The 4 Most Flattering Clothing Colors

Sunday, December 09, 2007

There are four colors that look fabulous on every woman no matter her skin tone or hair color. They are eggplant, true red, Indian teal and mellow rose. That's the word from Leatrice Eiseman, author of "The Color Answer Book" and director of the Pantone Color Institute, who tells Real Simple magazine that these four colors fall into the middle of the color spectrum, meaning they are not too cool or too warm.

Eggplant
While there are dozens of shades of purple, this one is "the perfect purple," according to Eiseman. Like black, dark brown or navy, it's very versatile but more interesting than these colors and should be a wardrobe staple.

True Red
Dare to be a lady in red! Wearing this bold color makes everyone in the room look at you. New York City makeup artist Sonia Kashuk told Real Simple that it flatters everyone because it "resides in the center of the color spectrum, in between a cool, cherry red and a warm, orangey tomato red."

Indian Teal
This shade of teal is the exact opposite of pink. Remember, opposite colors look beautiful together. (Think red and green.) So when women wear teal, it enhances the healthy flush of the skin. Teal can be worn year round, making it more versatile than lighter, more summery shades of turquoise. It also pairs beautifully with black and brown.

Mellow Rose
More sophisticated than bubble-gum pink, mellow rose is that wonderful shade between light pink and peach. Kashuk says it's more of a neutral color than it is a pastel and highlights skin tone's natural flush so it almost appears to make you glow when you wear it. (P.S. It's a great lipstick color, too!)


Got questions about color? The Color Answer Book has answers. The wide-ranging book covers home, garden and fashion tips.

6 Things Every Woman Must Own

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Every woman, no matter who she is, where she lives, what she does or how old she is, needs certain essentials in life. Six of them to be precise, according to Melissa Kirsch, author of the new book " The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything ."

It's OK to splurge on these:

1. The little black dress
This is a must-have for every woman's closet. Pair it with a tailored jacket for work. Strip off that jacket and add a string of pearls or a diamond necklace and you're set for a night out on the town. Kirsch told The New York Post, "A little black dress is essential because it's a neutral dress, and because you can wear it so many ways no one can tell it's the same one."

2. The neutral-colored, two-inch heel
Did you know that the best color for shoes is one that matches your skin tone? Look for heels that are about two-inches high. Kirsch says neutral heels will not only make your outfits look better, but also make your legs appear longer.

3. The right bra
Every woman needs to wear a bra that will help her look her best and feel her best. "It's the easiest way to look like you've lost five pounds," Kirsch explained to the Post.

4. A colorful winter coat
When the temperatures drop, the wind howls and snow threatens, a colorful and warm winter coat is an essential. Kirsch warns against bulky or black coats. Any other color is fine. In winter, "your coat is your outfit," she says.

5. A practical bag
Every woman needs a purse. Kirsch's advice is to find one that holds a lot of stuff, is colorful and can transform any outfit. You don't need to spend a lot of money or get a designer bag. Just make sure it's nice and fun.

6. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is just as important as anything in your makeup kit. "It's part of your minimum cosmetic requirements," Kirsch told the Post. "Without sunscreen, you're going to end up looking like an old Gucci bag!"