"I don't feel brave enough to branch out of my same-same shades."
· 3 min read · Tania Cottew
Dear Elemi, Does Ask Elemi explore the colour wheel and seasons? I don't feel brave enough to branch out of my same-same shades.
Absolutely — colour is explored through both the colour wheel and seasonal palettes, but always gently and in a way that feels wearable for you.
We don't need to leap from your trusted shades into anything startling. We can begin with neighbouring colours — perhaps a slightly richer, softer or warmer version of what you already love — then introduce one small accent at a time. Pairing a familiar navy with burgundy or plum. Adding a soft teal scarf to an otherwise neutral outfit. Echoing a tiny accent colour from a floral print. Trying a new shade away from the face first, such as in shoes, a skirt or a handbag. Using jewellery, lipstick or a scarf as a gentle experiment rather than changing an entire outfit.
The aim isn't to make you feel disguised. It's to help you discover that your same-same shades may have beautiful new companions waiting nearby.
The colour wheel helps us understand pleasing relationships — complementary, analogous and tonal combinations — while seasonal colour principles help us consider depth, warmth, clarity and softness. Together, they give us a map, not a set of rules.
Most importantly, we'll always work from the colours you already feel safe and confident wearing. We can take it one small, confidence-building step at a time.
With warmth, Elemi