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Hi Ladies,
Today’s post is all about stepping beyond traditional color boundaries to discover your "sister color season," also known as your Flow season. Exploring your sister season can open up an entirely new palette of colors that harmonize with your natural tones—offering a refreshing change to your wardrobe, makeup, and accessories without straying from what truly suits you. To illustrate this concept, I'll be using myself as an example, sharing insights and practical tips for integrating these complementary colors.
For those looking to dive deeper into this transformation, I highly recommend checking out my free mini-series on YouTube. In the series, we explore the Flow season concept, giving you the tools to find the sister palette that brings new vibrancy and versatility to your style. Whether you’re seeking to refresh your wardrobe or simply want to expand your color options with confidence, this approach will guide you in crafting a look that feels both authentic and revitalized.
If you are a Winter Woman of Style (Deep, Cool, or Clear), you probably already know that cool, vibrant colors look best on you, and that you have a set number of POWER, ANCHOR, and ACCENT colors to choose from. However, did you know that you also have a sister color season, also known as your Flow Color season, from which you can borrow an equal number of beautiful shades? For example, if you happen to be a Deep Winter Woman of Style, you can incorporate stunning colors from the Deep Autumn palette as well to further elevate your overall image and personal style. However, over the years I have become a bit bored with my dominant color palete of being a Deep Winter and the rigid adherence to cool colors; now that I have settled into the fabulous, striking colors from the Deep Winter color season I am challenging myself to explore the possibility of having more flexibility in my chosen color palette.
(Resource 1.)
Tonya's Dominant Signature Color Season: Deep Winter
Key Characteristics of the Deep Winter Color Season:
Deep Winter women are often characterized by a natural, high-contrast complexion, typically indicated by visibly cool undertones, such as blue or blue-pink. Women in this color season usually have cool, dark to medium hair color and often present with pale, olive, medium to dark brown, or beautiful ebony black skin. Their eyes typically range from deep brown, almost appearing black, to striking blues or cool greens. The Deep Winter palette includes rich, vibrant jewel tones like emerald green, royal blue, and deep burgundy (one of my favorite POWER colors), as well as icy, cool shades such as charcoal and black.
Why Deep Winters Can Wear Deep Autumn Colors
(Resource 2.)
If you haven't checked out my Deep Autumn mini color lesson, I invite you to do so for more visual context.
Deep Autumn is known for its rich, warm, earthy tones, the Deep Autumn palette is filled with gorgeous colors like deep olive, burnt orange, rich chocolate, and maroon. These colors reflect the warm, muted energy of the autumn season, making them perfect for women with warm undertones. So, you might be asking: if I am in a cool-dominant color season, such as a Deep Winter Woman of Style, why can a Deep Winter get away with wearing Deep Autumn colors?
Tonya's Flow Color Season: Deep Autumn Color Palette
Deep Winter and Deep Autumn Blended
So, here's the thing: Despite being on the cooler end of the spectrum, Deep Winters can successfully wear Deep Autumn colors. Why? The reason lies in the shared depth and richness of both palettes! While Deep Winter women have cooler undertones, they share the same intensity and depth as those in the Deep Autumn season. This shared intensity allows Deep Winter women to effortlessly wear Deep Autumn hues without clashing with their natural coloring.
Discover how to confidently wear colors that elevate your natural beauty. This beginner-friendly guide is your essential starting point to mastering the bold, sophisticated hues of the Winter palette — think sapphire blue, deep ruby red, and crisp white.
If you're ready to transform your personal style and build a wardrobe that truly reflects your best self, this guide is the perfect first step.
Deep Winter vs Deep Autumn
Both the Deep Winter + Deep Autumn Appear Deep
How to Incorporate Deep Autumn Colors into a Deep Winter Wardrobe: Strategic Color Pairing
(Styling Tip 1:) If you choose to experiment with your sister color season, please remember that when when, for example, incorporating Deep Autumn colors, it’s essential for Deep Winter Women of Style to strategically pair them with their cooler tones. For example, a Deep Autumn olive green sweater can be beautifully contrasted with a Deep Winter charcoal brown or black jacket with a neutral lip color. This strategic pairing maintains the overall coolness while adding warmth and richness to the outfit, which in turn give your complexion a subtle warmth.
(Styling Tip 2:) Strategically Mixing and Matching Textures. Another harmonious way to effortlessly blend Deep Autumn colors into an existing Deep Winter wardrobe is through the use of textures. Mixing rich, autumnal fabrics like wool, cashmere or suede with cooler, winter fabrics like silk or velvet creates an elegant and stunning, visually appealing look.
(Styling Tip 3:) Unique Statement Pieces in Deep Autumn Colors. Deep Winter Women of Style can start by experimenting with Deep Autumn colors by introducing statement pieces to complete their look. A burgundy, silk scarf, a deep olive handbag, or a burnt pumpkin cocktail ring can add a hint of warmth without overwhelming the cooler tones in their outfit.
Step into the warmth and richness of the Autumn color season with this beginner-friendly guide, crafted to help you build a wardrobe that flatters your golden undertones and earthy beauty. Discover how to effortlessly style colors like mustard yellow, terra cotta, and chocolate brown for a look that radiates confidence and authenticity.
Ready to transform your personal style? This guide is the perfect starting point.
Deep Winter and Deep Autumn: Wardrobe Examples
Please watch my Flow Color Season Mini Playlist
While seasonal color analysis has many benefits, it can also be limiting. Fashion shouldn't be about strictly following rules but rather about expressing your individuality. If you're bored of wearing the same colors, I encourage you to explore shades outside your designated season. Whether you're a Winter, Summer, Autumn, or Spring, you can discover new aspects of your personal style by pushing beyond your color boundaries.
The outdated idea from the 1980's Color Me Beautiful boom, that you must strictly adhere to one color season is a myth. If you are a Deep Winter Woman of Style you can effortlessly embrace Deep Autumn colors, and vice versa, thanks to the shared depth and richness of both stunning palettes. By strategically pairing colors, mixing textures, and incorporating unique statement pieces, Deep Winters Women of Style can expand their wardrobe with warm, earthy tones while still maintaining their cool, high-contrast look.
Fashion, to me, is about self-expression and exploring new, dynamic color combinations as part of your style evolution journey. So, if you’re a Deep Winter Woman of Style or belong to another beautiful color season, don’t be afraid to step outside the lines and experiment with your flow/sister color season and palette—you may discover that they enhance your personal style in ways you never imagined.
Until next time! Image Consultant & Personal Stylist, Tonya J. xoxo
Are you an ambitious woman navigating pivotal transitions in your business or personal life? If so, I invite you to apply for an exclusive, complimentary 30-minute Lifestyle Clarity session with Tonya.
In this session, you’ll explore your evolving style and brand, receive personalized insights on your next steps, and discover how you can continue to elevate your journey as one of Tonya’s exclusive clients through her signature, elite RWS programs.
Enroll Today for the Official Color Branding Imprint and Color Analysis—exclusively for Women in Leadership.
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