We are getting ready for a trip to France and that, of course, entails LOTS of discussions around what to bring. I tend to travel light being a graduate of the Ricky Steves travel guides. My wife also travels generally light, but everything must be color coordinated with everything else. This is non-negotiable.
Way back in the day a very good friend of ours ‘did our colors.’ For those of you who have not enjoyed this particular ‘must do’ in adult living, the theory is simple. Everyone can be categorized into generally 4 pallets of color, adoringly named as a season – summer, fall, winter, or spring. If you thought there were 8 or 12 categories of human, I’m here to say those other methods of dictating exactly who and what you are by general statements of existence don’t count. When it comes to dressing “one must have their colors done” to avoid the immense public humiliation of being caught wearing some article of clothing that doesn’t match perfectly the shades of color for your body type.
I’m a winter. Don’t ask me why, I just am and have learned to accept it. Dark hair, blue eyes. That seems to be my mold. My wife is a spring, I think. Blond hair, blue eyes. I am supposed to wear colors like royal blues, blue-ish reds, and deep greens, even black and white. My wife wears army greens, golds, yellows, orange reds, and tans. The Giants baseball team colors are perfect for her. I’m more a Giants football team color type of person.
Our housekeepers can always tell which closet to put clothes in by the color schemes. I have in a fit of closet mania, organized my shirts into areas of color with corresponding colored hangers. (I have to admit that episode in my life was not something I was proud of and have since stopped. The stress alone of maintaining that approach to storage was too much for me.)
I admit having gone through the appropriate color evaluation and ultimate scheme designation, my life seems simpler now. When I go into a store, I don’t waste time at racks of clothing not in my color scheme. I only go to where I see my colors. No more am I buying clothes that once you put them on just don’t seem right somehow next to your skin. And when those sales girls of 12 (aren’t they all 12?) come bouncing up to me wanting to put me in pink capris and tight knit sweaters I can confidently turn on them without malice and note they are just not in my colors. This saves a lot of hurt feelings on both sides, believe me.
Butch Tip #16
Know your colors, know your fabrics. That’s what my wife says all the time. And when you pack things for traveling, don’t worry about mixing and matching with your mate. Chances are you are two different color schemes and can easily pick out your stuff from hers. But probably most important to remember, once you know your colors, you will never make the mistake again of buying her the wrong piece of clothing at least due to color. Staying in her palette is a winning combination on a lot of fronts….I’m just sayin’.
Julie Butch Wife Extraordinaire-in-Training
Julie
lindageb
You learned well – I’m proud!
Great teacher!!
j