Has grey hair changed the colours I wear?
Photos: Claire Pepper
I have never considered myself to be a ‘pink person.’ Never. And I don’t do Day-Glo. When it comes to wearing colour, the chic not shouty (Northern Miserablist) approach always works for me. And yet, and yet…. embracing my natural hair colour and growing in the grey has had an unexpected effect. Non-boring neutrals and new shades have steathily made their way into my wardrobe. How did that happen?
When investigating what makes a winning colour combination for my last book, I spoke to knitwear designer Jo Gordon. Juxtaposing bolds and neutrals is a Jo Gordon thing, ‘I like colours that look surprising together but sit nicely, like green and pink,’ she told me,’ I am constantly playing around and putting colours together until something clicks.’ The element of surprise (and to be honest, I’m surprised I’m wearing pink), does seem to work when it comes to colour-matching. I wasn’t sure how I was going to wear this Arket pink poplin shirt but I liked the colour and I like wearing shirts; so I knew I’d figure out a way of working it into my wardrobe. And as Jo said, ‘Bright colours look best when they’re in the midst of interesting neutrals.’ Et voila. Pink and khaki, the perfect combination.
Khaki and pink: the perfect combination.
Of course, bold colour can be worn beautifully. Prue Leith does it brilliantly, mismatching her show-stopping specs with primary-hued clothes and eye-catching jewellery. Caroline Issa is the queen of technicolour trouser suits. And Lyn Slater has quite elegantly moved from monochrome to multicolour. Grey hair acts as a neutral backdrop, creating a dramatic contrast, so why not use the opportunity to experiment with a host of new colours? An artful combination such as: pink and burgundy, mustard and teal, emerald green and navy, can pep up a pasty winter complexion. One thing I have found is that when my hair is tied back and the whiter strands around my face exposed, I can’t wear white or pale silver-y shades (and when the sun catches the lighter hair, I end up with the ‘grey-lo’ effect). Yet, strangely I can wear black again. Though I do have to usher in the blusher. And introducing a silk scarf is always a good idea.
This is not a major reboot. As someone who is more Colour Averse than Colour Adventurous, I’m not going to start dressing like Ronald McDonald. A new shade has to fit in with my regular palette of blues, greens and khaki, be easy to co-ordinate and easy to wear. I have to feel comfortable in it. Colour consideration plus considerate consumption means I will be adding the occasional new colour to my old clothes. I’m happiest when I’m within my Colour Comfort Zone. I don’t want to stand out from the crowd but I do like to experiment and I want to wear colour in a way that sits with my gentlewomanly style. Whooping up a wardrobe favourite, like the pink Super Shirt, allowing space between colours or adding colour around the periphery so that it’s not taking over, is the way to go.
Colour around the periphery
‘There are no rules,’ continues Jo Gordon, ‘Spend time looking and seeing, do it slowly. Pick your colours carefully. Understand what you look good in – and that can be different colours at different times of the year. One tried and trusted technique is to hold a garment up to your face to see if it warms you up or drains the life out of you.’ Keep tinkering around, experimenting, looking around for interesting combinations, these can appear everywhere from the layers of old paint on a wall, to art galleries and other less-colour-shy women on the street. Today, a mustard yellow coat over royal blue dress with a pale blue scarf caught my eye.
Mix it up. You might find a wonderful combination.
Please note affiliate links in this post may generate a commission. The silk scarf in the first photo was borrowed from Laslett England, interview with the designer coming soon.
Discussion (32 Comments)
Lesley says:
I have a jacket the colour of Alyson’s jumpsuit and it looks great with pink, plum or red worn close to my face.
I’ve always worn pinks and plums and reds and navies (I’m a “summer”, if anyone remembers getting their colours done back in the 80s) and those colours still mostly work for me now that I’ve grown my grey out. I do find I really need lipstick now, after decades of owning one and mostly not wearing it. It’s like my hair and skin now read as the same tonally, if that makes any sense.
Joan Jackson says:
Hi Lesley. I had my colors ‘done’ in the 80s and my color fan still has its place of honor in my scarf drawer. I make much better choices for my wardrobe when I use it. I especially need to stay in the cooler range, and the fan is my guide. I agree that l like my lipstick! And a strong anchor neutral like navy helps.
Boadicea says:
That khaki and pink: a great combination! You look gooood!
I’ve just got new specs – sorta kinda purple with a touch of tortiseshell (more restrained than it sounds) and I’ve suddenly found that my/your inner Colour Comfort Zone has surprisingly widened. I think it’s because the new glasses lifted my face (oh how I wish!) and it finally dawned that while a nice greige does have its benefits, there’s a proper lift to be had when wearing bright(er) colours. Elegant? Moi? Maybe, when scrubbed up, but now everyday days are also that bit sharper. At 79 and a half, I’ve decided not to blend in with the wallpaper any more!
Thanks, Alyson. Cheers!Roberta says:
Yes, yes, yes! Last January I asked my salon stylist to give me a feminine buzz cut. I was bored/exhausted/poorer getting my hair colored every 4-5 wks depending on time of year. I now have beautiful salt and pepper hair and like you have been slowly adding lavender, blue and violet to my wardrobe. What fun. Also I’ve retired and changing to much more casual attire. What fun.
MaureenC says:
That pink shirt lifts your trusty Khaki malarkey into something else!
Reading this I had an flashback to a university lecture a hundred years ago on late renaissance painting (Titian and the like) which focused on the use of colour combinations in particular rose and that green.Robyn says:
The pink shirt is beautiful. As one who rarely wears patterns, here recently I’ve been drawn to very delicate florals. Haven’t bought a piece-yet.
Angie says:
I recommend taking a look at Liberty prints., Robyn. The originals have a ‘natural dye’ tone to them so are not as viscous as some modern day colours. Their tana lawn fabric is beautifully soft (and flattering!), feels like wearing silk. I still have a couple of very ancient shirts in Liberty print and they look even better now that my hair and skin colours are gently softening (I won’t say ‘fading!)
Cheryl says:
I think with the transitioning to silver shades comes an awakening and a rediscovery of one’s self. It’s almost a jolt that challenges one to accept and present the new you. With regards to myself, I’m trying to embrace the change and work out a variety of palettes that compliment both hair and skin tones. Balancing how one feels at this stage of life, and how society perceives you is something else to come to terms with too. By the way, you suit the pink and wear it well.
I share your love of neutrals and preferring to stand out for a good sense of style rather than a bright colour. But I think that wearing the shades can bring a quiet confidence that neutrals alone can’t achieve. I offer a cost-effective online Colour iD service – let me know if you’d like to use it.
Barbara Thompson says:
I was a children’s librarian before retirement and wore a pretty colorful wardrobe, so I wanted to tone it down when I retired. I have also let my hair go white. You look fabulous in the pink and khaki and you are inspiring me to give it a try.
Saba says:
Color! Check out the Issey Miyake collection shown this week for glorious, non-loud color.
I saw this online – the dresses descending onto the catwalk models – looked fantastic!
c.w. says:
My hair is mostly white. Although my hair looks spectacular next to black, black can also wash out my older complexion so my wardrobe has been gravitating to less harsh colors such as navy and grey. Adding a pink or paler blue scarf (not “baby blue,” but more “ocean blue”), turtleneck, shirt underneath a navy or grey sweater seems to bring more color into my face. In short…love your pink shirt!
Jeanne Edwards says:
Looking good ! I too am wearing brighter colours like pink/ aquamarine/cherry red etc. I used to love black/brown /olive /grey but now find these very aging and don’t look good against my olive skin. Silver and cream look good though. Animal prints are ok because of the mix of colours . Bought a light weight (silky kind of fabric) tailored jacket from Monsoon sale , which is mix of dark brown and olive. Team it with beige/cream stripe top and black tapered trousers.
Jeanne
Suon Ford says:
I recently found myself wearing (and loving) mustard brown of all colors! This is a very recent development. I found that pairing it with a bold blue works really well. All my life I have avoided any brown and have always liked navy, black and grey. It’s refreshing really to discover something different that not only works for me but reinvigorates my look.
slf
Mrs Tonia says:
I join those in commending you looking pretty in pink. It is a very flattering shade for you and enhances the complexion. I’m a blusher person and that works wonders of a morning when one looks tired and wan. Best ones to try : the pink Clinique crayon one. Which I sometimes mix with the peach one, rhubarb. That creates the perfect tone and is dead easy to apply. The crayon Roomiest Rose is the best colour in this range which I sometimes mix with a more neutral tone to create a first thing in the morning look. The other one I like is the Laura Mercier pinky cream one. Again a good colour and texture. More flattering than the powdery ones I find.
New colour mixes are a good way to spruce up ones wardrobe this season. Apart from those you mention I’m keen on mustard/chartreuse greeny tones with olive. Something I’ve worn since last spring. A sunflower yellow also brightens the complexion and is still around. I’m also going to try orange and burnt orange with cobalt and navy blue. Something I saw combined in a stylish shop window on my travels. And rust colours with orange and mustards. And more Browns, in general, camel or caramel with toffee tones. Red also looks pretty good with neutral brown colours. And leopard print mixed in. I’m also keen to return to black and white mixtures with a bit of zebra print thrown in. I’ve created mood boards from the new season fashion magazines I’ve bought. Now I’m sourcing the garments in the colourways mentioned above from my existing wardrobe.
I use Alyson’s method as described in her second book. Laying it all out and discovering interesting juxtapositions. And then trying it all on to see what looks right and fits well. With a large collection of scarves both silk and wool I’m enjoying adding these into the mix to create an outfit greater than the sum of its parts. A bit of print here and there and the warm feeling of the fabric around the neck really enhances the clothes I find.Maureen says:
You look beautiful in pink and I so love your hair colour. The timing of your post is spot on as I look down at my bright pink shirt paired with my khaki trousers. Until this year (I’m now 58) I would never have considered wearing pink but with my greying hair and changing complexion, it seems to compliment rather than not. I’m loving your blog Alyson.
Sharon says:
Having grown up with brown hair and eyes, I used to wear only the “jewel colors.” Now that my hair is greying and my eyes are lightening, I like browns, rusts, mustard, and green. Fun to change!
I think changing the colors one wears is the KEY to going gray with grace, style, and good humor.
Ingrid says:
I read somewhere recently that when your hair colour fades you can wear stronger colours. The examples given looked fabulous. I suppse this depends on the individual.
As I’ve just had a bad reaction to hair dye after using it for 10 years (although seriously considering stopping this practice for a few months now) I might be testing the theory myself soon!Margaret Pabon says:
I enjoyed reading this article. Green and pink—I could never imagine—yet they look fantastic together. Thank you. Also, I’ve enjoyed all the comments. Magenta is another fabulous color for salt and pepper hair!
DT says:
One of the joys of embracing the grey, alongside the natural change of my skin tone, has been the discovery of red lipstick – grey hair looks fab with lips (red, pink, orange, whatever lights your fire) and is another example of how to bring the colour in. It has now become a bit of a trademark for me and I love that people notice me for it and notice if I don’t have my lips on.
I agree, there are no rules, and a delight in dressing and putting on make-up in a way that I enjoy is something I wish I’d discovered years ago.
PS That pink shirt is a keeper.
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You look wonderful in that pink shirt