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Color for Men
Based on the same system that has already worked for millions of women, COLOR FOR MEN is foolproof and scientific and works for every part of a man's wardrobe, from his business suit to his jogging suit. Using basic principles to understand the subtleties of skin, hair, and eye color, you match yourself to one of four seasonal palettes. Then you'll discover which shades of color in clothes complement your natural coloring. COLOR FOR MEN is the complete wardrobe system no man afford to miss.
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 6, 2014
This is a great style book for men since there are few good ones out there for us and, if we spend too much time thinking about it, some people think we're you know what! The main thrust of this book is: different color and shades look best on certain people depending on their skin coloring but that isn't limited to race either. The four areas are: winter, spring, summer and fall. Few variations in each one, too.
Now, that alone would give this a four star but the author goes beyond that: she covers hair styles based on face shapes, combining colors, clothes to buy based on your dressing style (these are broken down, too) and advice for what to seek out based on your color styles and your dressing styles. For instance, a more formal type gets certain types of jackets and slacks whereas a casual type gets more jeans and the like.
Excellent book. Highly recommend.
Now, that alone would give this a four star but the author goes beyond that: she covers hair styles based on face shapes, combining colors, clothes to buy based on your dressing style (these are broken down, too) and advice for what to seek out based on your color styles and your dressing styles. For instance, a more formal type gets certain types of jackets and slacks whereas a casual type gets more jeans and the like.
Excellent book. Highly recommend.
September 21, 2024
Not something to follow dogmatically, but excellent food for thought if you haven't started thinking about this stuff in a systematic way yet. As corny as this book is, I'll always be indebted to it for inspiring me to throw out all my black clothing, because I don't look good in it (even though everyone allegedly does!). I have pale skin and pale hair and it's never going to do anything but wash me out. I knew this intuitively every time I looked in the mirror, but it took an '80s self-help book to get me to understand exactly why.
The "seasons" are kind of theoretically unhelpful, by the way. What the four quadrants really are is the combination of warm skin vs. cool skin tone, and high-contrast vs. low-contrast complexions. These map to the seasons, but the book would be more useful if it made this mapping explicit. Being a "fall" just means I look good in orange undertones and bad in fuschia undertones, and better in monochrome/tonal outfits than in high-contrast outfits that wash out my face. For me that's way better than trying to stick to a prescribed color palette, though I guess no one would be able to sell you overpriced swatch booklets this way.
The "seasons" are kind of theoretically unhelpful, by the way. What the four quadrants really are is the combination of warm skin vs. cool skin tone, and high-contrast vs. low-contrast complexions. These map to the seasons, but the book would be more useful if it made this mapping explicit. Being a "fall" just means I look good in orange undertones and bad in fuschia undertones, and better in monochrome/tonal outfits than in high-contrast outfits that wash out my face. For me that's way better than trying to stick to a prescribed color palette, though I guess no one would be able to sell you overpriced swatch booklets this way.
June 7, 2014
Read this as an angsty teenager trying desperately to stop making perceived fashion faux pas. Have sworn by the colour theory of dressing myself ever since, to the chagrin of my life partners.
March 22, 2020
I liked it alot. I know you can analyze a man from a woman's book but it is very helpful to see all the man pictures. Especially as men don't wear makeup and back then they didn't usually dye their hair.
I also, found it odd that all the swatches for all the seasons were more intense/darker than in the ladies book. You also got more neutrals than in the ladies book. I waffled on Spring even though I knew I was because of the paleness of the colors and how my best weren't pale but, I just felt validated with this book. The colors for Spring were finally the right darkness and intensity for me. My favs were on there and everything. I also like it because people think beauty is just about makeup and covering who you are. It isn't. For men it's a "handsome" book vs a beauty book. They have to enhance with color as they don't get makeup. They should wear good lines of clothes and stuff so they don't look shabby and take care of their skin. Should they want to dye their hair they need tips on doing it right. That's not un-masculine, it's just common sense. One cavat, I don't think tan and stuff is right for work (I didn't for ladies either) so, I don't know why they make work bundles out of it. Sure Matlock wore light suits but, they were usually grey. People don't take you seriously in tan and camel suits.
I also, found it odd that all the swatches for all the seasons were more intense/darker than in the ladies book. You also got more neutrals than in the ladies book. I waffled on Spring even though I knew I was because of the paleness of the colors and how my best weren't pale but, I just felt validated with this book. The colors for Spring were finally the right darkness and intensity for me. My favs were on there and everything. I also like it because people think beauty is just about makeup and covering who you are. It isn't. For men it's a "handsome" book vs a beauty book. They have to enhance with color as they don't get makeup. They should wear good lines of clothes and stuff so they don't look shabby and take care of their skin. Should they want to dye their hair they need tips on doing it right. That's not un-masculine, it's just common sense. One cavat, I don't think tan and stuff is right for work (I didn't for ladies either) so, I don't know why they make work bundles out of it. Sure Matlock wore light suits but, they were usually grey. People don't take you seriously in tan and camel suits.
November 16, 2023
Nice book with concrete advice. The most difficult part is the beginning – it is hard to understand the theory. I read it myself several times at a time, I also looked for supporting information on the Internet. But once you have determined your type, the rest of the book clearly and directly explains what to wear and what not to.
Even if you don't agree with the theory about colors, the rest of the book offers helpful advice on selecting clothing for e.g. certain body characteristics.
Even if you don't agree with the theory about colors, the rest of the book offers helpful advice on selecting clothing for e.g. certain body characteristics.
November 26, 2017
Some of the material in this book seems out of date in the contemporary workplace. But the author's color analysis and color recommendations are timeless.
April 9, 2021
A book essential to help you know your style and color you should wear
May 23, 2022
Great book on color and style!
Some examples are a bit dated, but the system itself is timeless and entirely relevant today. A must-read for any man looking to dress his best.
Some examples are a bit dated, but the system itself is timeless and entirely relevant today. A must-read for any man looking to dress his best.
December 2, 2012
"Color for Men" is also from the '80's, when the "Color Me Beautiful" phenomenon was so popular.
What's nice about this book is that though it purports to be a color guide, it's actually much more than that. It's a complete guide to men's style, using the author's personal color system as a way to inform wardrobe selection.
As a men's style guide, it's much more in-depth than recent books I've read such as the "Details Men's Style Manual." There's great material in here about assessing your body shape, and selecting clothing and detailing to complement. For instance, choosing the correct shirt collar to balance the shape of a face, and selecting the right pants/belt/jacket to deal with long legs or a low waist. The only major omission is the book lacks a discussion about men's shoes - which styles to choose from, and how their color should play with the other color elements in a man's outfit.
One problem with the book is that because it is from the '80's, many of the styles portrayed within are dated now. And some advice, such as various ways suits are cut, probably also need updating in light of modern, trimmer cuts that are now in fashion.
But as for some of the fashion advice, I still have issues. I don't agree at all with the chapter about selecting an overall personal style based on a personality archetype. The selections they present - "Dramatic", "Romantic", "Classic", "Natural", and "Gamin" (?) - strike me as kind of hackneyed and ridiculous (and dated as well). I'm no expert on men's style, but I think you could do better than the examples presented here.
The illustrations, though they show dated styles, are well done and illustrate the text well. I think I have a crush on "Mister Blow-Dry Guy" on page 210. He looks like he may be enjoying his blow-dry a bit too much.
Ultimately, the timeless advice and principles - such as the rules for combining solids and patterns in an outfit - are definitely worth sifting through the dated material for them, and it's better overall than recent books like the "Details" guide.
I bought this book used for 99 cents through Alibris.
What's nice about this book is that though it purports to be a color guide, it's actually much more than that. It's a complete guide to men's style, using the author's personal color system as a way to inform wardrobe selection.
As a men's style guide, it's much more in-depth than recent books I've read such as the "Details Men's Style Manual." There's great material in here about assessing your body shape, and selecting clothing and detailing to complement. For instance, choosing the correct shirt collar to balance the shape of a face, and selecting the right pants/belt/jacket to deal with long legs or a low waist. The only major omission is the book lacks a discussion about men's shoes - which styles to choose from, and how their color should play with the other color elements in a man's outfit.
One problem with the book is that because it is from the '80's, many of the styles portrayed within are dated now. And some advice, such as various ways suits are cut, probably also need updating in light of modern, trimmer cuts that are now in fashion.
But as for some of the fashion advice, I still have issues. I don't agree at all with the chapter about selecting an overall personal style based on a personality archetype. The selections they present - "Dramatic", "Romantic", "Classic", "Natural", and "Gamin" (?) - strike me as kind of hackneyed and ridiculous (and dated as well). I'm no expert on men's style, but I think you could do better than the examples presented here.
The illustrations, though they show dated styles, are well done and illustrate the text well. I think I have a crush on "Mister Blow-Dry Guy" on page 210. He looks like he may be enjoying his blow-dry a bit too much.
Ultimately, the timeless advice and principles - such as the rules for combining solids and patterns in an outfit - are definitely worth sifting through the dated material for them, and it's better overall than recent books like the "Details" guide.
I bought this book used for 99 cents through Alibris.
July 11, 2013
I am mistaken by those who know me as a fashion expert but I learned almost everything I know from this marvelous book. As an awkward teenager I had a keen interest in looking my best and was painfully aware that I was failing miserably. Colors that I loved on walls or in paintings looked awful on me and my idea of style was to mimic whatever fad was trendy. However I could, at least, recognize when someone else was doing it well and so the quest began. This book was a revelation; like opening a window for the first time in a dark room. Carole Jackson explained why certain colors looked great on me and others did not. She explained how skin tone, hair and eye color are important to color choice and she devised a system whereby I could determine the best choices for myself. Also included are tips on co-ordinating a wardrobe, how a suit and shirt should fit, and how to evaluate your body type. This book jump started my sartorial journey through life. I heartily endorse it!
December 23, 2016
I use this as the basis of my wardrobe and it has never failed me. Matching the right wardrobe colors to your hair, eye, and skin "tones and colors" absolutely works to make you look more attractive and energetic. This book is a must have for anyone doing wardrobe planning.
December 29, 2008
Pretty much useless stuff. Worth ten minutes of your time, maximum.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews