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Citrus  Shades

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Orange, lemon and lime shades are a summer feature on the High Street and they are perfect for zesting up your wardrobe this season.

You will find varying shades in-between such as Primrose, Daffodil, Light Gold, Tangerine, Pumpkin, Bittersweet, Orange Red and Coral.

How to wear these successfully requires a little know-how and even a little va-va-va voom personality!

How can YOU wear these shades?

Before figuring out if yellows and oranges are great shades on you, you need to look at the fabric of the garment. Yellows and oranges on wool, cotton or linen, for example, will look flatter and matt.

There are various ways to wear your citrus shades this season, Louis Vuitton mixed it with white this season to great success. To help you work some summery citrus shades into your wardrobe, we have created three options for each dominant palette: citrus with a neutral, citrus as 'through colour' (the same colour in different shades top-top-toe) and two bold citrus colours together.

Citrus combinations for LIGHTS

If you are Light (light blond hair, pale transparent skin, pale eyes: think Gwyneth Paltrow) you are best to keep your yellows as pale as possible: ivory with a hint of yellow or a light primrose will be best. Wearing two light colours together is the prerogative of the Lights.

Citrus combinations for LIGHTS below: with a neutral, as 'through colour' and two bold shades.

are Light (light blond hair, pale transparent skin, pale eyes: think Gwyneth Paltrow) you are best to keep your yellows as pale as possible: ivory with a hint of yellow or a light primrose will be best. Wearing two light colours together is the prerogative of the Lights.

Citrus combinations for LIGHTS below: with a neutral, as 'through colour' and two bold shades.

Citrus combinations for DEEPS

If you are a Deep with dark hair and dark eyes (a la Michelle Obama, Victoria Beckham) wear Lemon yellow and Tangerine in contrast with your black or chocolate brown for a great look or on its own for greater impact.

Citrus combinations for DEEPS below; with a neutral, as 'through colour', two bold shades.

Citrus combinations for WARMS

If you are Warm (your hair will be any shade from strawberry blonde to auburn like, for example, Tilda Swinton or Tara Banks) you are born to wear yellows, oranges and limes. Whether you have freckles or not, don't be shy: embrace these colours and make them your own.

Citrus combinations for WARMS below; with a neutral, as 'through colour' and two bold shades.

Alternative to citrus shades for COOLS

If you are Cool (like Dames Judy Dench and Helen Mirren) steer clear of yellow and orange all over. If you simply love these colours, you are best to inject them into a print mixed with your best colours (blues and pinks), or in an accessory away from your face.

Blues and pinks are to the Cool colourings what limes and yellows are to the warm colourings. So, here we've put together some alternative combinations for all you Cool colourings to brighten up your wardrobe this summer.

Here are some great summer shades for COOLS below: with a neutral, as 'through colour', two bold shades.

Citrus combinations for CLEAR colourings

If you have dark hair, and bright eyes (think The Duchess of Cambridge, or Ophrah Winfrey) you would be a Clear. A bright yellow or bright orange on a shiny fabric (silk, taffeta) will emphasise your bright eyes and show clarity in your look. Wear it in contrast with any neutral shades, or indeed another shade to recreate that brightness exuded by your look.

Citrus combinations for CLEARS below: with a neutral, as 'through colour', two bold shades.

Citrus combinations for SOFT colourings

If you don't easily fit into the above categories, you are likely to be a Soft (you probably highlight your hair; there isn't much definition between your hair, eye and skin tone: think Beyonce and Jennifer Aniston). You need to keep you citrus shades light. Soft & Warm colourings can also wear light peach/peach shades and Soft & Cools can opt for their pinks and purples instead.

Citrus combinations for SOFTS below: with a neutral, as 'through colour', two bold shades.

 

If citrus shades are not for you...

If yellows, limes and oranges are not you (ie. do not appear in your best colour palette) or you are shy of wearing brighter colours, don't fret. A printed scarf with a little of the no-no colours on it, will look fab tied around the handle of your bag. Ditto on a printed shoe. You could also think about adding a friendship bracelet in these colours to show that you know what is current.

Personality also comes into play when wearing brighter colours. If you don't want to stand out like a NYC cab - don't wear your citrus shades head to toe! You're better off wearing them as a print.