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Thursday, August 31, 2017

The Perfect Off The Shoulder Top


The bane of this summer's mission shopping has been to find the perfect "off-the-shoulder" top. On-line shopping has helped very little. Several ordered and either odd sleeves or no sleeves that worked. Alteration have been attempted changing bells sleeves (yuck) to elastic 3/4 sleeves that can be pushed up - Better. A button at the top on another was opened and material stitched back to create a notch - Kind of works. My taylor added darts to another - This did help to provide shape. Another with straps over the shoulder and a bow in the back was just a little, imagine this, girly/cute for even for me.  

Last week in Macy's I did find  and bought a Lauren off-the-shoulder top. (see above) I saw it originally for $89.50 and passed. Too much for a casual top, not justifiable. Forty percent off last week and a $20.00 coupon made it $33.50 - totally within reason. Also available from Ralph Lauren here

I tried on my usual medium, too tight, and by accident took in an x-large. Thankfully it was to large. Large sits just at the tip of the shoulder perfectly and blouses out some at the hips. A nice casual, cool look and almost a year round item for South Florida.  

I am likely to pair it with one of the denim skirts above. Perfect for a casual lunch/dinner or shopping. I think both of the two skirts are just above the knee in length. If I do choose shorts for a beach walk, then sandals.  

 


Wednesday, August 30, 2017

One Half of My life


Stanna (Femulate) had several wonderful post discussing getting out. I have few regrets in my life and realize if too much had changed, “early on” it would likely be a different person today. Like going back in a time machine - If you tinker, too much you can really mess things up in the future. Therefore, I am pleased the way things worked out. I would love to say it was great planning and execution however, as with so much in life, just plain happenstance. 

This is a note to younger self:

Do not be so afraid of what others think. Few care. If you are looking for permission, it is not going to happen. The timing will never be better than today. You will regret denying this part of your reality.

I was thin, petite, and had good hair like the stock photo to the right.  Androgynous would have worked so well for me. Cute, I could have been. The first time I ever went out as Rhonda was the fall of 1982; 35 years ago. I spent almost exactly one-half of my life wishing, but not doing. I did not wake up one morning and say, “I think today I would like to now wear a dress”. No, it was always there however, I lacked the courage. 

Transitioning or seeing myself in the “wrong body” was never a haunting specter so I put off much. I let others control me; however, the responsibility to be myself was mine. Permission was not required however I self-limited. If there are young people reading this blog then get out and enjoy/live your youth. If you are not young and have self-limited, then why are you waiting?   

The timing is never better than today. It is never too late…



1982 - My best "Tootsie" imitation.
Wow - I wonder where those boots went?

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

What Would You Do?

We have all likely seen the ABC show "What Would You Do?".  A recent relevant segment was this:
The clip begins with Jen, a transgender woman, trying on a dress, only to have a woman who works at the store named Ariane respond rudely to her. The employee asks if this is for a "costume," calling the shopper "a drag queen or a transvestite or something." The worker then asks the transgender woman to take the dress off, to not rip it, and that "no one else is going to want to wear it after you've had it on." The employee says there are other customers to take care of — you know, "real women" — and asks the customer, referred to as "sir," to leave.
What would you do If you saw this happen? How would most react?  I believe that all of us would come to the rescue, no matter how we were dressed. I will relate later an instance where this happened to me and what I did. But before, enjoy the whole segment. It is heart warming to see strangers come to our defense. Spoiler alert - A Hug.



__________________________

A few years back I was shopping at an upscale Mall in Boca Raton. The store, Lord & Taylor. This was not my first time in this store or that designer department. I loved that store. I had in my hands a beautiful skirt and was about to hold it up to my waist as we all do, to check the length. As I am standing by a mirror I hear the crackle of a radio. "The person shopping is not a woman". I was not exactly sure where the muffled announcement came from but my first instinct was, oh there must be an another transgender person shopping too. Not even thinking it was about me.  

Crackle again and this time much louder - "The person by the mirror is not a woman". This time loud enough for the whole department to hear - Maybe the whole first floor. They were surely talking about me!

What would you do? I quietly placed the skirt back on the rack, and exited the store. Embarrassed, dumb struck and near tears. As I drove home I got mad. As soon as I entered my home, I called the store and ask to talk to the store manager. I related what had happened and she was very apologetic. She told me she would investigate the matter and get back. I expected noting. 

An hour later she did call back and stated she had scheduled a mandatory "all security" meeting for the next morning and assured me something like this would never happen again.  

I was invited to attend this meeting, but not being as brave as I am now, I declined. The store manager did call again later that next day and said that all L&T stores in this district would also be receiving remedial security training and they would never handle an instance like mine that way again. Corporate L&T security had also been advised that this was not a way to treat a customer. A letter would go to all L&T stores.  

What I learned is that we have every right to shop, and be ourselves. When treated unfairly - say something, do something. Like in the "What Would You Do?" segment, intolerance is not acceptable.         


Monday, August 28, 2017

Feeling A Little Blue



Blue has never been my favorite color. I am not sure why. Based on my eyes I am told that I should wear that color and color analysis says it looks good with my hair and over all complexion. I like more vivid and autumn colors but never sure they like me. I can always fall back to blue and know it works.  See my post on color analysis.   

The above off the shoulder sweater is from Boston Proper, currently on sale ($39.99). It looks good although a little heavy for South Florida, especially during our warm and very warm seasons. A sweater, that is off the shoulder, is very much a contradiction although stylish. My shoulders are tan and I do have the necessary strapless bra. 

White dress pants are a natural for a cool look and make matching up everything easy. A year round item for Florida. These are my "go to" knit pants from Talbots Windsor and do hang and travel well. The white purse is Dooney and Bourke (Windham Kate Small Bucket). Although it does not show, it is a nylon material, not leather. The suede shoes and envelope bag (pouch) are Banana Republic. Both this season, if you are interested.  

The charm bracelet is Pandora and the watch is my Michelle. Michelle watches have easily changeable bands. Having the matching blue band pulls everything together and I do have a band in white that would works as well.

I have always enjoyed this part of being feminine. The shopping, the planning, the getting dressed and the evening. Sure, it take effort and sometimes a second opinion to get it right. However to look in the mirror as you head out and know that you are "pulled together" is so worth it.


Let that double-take you get, be about looking well dressed.    



   .

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Friday, August 25, 2017

Friend's Friday - Allison

Allison

Everyone loves a success story. This past week I traveled to North/South Carolina for pleasure and viewing the eclipse. Rooms were all booked in my viewing city-of-choice, so I booked the weekend in Asheville NC which is about an hour's drive just across the border from Clemson SC. 

Asheville is an enclave of art, theater, music, food and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I partook of all, especially the food part. Asheville is an east coast version of Sante Fe. I grew up in the Virginia Blue Ridge foothills and seeing the mountains with their blue cast, always makes me think of home. I will write more about Asheville in later posts.

While there, I had a wonderful lunch at Biltmore Village with a special person. Allison and I became friends when she was considering our mutual facial doctor, Vartan Mardirossian. We found we had much in common, one of which is a career choice. Allison is very articulate, smart and beautiful.  FYI – Vartan did a stunning job. 

Many times within our community, we read tales of distress peppered with guilt, regret, and anger. Very much a reality when lives are unfilled, only with the “wish I had” remaining. When one encounters someone that has taken all the right steps to prevent the “only if”, it is a bright day. Allison is private, although completely living her life to the full, on her terms. She is successfully integrating family and a professional/management career with possible political aspirations. 

Allison is someone that is “out” in our community, working for her success and others as well. A rising star to watch that I believe has just begun to accomplish much. What a pleasure it is to know you. Thank you for our lunch meeting and a wonderful discussion. Let’s hope for many more like meeting.

Allison, we can all look forward to seeing where your intelligence, beauty and motivation leads. 


You go girl! 


Thursday, August 24, 2017

Feminine Differential - Wearable Art

Art To Wear Display Window
Have you ever considered what you wear as art. We all watch the awards pre-shows to see the gowns, shoes and jewelry.  Fashion meets art. I love to people watch at the mall and airports and study what people are wearing. Plus we have all gone to museums that featured fashion. Accordingly the Smithsonian Institution list the First Ladies Exhibition as one of the most popular attractions. On every trip I make a pilgrimage to see the stunning inaugural gowns. How about you?

It has not been all that long that clothing and fashion has been considered art. Yes, a unique display of personality and style has emerged over the last 100 years. According to the book “Against Fashion: Clothing as Art”:


The late nineteenth-century invention of "fashion" as we understand it today inspired avant-garde artists of the period to create an art form to counter commercial fashion. These artists saw clothing not as a symbol of class distinction but as a force for shaping experience -- an opportunity to make things new, to go beyond the traditional boundaries of art. For many artists, therefore, dress design was too important to be left to the fashion designers; they would appropriate clothing as an art form that could break through the traditional boundaries of "pure" art to act directly on life.

Just this past weekend I visited a beautiful fashion boutique in Asheville. Bellagio Art to Wear located in Biltmore Village. It is very much like a museum with curated windows that turned so that either side could be either a store/window display. If you wanted to see something that was in the window, all they need do was turn the display. Matching fashion items hang in glass display cases through the boutique showing, tops/dresses, shoes, handbag and jewelry. Many displays would have an antique statues or art items shown as well. All of the jewelry is artist-made with many items being one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Most all of the pieces were expensive so not a boutique where Rhonda is getting her next dinner ensemble. However, it gave me reason to think that all of us should consider our fashion to be art. Let's express ourselves and not be boring. Are we not already expressing our self - Our choice to be feminine. Yes the feminine differential. Plan, shop, choose, and show you passion of fashion as art. 


Be bold. 







Bellagio Art to Wear located in Biltmore Village Asheville NC



Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Eclipse 8/21/2017

This is how Forbes Magazine (Ten Surprises) described Monday's Eclipse.  I could not agree more.  This was my first total eclipse also.   

There's nothing on Earth like a total solar eclipse. It's been said that on a scale of 1 to 10, a partial eclipse is a 5, while an annular eclipse is a 9. Millions of people across America — myself included — experienced the first total solar eclipse of their lives yesterday, and if a partial is a 5 and an annular is a 9, then a total eclipse must be 1,000,000.

I had one question this morning - Yes the photos below are my photos take during the eclipse.



August 21, 2017

What an amazing sight to behold. 

This was the last seconds before the totality/darkness

Monday, August 21, 2017

Total Eclipse of The....

Today I am in Clemson South Carolina for the Total Eclipse. I have seen several partial eclipse but never been in the path of totality. Growing up I was very interested in science and astronomy so always wanted to see day turn to night and then back.  Much of the United States will see a partial eclipse and there is a small path of of totality starting in Newport Oregon and traveling east to McClellanville South Carolina today. 

I hope you get to experience this solar eclipse or another someday. My granddaughter is a senior at Clemson, so a good time for a visit and see the event. Tomorrow's post will likely be delayed as I will be traveling. Enjoy the video below.  

    


Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart 

In a National Geographic article E. C. Krupp, director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles stated this about the days of eclipse.


If you do a worldwide survey of eclipse lore, the theme that constantly appears, with few exceptions, is it's always a disruption of the established order.
People depend on the sun's movement. It is regular, dependable, you can't tamper with it. And then, all of a sudden, Shakespearean tragedy arrives and time is out of joint. The sun and moon do something that they shouldn't be doing. Some see it as a time of terror, while others look at a solar eclipse as part of the natural order that deserves respect, or as a time of reflection and reconciliation.  

For the Geeks out there here is a great article on the math involved in calculating the timing of eclipse. A math history lesson.  Enjoy    

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Political Cartoons 8-20






My sentiments exactly!

I am on vacation in a total eclipse city. I hope to get a good view and wish you the same. 


Saturday, August 19, 2017

Friday, August 18, 2017

I Hate It When...



From - The Color Black - Black is mysterious and protective.

The color black relates to the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, and as a result it creates an air of mystery. It keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world.
In color psychology this color gives protection from external emotional stress.

It creates a barrier between itself and the outside world, providing comfort while protecting its emotions and feelings, and hiding its vulnerabilities, insecurities and lack of self confidence.

Black is the absorption of all color and the absence of light. Black hides, while white brings to light.What black covers, white uncovers.
We all use black at various times to hide from the world around us in one way or another. Some of us use it to hide our weight; others among us use it to hide our feelings, our fears or our insecurities.
In color psychology, black means power and control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others.

Black is intimidating, unfriendly and unapproachable because of the power it exudes. It can prevent two-way communication because of its intimidation. The salesman wearing all black will make a lot of sales, but no friends! It radiates authority, but creates fear in the process.

Black implies self-control and discipline, independence and a strong will, and giving an impression of authority and power. Black absorbs negative energy. It is useful to carry something black with you to protect you from harm and negativity when traveling or when going about your usual daily activities outside your home.

People who like black may be conventional, conservative and serious, or they may think of themselves as being sophisticated or very dignified.

The color black is often seen as a color of sophistication, as in 'the little black dress', or 'the black tie event'.

Research Confirms That Wearing Black Makes You Appear More Attractive, Intelligent and Confident. (Source Modern Salon) 

___________________________



The above is my "going crazy" shopping at Banana Republic from several weeks ago.  I already had the Ralph Lauren shoulder bag. So if black makes me appear more "attractive, intelligent and confident", I can use the help on all fronts!






Thursday, August 17, 2017

Holly Boswell - The Goddess


"We need to recognize that each of us, in our own small way, are makers of our culture."We can exercise that function best by expressing our true selves, not by simply fulfilling our culture's expectations. We are all in transition...

Holly Boswell

Holly Boswell (1950-2017)
Photo - Mariette Pathy Allen
Yesterday Stana reported that Holly Boswell, gender pioneer had passed way. Only 67 years old and someone that made her mark in the emerging and brave gender community of the 1990's. I first met Holly at the Holiday-En-Femme in Burbank California, 1989. I was immediately impressed by this little, beautiful and powerhouse of energy. She was a spiritual person and encourage it in others.  

At most all of our transgender convention she would host a spiritual circle event of drum and/or meditation. Holly was someone that lived her faith and expressed it a quiet and beautiful manner. Thank you Holly for sharing!


Here is an article written by Holly from TV-TS Tapestry issue #61, publication date 1991


A Re-emergence of the Goddess

By Holly Boswell

In her Trinity Award acceptance speech at the IFGE convention in Denver last year, Mariette Pathy Allen challenged the Gender Community with an important question: 

"Do you realize that you would have been the Berdaches in another society? You would have been the spiritual leaders, the visionaries who saw the bigger picture, because you see from more points of view... It is critical that you claim that position now. It is yours." 

Rena Swifthawk, a Native American medicine woman, says that she and her elders believe that there is an abundance of transgendered people being born into the world now who can help heal the planet if they chaise to accept this role. Many so-called New Age thinkers, peace activists, ecologists, radical feminists …  even anthropologists and psychologists are advocating the need for a new set of values based on cooperation, balance, and harmony to re-place the institutionalized ethics of com-petition. polarization, and domination. 

There is strong evidence that human cultures up until 5.000 years ago were matriarchal, goddess-worshipping, and egalitarian. Men and women were equal partners, not master and slave, and the global ecology was respected. In her book The Chalice and the Blade, Riane Eisler points out" ... the central religious image [used to bel a woman giving birth and not, as in our time, a man dying on a cross ... in this new reality that is now said to he the sole creation of a male God, the lift-giving and nurturing (qualities have I been displaced by the power to dominate and destroy… " The subjugation of women and of Nature is symptomatic of the disastrous  path we have been traveling for far too long. 

Gender liberation may well be the key to a revolution in consciousness that is needed to resolve our most urgent global crises. Gender is at the very heart of who we are as human beings, and governs how we interact with each other and the world. The inner healing that we as transgendered individuals achieve can be outwardly applied to the imbalance and distress that surrounds us. This used to be standard practice in most "primitive" societies. Some form of transgenderism was a prerequisite for Native American medicine people (Berdache), the Hijras of India, the Mahu of Polynesia, the Shamans of Asia, and elsewhere. Other spiritual disciplines such as Wicca, Taoism, Tantrism, the Christian Order of Mary and Hermetic teachings espouse similar views of gender balance. Despite the errancy of Western Civilization, an androgynous Jesus Christ tried to reassert the feminine values of compassion, responsibility, and love over the masculine excesses of conquest and inequality.   

No matter what our religious background. beliefs, or talents, let us encourage each other to explore the potential of our transgender heritage. In what form will the Goddess emerge through you? What motivates and inspires you? What spiritual and earthly tools will you need to accomplish your work? How will you share your knowledge? Ultimately, how can you summon the potency of your divine grace to heal the disease and suffering of fellow humans of all the other innocent life forms and of Mother Earth herself? 

You will find your calling - where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." 

(A dozen and more transgendered people are forming a Circle, hopefully the first of many, to share and transmute their knowledge into practice for personal and global healing. Mother Earth needs you, too - Form more Transgender Healers' Circles.)


 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Kay Gould - Escape Pioneer

Kay Gould - Tapestry Issue 53 (1988)
Love this Photo!

I was aware that I was a transgender person long before there was the internet, AOL chat rooms and blogs. I seriously thought I had to be the only person on this planet with this mind set. In 1962 I read about one other person and this allowed me some solace. Finally I found magazines that addressed my interest and I devoured every word. Many published irregularly and were difficult to find. These were baby steps to understanding and accepting myself. 


In these publications there was one name I found regularly and she quickly became my hero. The person, Kay Gould

This was well over 40 years ago and I could not wait to read about her outing; what I now call "ESCAPES”. In her own words from Issue 57 of Tapestry:

As a person who travels about 150-200 days a year, I have been fortunate enough to visit most of the areas in which the cross dressing (CD) and transsexual (TS) culture exists. In fact, I always try to structure my personal schedule to be in as many cities as possible where events are taking place.

Kay placed tasteful personal ads in these publications where she stated she was "Attractive, outgoing and loves to date. Kay said she was very accomplished, and frequently travels dressed; enjoys high fashion, good music, and friends."   

From the photographs, her self description was correct and write/travel Kay did. I was impressed with her numerous stories of dinners out, visiting places as Kay and travels. There were beautiful details. How could anyone be so brave? How could anyone be so forthright?  Could I ever do something like that?  How I envied her style. There would be nights I would fantasize and dream about doing the things Kay was doing.

Much of the courage that I have today came from reading Kay's adventures.  

Courageous pioneers like Kay are needed. They make the impossible seem possible. They challenge all of us to know that our prisons are self-made and escape is not just possible, necessary.

Kay, if you are still out there somewhere or anyone knows more details on Kay's life please comment. Also if anyone has any of the older publication with "Kay's Way" stories please scan and send. I would love to publish these again. Still relevant - Courage and fun never goes out of date.  

Thank you Kay for blazing a trail for all of us and helping us see that Escapes are possible. A gender escape pioneer.  



Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Tapestry and Other Publications

Tapestry Issue 49 (1986)
During my first days of coming to understand being transgender I would read as many of the publications that I could find.  The one that seemed to be the most thought provoking and enlightening was Tapestry published by the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE).  It had many contributing writers including Virginia Prince. 

I do not believe the IFGE still exist, although well funded at one time.  

What was most interesting about Tapestry was that it went main stream. It was available in the magazine section of Barnes & Nobel and Borders. No small accomplishment for the early 1990's and early 2000's.   

I always enjoyed browsing IFGE's book selection that was a fixture in the vendor area of our transgender conventions. Curating the many publication and books on being transgender was a worthy endeavor. Their library was extensive. I hope the library still exist somewhere.   

I believe that the infighting that happened in many of our early transgender groups caused IFGE's demise. I have seen is happen time after time in our groups because, in my callus observation, “men attempting to emulate but not behaving like ladies”. Women’s groups thrive on cooperation and the betterment of the cause. Man’s groups fail due to egos and power struggles. Sometimes you can put a man in a dress but cannot change the overall behavior. I have seen both sides.

If anyone has a better feeling of what happened to IFGE please let us know. Dallas Denny, a writer of dozens of articles for transgender community magazines and newsletters gave her side of the story. From 2011 see it here.  

Tapestry was a part of my early transgender experience. It let me know I was not alone and provided information on groups and conventions. Tapestry and other publications/newsletters had article written by individuals that were living my ultimate dream; to be out in the real world, being accepted and enjoying myself. Tomorrow I will write more on one person that provided just such encouragement and became my role model.  


_____________________

Thanks to a note from Katy a few weeks back letting me know that many of our early transgender publications are available to read. Tapestry, LadyLike and many more. As she said: 


They are a treasure trove of cartoons, stories and ads that reflect the changes our community has seen over the past 20 years or so. You will be up all night going through them.

And yes, I was up all night reading. You too can binge read - search and enjoy.   



Monday, August 14, 2017

The Feminine Differential - Lipstick

There is nothing more alluring and feminine than beautiful lips. 

During early outing as Rhonda, lipstick scared me. Here is the scenario; As someone who would cross dress on trips, I learned that some shades of lipstick would stain my lips and be nearly impossible to completely get off the next day. The “you made out with a hooker all night look”. I had no concept of what looked good or the big question, how to shop for lipstick.  

To learn the proper application techniques and color, I had professional make-overs at salons and department store beauty counters. I highly recommend this and I learn something new every time.    

One thing I noticed early on was I was blessed with talking and eating habits that meant my lipstick would stay put. I would watch as women would retire to the restroom to “freshen” their lipstick after dinner, and as I checked my lipstick, it was still there. An application early in the evening is typically still fresh when I return home at the end of the evening. 


Rhonda was out with several girl friends for a long evening of laughs, wine, and dinner and it was pointed out to me late in the evening, my lipstick was still there. I was asked point blank, what lipstick I used and what I did to keep it in place. Just drugstore lipstick and on the how, no clue. Yes, a blessing and a curse.  

Back to how to get it off - One trick I used to both remove makeup and lipstick was cold cream - yes the old PONDS brand the my grandmother used. It does the job well. However for the really tough bright red lipstick, scrub with toothpaste. To remove eye make up, I still use baby shampoo; no tears.  Here are some other good lip stick removal hacks. 

Also I learned over time that when I choose the proper color for my skin type (cool, warm, or neutral) the lip color residue, after removal, matched my natural lip color. It would blend in and I was safe. So as you experiment with colors keep this in mind, especially when the clean look is needed the next day.  

If you really want to get into the science of the process see this Wiki How to Choose the Right Lipstick for You.  







Saturday, August 12, 2017

Ask Yourself...



Everyone have a wonderful weekend - Escape!

Friday, August 11, 2017

Friend's Friday - Invitation







I have put up this invitation for two reasons.  First to encourage you to look for groups and places to escape. There are many places and if it be a group, you get to make new friends. If not a group event, just being out builds your confidence and you get known at friendly establishments. Always wear your best smile.  

Also this is an invitation to local friends in South Florida. This is a LGBT professional and social group - everyone welcome. I have written before about the wonderful staff at The Raindancer and the friends I have made through this group. The "Raindance Steakhouse" is a famous spot in West Palm Beach. Jody, Spiro and Nickey always make everyone feel welcome. We meet every month, second Sunday when not a holiday; e.g. Mother's Day. Also we do meet at other places around the area and in Palm Beach, so check in each month.  


 A fun escape!   



Lounge at the Raindancer Steakhouse

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Princess Kate is feeling the love-love!

Princess Kate at Wimbledon


Source People magazine - Simon Perry

A few weeks back, the tennis-loving royal debuted a new shorter hairdo as she sat front and center for the start of Wimbledon — an event she recently called “a quintessential part of English summer.”

The royal mom wore a polka dot Dolce & Gabbana dress as she headed to the iconic sports arena in London before the first match of the day to meet with some of the young people who will help serve the courts as ballboys and girls over the next two weeks.

______________


Wednesday, August 9, 2017

No Matter.....





Branca BACCI_BRUNELLI

The above is the closing from a beautiful video link below.  It is encouraging and has photos of a young princess's transition. To be 21 again........

What a beautiful woman.  Enjoy!


Transgender Transition Timeline

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Color Analysis

Not all deals were at Amazon on Prime Day. I had to return an item to Macy's and did a quick check at several (real) stores while at the mall. Some items were "end of the season" stuff and others were just plain clearance. Sales season is the only season we see in South Florida. 

I love yellow and have always been drawn to it. When I had auburn hair it "kind of" worked, but all color sample analysis said no. Just not right for my warm / autumn completion is what I was told. Now that my hair is grey/white, I see that yellow next to my face, washes me out. I need white of vibrant colors to keep me for looking dull.  

Personal color analysis, or skin tone color matching done correctly is revealing. Many times I would try something on and it just did not know why, but it just did not look right - made me look tired or washed out. Here is how Wikipedia describes the process:


In the cosmetics and fashion industry, color analysis, also called skin tone color matching, personal color or seasonal color, is the process of finding colors of clothing and makeup to match a person's skin complexion, eye color, and hair color. The goal is to determine the colors that best suit an individual's natural coloring and the result is often used as an aid to wardrobe planning and style consulting

From how I was trained during a time that I worked as a beauty consultant (story for another day), color analysis is best broken up into four season of colors. Working with color swatches held next to the face is much easier that working with a color wheel. Here are the basics:

  • Spring - The colors of this season are truly like a spring bouquet of flowers enveloped in bright spring green leafy foliage: red-orange and coral tulips, bright yellow jonquils and daffodils.
  • Summer - Baby blue, slate blue, periwinkle, powder pink, seafoam green and slate grey are typical Summer colors.
  • Autumn - Typical colors from the palette include pumpkin, mustard yellow, burnt orange, brown, camel, beige, avocado green, rust and teal. Autumn colors are perennially popular, because they bring a feeling of warmth and security. 
  • Winter - The colors from this season are clear and icy, like a winter's day; always with subtle blue undertones. Winter inspires pictures of winter berries, pine green conifers and black and white.
Inventyourimage.com

Although many years ago my color was autumn, I believe that I am more of a winter now.  Seems reflective. Find out which grouping you belong to, which colors you should gravitate toward, and which you should steer clear. And remember—these are suggestions that aren't written in stone. Go with that makes you feel confident. 

So to get back to my yellow pants. Original cost $108.00 reduced to $42.00 and for that day 50% off. How could I turn down $21.00 for a high quality item. I can wear yellow away for the face and as an accent piece. The shorts were also 50% off.  I had already saved so much so how could I say no. And that is my story and I am sticking by it.  

All of the other items I already had in my closet, so I could easily justify the pants. They are a knit material that hangs nicely and will travel well. 

Also see: 5 Surefire Ways To Find Out Which Colors Flatter You Most.