I was debating as to what method I would use, Shari Braendel's system, or the traditional four seasons system.  I decided on the seasons because I find that one easier to place yourself in.
     The base for deciding what season you are in is determining your undertone.  Is it blue or gold?  A blue undertone tends for the cool colors of Summer and Winter?  Or are you more for the warm undertones of Spring and Fall?
     I myself am a definite autumn.  With light brown and gold features and paler skin, this season fits me the best by far.  I come to life in dark greens, oranges, and browns.  How ironic is it that those seem to all be fall colors?
    This link is an extremely helpful color analysis that I would suggest you take.  It's very informative and easy.
     Why find out your season?  Because it will help you determine what colors look best on you!  It goes along with body type and the types of clothes that look good on you.  Just like that, your coloring determines the colors that look good on you.

Winter No No's

• Orange
• Gold
• Rust
• Peach
• Orange-reds
• Yellow-greens
• Most beige
• Most brown
• Muted or dull tones

Winter Oh Yes's!

• Pure White
• Black
• Gray
• Dark taupe (not light though)
• Navy blue
• Burgundy (has to be kept bright)
• Red
• Green (ranging form emerald to pine, but not forest green)
• True blue, royal blue, and Chinese blue
• Turquoise
• Royal purple
• Hot pinks (form shocking pink to magenta to fuchsia)
• Bright lemon yellow
• Icy colors: blue, aqua, pink,violet, green and yellow

Words For Winter Colors

True, Blue, Vivid, Sharp, Clear, and Icy

Spring No No's

• Black
• Pure white
• Blue-red
• Colors with blue undertones
• Dark or muted colors

Spring Oh Yes's!

• Ivory
• Off-white
• Beige (from light beige to caramel)
• Browns (from golden tan to milk chocolate)
• Golds (bright but not harsh)
• Yellow-gray (if worn near the face)
• Light navy
• Aqua
• Clear Turquoise
• Periwinkle
• Violet
• Any peachy pinks (peach, apricot, salmon, coral, etc.)
• Light orange
• Orange-red
• Clear Red
• Clear yellow-greens
• Green (ranging form pastel to bright)

Words For Spring Colors

Clear, Warm, and Crisp

Summer No No's

• Black
• Pure White
• Yellow-beige
• Gold
• Orange
• Yellow-green
• Yellow undertones

Summer Oh Yes's

• Pastels
• Soft neutrals
• Soft white (with no yellow)
• Beige and brown with a rose tone
• Blues (except royal or Chinese)
• Aqua (light to medium)
• Gray and soft navy
• Blue-greens
• Pastel pinks with a blue undertone
• Muted rose or fuchsia tones
• Reds with blue tones
• Watermelon (leaning towards coral)
• Lavender, orchid, and mauve pastels
• Plum, burgundy, raspberry
• Light lemon (no other yellow)

Words for Summer Colors

Blue, Rose, and Soft

Autumn No No's

• Black
• Pink
• Navy 
• Gray
• Blue-reds
• Colors with blue undertones
• Watch out that your peach, periwinkle, and lime green are not too pale

Autumn Oh Yes's

• Oyster white
• Warm beiges from light to dark (except taupe and rose beiges)
• Dark chocolate brown
• Browns (mahogany, camel, tan, all bronze tones, etc.)
• Gold
• Orange
• Orange-reds and bittersweet reds
• Yellow-greens (from gray to bright)
• Earth greens (from jade to moss)
• Forest Green
• Strong turquoise
• Muted teal
• Deep periwinkle

Words for Autumn Colors

Clear, Muted, Warm, and Gold

None of these photos are mine and I reserve full rights to Google Images.

BeYOUtiful: No No's and Oh Yes's!

Sorry everyone... once again I didn't preschedule this post for the right time... my apologies.  It should have been up about 5 hours ago.

So the set up posts for this were about color and body type.  If you have not already, go ahead and determine your coloring and body type and return back to this post.

     Have you ever noticed that some things that you wear may look way better on you than others?  Maybe it brings your eyes or face to life or maybe it makes you look slimmer... there's a reason.  Each person falls into a certain color or body type group.  Now in body type, you can be a "hybrid" and go between two, but there are basics.  I am going to give you a guide to what looks good on you.  In this post we will discuss what looks good on you according to body type.
B Body Type
     This means you gain weight in your belly area.  This in fact, is the category I am in.  Our goal is to camouflage that area.
No No's

• Never tuck in your tops.  When you do this it makes your shirt tighter right across your problem area and draws attention to it.  This is certainly not your goal.
• Be careful how you wear belts around your waist.  Unless you have very little extra fat there, it will cause your stomach to bulge out from beneath it.  Never wear a belt very tight because it will dig into your skin causing the extra to flair out around it.
• Never wear short jackets that hit at the bust line, waistline, or just below it.  This leaves your problem area out for the world to see!  
• I know that shoulder pads are very out, but if you do purchase a jacket with them inside, remove them.  They make your shoulders seem to broad, and the great thing about a B's figure is that her shoulders are very balanced.
• Don't get shirts a size too small as it gets too clingy, exposing you more.

Oh Yes's!

• Accessorize! especially at the neckline because it draws the attention away from your midsection.  Don't be afraid to go bold and big!
• Wear long scarves, while hiding your trouble section this can still be very fashionable.
• Wear loose fitting and flowy tops.  This really looks great on a B and makes them look much slimmer because you can't see any of the extra weight at all.
• Wearing a shirt, jacket, and pants is a great combination that will slim you down right away!
• Wearing patterns such as stripes draws attention away.
• Wear a jacket that reaches down to your hips as it balances you out.

O Body Type

   You mostly gain weight in the bust and top half area.  This can be great for your figure, but not so great for modesty.
No No's

• A bra that is too small or two big.  We're all ladies here and we know how important this is, but for you it is most important.
• Don't wear slacks or pants that are full or wide at the bottom because you don't want to look boxy.  Go for a slight flare instead.
• Don't wear jackets or shirts that are too tight around your bust area because it looks awkward and not to mention, uncomfortable!
• Be sure to have plenty of cami's because of how low tops are nowadays you're going to need them!  We don't want to be immodest.
• Don't wear necklaces that fall on or into the bust line.

Oh Yes's!

• Don't be afraid to make your legs look good in a skirt, no matter what length it may be.  O's are blessed with great legs.
• Jackets look great on O's, especially the swing type.
• If you wear patterns it will neutralize your bust line.

D Body Type

     In some ways I find myself falling into this category as well.  The D gains weight in the hips/rear section.
No No's

• Jeans that make your legs look great but make your rear look big.
• Jeans that make your rear look good but are baggy around your legs.  I know it's hard for you!
• Pants or skirts that hug your hips and thighs.  It makes that area look heavy.
• Keep patterns and statements at the top to draw away from your lower half.
• Do not wear skinny jeans.
• Don't wear V necks, they make most people look slimmer, but not you unfortunately.
• If shoulder pads are applicable, they can actually help you.  They will balance out your rear and hips.
• Do not stop your statement color at your trouble spot.

Oh Yes's!

• Patterns on the upper half that draw attention upwards.
• Short jackets look great on you with flared or full pants or slacks.
• Scoop necks and square necks put you in proportion and look great.
• Collared shirts are great because they make you look more balanced.
• For the summer, off the shoulder is great because it evens your body out.
• Belts are great for you at the waist!
• Accessorizing that draws the eyes up is a must for you.  Be daring!

X Body Type

     X is spread out evenly all over and while it may not seem like it, does have some disadvantages.  Did you know that most manufacturers make clothing for uneven body types?
No No's

• If you have a small frame beware of accessories that overpower you!
• Also beware of accessories that are too small for your frame!
• Don't wear tight clothes... they may look inappropriate on you.
• Don't wear too big clothes.  It looks very sloppy.

Oh Yes's!

• Contrasting tops or bottoms in fit i.e. a flowy top with skinnier bottoms.
• Skinny jeans look great on you!
• Belts are great for you!

 





 I hope that this helped you out.  Keep this in mind as we venture further into the series.

None of these photos are mine and I reserve full rights to Google Images.

BeYOUtiful: Color Matters

     Today, you are going to be learning about what color group you are, light, deep, soft, clear, warm, or cool.  Some of these groups may not apply to most of you, because often times it is older people that fall into certain groups.  I do want you to know that I didn't create these groups, once again it is from the book Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad.  I would seriously suggest buying it.  It is amazing!
      You may have been familiar with the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.  This is slightly different.  You can do the free color analysis here!  I think that I am probably a soft, but it's possible I may be a deep too.  If you would rather, you may also do a seasonal color analysis like what I talked about earlier.  For me, that one is more definite.  My season for that one is Autumn.  It shouldn't be too hard to find an analysis for that on the internet.  Or, you can read the old Color Me Beautiful book.
     I know this post is super short, but it's just a set up for what's to come.  Comment with your season/color group!

BeYOUtiful: The BODX System

     Hey you all!  We're moving on to the next section of BeYOUtiful today!

     The Beauty of You!
     In this section, we will find out your natural types, body, coloring, and such.  Today we are going to be finding your personal body type using the BODX system from Shari Braendel's book, Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad.  It's an amazing book that I will be talking about in a later post.
      An important part of learning about you is loving your body, and what better way to do so than to find out your body type.

The B body type-

• Balanced shoulders and hips
• Gains weight in belly
• Fuller waist or muffin top
• Straight figure
• Not too much in rear

The O body type-

• Overly endowed bust
• Rounded on top, bust, and upper midriff area
• Full figure
• Nice legs

The D body type-

• Gains weight in hips, thighs, and rear
• Narrow waist
• Small to medium width shoulders
• Minimal bustline
• Full rear

The X body Type-

• Shoulders and hips are balanced
• Narrow waistline
• Gains weight evenly all over
• Ideal weight
• Balanced proportions

      I know that X sounds really good, you must be thinking.  "I really want to be an X!"  But don't let that get in the way of your better judgement.  Say what you really think.  Did you know that most clothing makers make their clothes for unevenly proportional bodies?
     Don't freak out if you don't fit into one category, then you are a hybrid.;)  I'm a b-d hybrid!
Be sure to comment below with your body type and if you have any questions or if you're confused!!!