hair, medium skin tone, dark eyes. Jewel tones colors are their go-to. Low to medium contrast prints will work the best
  • Cool Color Code– Gray, silver, and “salt & pepper” ladies ROCK this color code. Look at this color code is you have been seasonal analyzed as a Summer. You look amazing in blues, pinks, and purples. Can wear medium to high contrast prints.
  • Warm Color Code– Red heads, strawberry blondes, and ladies with golden red highlights. Eye color and skin tones can vary. All the colors in the spice rack look amazing on her. Low to medium contrast in prints. If you have been seasonally analyzied as an Autumn, this may be your code
  • Soft Color Code-Medium color blondes or light to medium brown hair. Skin tone is light to medium, and eyes are the same. Very soft, gentle, and mellow colors will make you look amazing. Lots of colors to choose from, it is all about the intensity. Low contrast prints accentuate a Soft Color Code’s beauty.
  • Clear Color Code– Think “Snow White”! Dark hair with light color skin. African women with very dark hair and skin will also fall into the Clear Color Code because they need to contrast. High contrast prints look FABULOUS on these ladies.

Head To Toe Approach To Dressing

The idea is to mimic the amount of contrast between your hair, skin, and eyes down onto your clothing. If your color code has a higher contrast, you will want to choose a print that is high contrast. The reverse is true for someone who is a Soft Color Code, choose a print that is more muted or softer.

Dominant Light- Look For Medium To High Contrast Print

Choosing A Print-Right now it is easy to find tops in the Light Color Code. Beautiful pastel colors with white will go so well with white pants for a crisp, fresh look for sprint and summer
Right now it is easy to find tops in the Light Color Code. Beautiful pastel colors with white will go so well with white pants for a crisp, fresh look for sprint and summer
This fresh green top with white flowers is of higher contrast with medium size print.
This fresh green top with white flowers is of higher contrast with medium size print.

Dominant Deep- Look For Medium To Low Contrast Print

Choosing A Print-For the Deep Color Code, black background with prints in jewel-tone colors will be an easy find. This print is more Deep than Clear due to the amount of contrast. More colors, the less contrast.
For the Deep Color Code, black background with prints in jewel-tone colors will be an easy find. This print is more Deep than Clear due to the amount of contrast. More colors, the less contrast.
This top is a great example of bold jewel tone blues but with lower contrast. Deeps will love prints that have almost a watercolor or abstract feel.
This top is a great example of bold jewel tone blues but with lower contrast. Deeps will love prints that have almost a watercolor or abstract feel.

Dominant Cool – Choose A Print With Medium To High Contrast

Choosing A Print- Cools is all about the muted, slightly grey cooler colors but can still wear contrast. This striped shirt would look amazing on a Cool
Cools is all about the muted cooler colors but can still wear contrast. This striped shirt would look amazing on a Cool
Higher contrast print but in Cool colors that you can easily mix and match in your wardrobe
Higher contrast print but in Cool colors that you can easily mix and match in your wardrobe

Dominant Warm-Look For Prints That Are Low To Medium Contrast

Warmer colors for Springtime can be hard to find. But this top is a great example of the Warm Color Code. A more muted floral in an array of spice colors
Warmer colors for Springtime can be hard to find. But this top is a great example of the Warm Color Code. A more muted floral in an array of spice colors
A great example of a Warm Color Code print is this multi-pattern print in Warm colors.
A great example of a Warm Color Code print is this multi-pattern print in Warm colors.

Dominant Soft- Look For Prints That Are More Muted With Low Contrast

Choosing A Print-Soft is the "key" word when selecting prints for the Soft Color Code. Prints with background of tans and creams will work well for Softs
Soft is the “key” word when selecting prints for the Soft Color Code. Prints with the background of tans and creams will work well for Softs
Soft prints can have multiple colors in the Soft Color Code. More colors more muted the print, and the softer the feel.
Soft prints can have multiple colors in the Soft Color Code. More colors more muted the print, and the softer the feel.

Dominant Clear- You Need High Contrast Prints

When looking for prints for someone who is Dominant Clear, the easiest prints are those with a background of white, black, or navy.

Choosing A Print-Black and white prints are the easiest to find for Clears. The size of the print matters too because too small of print and it loses its high contrast feel. So Petite Dominant Clear Code women may struggle to find prints that work for their body s
Black and white prints are the easiest to find for Clears. The size of the print matters too because too small of print and it loses its high contrast feel. So Petite Dominant Clear Code women may struggle to find prints that work for their body size.
Choosing A Print-It is hard to find tops that are Clear due to the amount of contrast needed. New York And Company is a good website for Clears. Not all tops need to be white, black, or navy background either. To be Clear t
It is hard to find tops that are Clear due to the amount of contrast needed. New York And Company is a good website for Clears. Not all tops need to be white, black, or navy background either. To be Clear the background needs to be in the Clear Color Code plus high contrast.

Everyone Has An Animal Print

Everyone has an animal print, but not all animal prints look best on everyone. Your “best” animal print will be determined by your Dominant Color Code.

Animal Print For Light

Animal Print For Light-For LIght Color Code, look for an animal print with a lighter background.
For LIght Color Code, look for an animal print with a lighter background.

Cheetah Print For Deep

Animal Print For Deep-For Deep Color Code, the traditional cheetah print will look AMAZING on a Deep
For Deep Color Code, the traditional cheetah print will look AMAZING on a Deep

Animal Print For Cool

Animal Print For Cool-Gray background with a black animal works well for Cool Color Code. They also can wear black/white animal prints too.
Gray background with a black animal works well for Cool Color Code. They also can wear black/white animal prints too.

Animal Print For Warm

Animal Print For Warm-he biggest consideration for Warms is the background of the animal print. It needs to be in the warmer colors of browns and creams.
The biggest consideration for Warms is the background of the animal print. It needs to be in the warmer colors of browns and creams.

Animal Print For Soft

Animal Print For Soft-An animal print for Soft Color Code needs to have a lighter, softer background. Softs also look good in snake print with a cream background. Softs can also rock snake prints.
An animal print for Soft Color Code needs to have a lighter, softer background. Softs also look good in snake print with a cream background. Softs can also rock snake prints.

Zebra For Clear

Zebra Print or Black/White stripes are great print choices for Clear Color Code
Zebra Print or Black/White stripes are great print choices for Clear Color Code
Animal Print For Clear-Abstract animal prints with a black or white background will work well for Clear Color Code. You can choose a color background as long as it is in the Clear Color Code. Remember, with more colors, you lose your contrast.
Abstract animal prints with a black or white background will work well for Clear Color Code. You can choose a color background as long as it is in the Clear Color Code. Remember, with more colors, you lose your contrast.

Color Rules When Choosing Prints

A good “Rule Of Thumb” when choosing a print is that the majority of the colors need to be in your color code. The background color must be in your color code. The more colors in a print, the less contrast. Many prints can be worn for multiple color codes. Also, you may not have a “dominant” color code and can wear multiple. For example, if you were color analyzed as a Winter, you may be able to wear cool, clear, and deep colors.

Choosing A Print- This print does NOT work for me. The background is NOT in my Clear Color Code. It is too soft and does not have enough contrast. Also, the top does not fit well and needs to be altered. It was put in the sell pile and I sold it on Treds Up.
This print does NOT work for me. The background is NOT in my Clear Color Code. It is too soft and does not have enough contrast. Also, the top does not fit well and needs to be altered. It was put in the sell pile and I sold it on Treds Up.
Another top that did not work. First, the colors are NOT in my Winter Seasonal Palette or my Dominant Clear Color Code. I love Lilly Pulitzer prints but most do not work for me. This print was also muted due to the multiple colors and patterns.
Another top that did not work. First, the colors are NOT in my Winter Seasonal Palette or my Dominant Clear Color Code. I love Lilly Pulitzer prints but most do not work for me. This print was also muted due to the multiple colors and patterns.
I love a Kimono, but this one did not work for me. The reason is that the colors in my kimono are too muted and mostly dominate Cool. Plus the pattern is too large and does not work with my STAR STYLE. This kimono will look amazing on someone who is taller.
I love a Kimono, but this one did not work for me. The reason is that the colors in my kimono are too muted and mostly dominate Cool. Plus the pattern is too large and does not work with my STAR STYLE. This kimono will look amazing on someone who is taller.

This is where it is good to experiment, try on different pieces, take a selfie and analyze. Decide why or why not something is working for you. It may be personal preference or you may realize you do favor one color code over another. Make sure you put together the outfit in totality- including makeup and accessories. Seeing the “whole” pictures really help to understand better.

Don’t Forget Body Type Rules When Choosing Prints

This is when you want to look at necklines and other details such as sleeve length, buttons, and gatherings. Also style and length of the shirt. For example, someone who is a b Body Shape or Apple will want a top that is longer and covers their belly. While someone who is a d Body Shape or Pear wants to make sure the top stops before the widest part of their body, usually the hips.

Choosing A Print-Here is a great example of a top I can wear with all my Clear Color Code pieces and most Winter Seasonal Color Palette items. I chose not to alter, instead to use the "half tuck" to make sure this top hits above my widest part.
Here is a great example of a top I can wear with all my Clear Color Code pieces and most Winter Seasonal Color Palette items. I chose not to alter, instead to use the “half tuck” to make sure this top hits above my widest part.

It is important that the tops are NOT too small. Ladies, no one will know your size unless you tell them! Plus, manufacturers sizing is all over the place. So, get a top that fits properly or be prepared to alter. If it doesn’t fit and you will not alter- DO NOT BUY!!!!

Choosing A Print- Remember STAR STYLE

STAR STYLE is taking into account height and weight when looking at proportion. The three STAR STYLES are GLAMOUR GIRL, MOVIE STAR, and ROCK STAR. If you are NOT at your ideal weight you can move up in STAR STYLE. More about STAR STYLE check out my blog post DRESSING YOUR STAR STYLE

Lots To Think About

No wonder prints are so hard. So much to think about and so much to take into consideration. But if you get it right, your prints should be able to go with many of the items in your closet (because they are in your color code). So mixing and matching will be a breeze. Prints are powerful, they can make you look slimmer. Part 3 in my print series will be the Power Of Prints!

About Nifty 50 Fabulous

Hi, my name is Regan! Welcome to my blog. I am married with 3 adult children (no grands... yet!) and 2 schnauzers, Emma & Grace. Plus Nora, my grand dog who spends lots of time at Mimi's House. I love discovering my new "Mid-Life Style" and sharing it will all my readers. Join me on my journey to a healthy, active, and COLORFUL lifestyle. Sign Up for my email list to receive the latest blog post and extras, just for my Nifty 50 Fabulous Friends

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *