Chapter 5: How To Find Your Colors

Welcome to the fifth edition of Behind The Drapes—your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about uncovering who you are and expressing that with confidence and joy. Whether you're a longtime color enthusiast or just beginning your style journey, I’m so glad you’re here.

🏡 Studio Updates

✨ GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE! You can now purchase Gift Certificates on the website! Here’s some directions on how you can purchase Gift Certificates

1. Head to my website www.myauthenticcolors.com

2. Click on the Top Right Hand Corner and click on “Color Analysis Consultations”

3. Click on “Book an In-Person Color Analysis Consultation”

4. Scroll to the bottom where you will find Gift Certificates under “Products & Packages”

We only have Gift Certificates for the full amount of our Full 3 Hour and Mini (60) minute Color Analysis Consultations at this time.

We had so much fun at our last few events! Thank you so much to RoyalT, Amore Boutique and SkinSpot for hosting us. Interested in working with us? Send us an email at info@myauthenticcolors.com

The Scavenger Hunt was a great success, thank you to all who participated!

✨ MINI Appointments: Did you know that I started offering 60-minute Consultations every Tuesday and Friday based on your requests? More time, more insights, more YOU.

📅 Upcoming Events

Here’s where you can catch me next—and yes, I’m bringing the full-color energy:

🧖‍♀️ Diversity Consignment
📍 Jamaica Plain, MA | 🗓️ June 14th | ⏰ 12PM–6PM

👗 Gloria & Co Pop-Up
📍 Marion, MA | 🗓️ June 20th | ⏰ 12PM–6PM

🧖‍♀️ Pretty Boutique MedSpa Grand Opening
📍 Westport, MA | 🗓️ June 21st | ⏰ 3PM–7PM

📚 Books & Bulldogs Market Pop-Up
📍 Norwood, MA | 🗓️ June 28th | ⏰ 10AM–5PM

🧖‍♀️ Summer Jam Pop Up at Westend Grill
📍 New Bedford, MA | 🗓️ July 12th | ⏰ 3PM–7PM

Community Perk: As part of my vibrant community, you can book a 30-minute Color Analysis Consultation for 20% off with a special discount code “BTD20”—for any of my 30-minute Color Analysis Pop-Ups! Physical Products included in my 3-hour Consultation are not included in my Mini Appointments and can be purchased separately.

Don’t miss your chance to get draped and dazzled at a discount!

Today’s Topic: How to Find Your Colors When They’re Hard to Find in Stores

Let’s be real—finding clothes in your authentic colors can sometimes feel like an impossible task. You’ve invested in a color analysis (yay!), you’ve got your swatch wallet in hand, and now you’re ready to build a wardrobe that finally feels like you. But then you walk into a store—or scroll through your favorite site—and… crickets. Where are all your colors?

Don’t panic. Just because your authentic colors aren’t always front and center in stores doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. With a little strategy (and a lot less frustration), you can find clothes that make you feel confident. Here are some of my go-to tips and tricks for hunting down your colors—even when it feels like they’ve disappeared.

1. Use Your Swatch Wallet Like a Compass

Your swatch wallet isn’t just a bunch of pretty fabric squares—it’s your style GPS. This is what you received during your full color analysis consultation, and it’s the most powerful tool you have when shopping. Why? Because it helps train your eye to recognize your authentic colors in real life whether you are shopping in-person or online.

Here’s how to use it:

• Bring it with you everywhere. Seriously, toss it in your bag. When you’re shopping, hold a garment up to your swatches and look for harmony—not just a perfect match.

• Don’t stress if the color doesn’t match exactly. If it blends beautifully with several of your swatches and doesn’t clash, it’s probably a yes!

• Use your wallet to remind yourself what not to buy. If a color makes your swatches look dull, gray, or muddy, it’s probably going to do the same to your skin.

Once you get comfortable using your swatch wallet, it becomes second nature—and shopping gets way easier.

2. Master the Search Bar

When shopping online, don’t just type “blue top” and hope for the best. The real secret? Type in the names of the colors inside of your swatch wallet. “Rosewood,” “Cobalt,” “Butter Yellow” “Taupe”—these are all ways to narrow in on your palette.

Try combining your season and color keyword with an item you’re looking for:
Example: “Olive Green Blouse” or “Dusty Pink Sweater.”

Another fabulous tip is to use the website shopstyle.com. This website not only can help narrow down on findind your authentic colors, but will introduce you to a variety of brands that you may not have thought otherwise.

3. Dye It Yourself (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Sometimes, you find the perfect item of clothing in your wardrobe—great cut, great fit, terrible color. Don’t walk away just yet. If it’s made from natural fibers (cotton, silk, rayon, linen), you can dye it to match your palette. Brands like RIT and Dylon offer at-home kits that are easy to use and come in a wide range of colors. You can even custom mix to get closer to your swatches.

Bonus: If you're crafty, consider dip-dye or tie-dye techniques to create something unique and on-palette.

4. Thrift Like a Color Detective

Thrift and vintage stores are gold mines for finding unique, unexpected colors that current trends aren’t offering. Plus, older collections often included a wider variety of colors compared to today’s ultra-minimal palettes. Use apps like Poshmark, eBay, and Depop to search by color and brand. You’ll be surprised what turns up! Shopping secondhand is also a great way to experiment with new colors in your palette without spending a lot.

5. Go Custom (Yes, You Can!)

If you’re struggling to find your colors off the rack, consider made-to-order or customizable pieces. Many small businesses and Etsy shops will let you choose from a wide range of fabrics and colors. This is especially great for wardrobe staples or special occasion outfits where you want to feel completely in your element. Some slow fashion brands offer seasonal pre-orders in custom colors—don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if they can work with your authentic colors!

Finding your colors when they’re hard to find in stores can feel frustrating, but it’s not impossible—and it’s so worth it. Once you start building a wardrobe filled with the colors that flatter you and make you feel radiant, you’ll never want to go back. So keep your swatch wallet close, get a little creative, and remember: the perfect pieces are out there—you just need the guidance to find them.

💖 Swatch This/Scratch That

Welcome to the rebrand of Loving vs. Not Loving now called Swatch This / Scratch That. I’ve been wanting to rebrand this section for a bit but could not for the life of me think of a name…until now. So welcome to this week’s Swatch This / Scratch That - your weekly scroll through the glossy, the gaudy, and everything in between. I’m serving a mood board of what’s making the cut… and what’s getting cut out. Let’s dive in.

Swatch This:

Brands Not Catering to the Majority.
This might ruffle some feathers and I might do an entire blog post dedicated to this topic alone. But in my opinion, I do not believe that every single brand needs to be catered to you. There is a clothing brand for every body shape, color palette, and style personality. I love seeing brands that know who their audience is and what clientele they are looking to gain. When brands start to water down their messaging to cater to everybody, they end up serving nobody. Think of this like any other type of business out their on the market, it may not be your vibe and thats ok!

Color being back on the forefront of fashion.
The sad beige era is slowly but surely coming to an end. Don’t get me wrong, neutrals have their time and place always. But what I am enjoying is finally seeing people take an interest back into color. There is nothing in this world that color doesnt touch, point blank period! Clients of mine have expressed to me that they’re getting incredibly bored in their wardrobe by only seeing neutrals and want color back into their life. That, of course, makes me very happy.

Seeing clients put their color palettes into action.
I think this one is self explanatory.

Scratch That:

The Labubu Craze…
Why? Just why? They’re so creepy to me. Plus, the videos I’ve seen where people wait hours in line for a 20 dollar item. Insane!

Inconsistent Sizing across brands.
If women find it incredibly frustrating to find their size in clothing, trust me; men feel the pain too. Retail establishments cater to a specific clientele and body shape so please do not get frustrated or mad at yourself over this. But, what is incredibly annoying is that you can find let’s say a pair of jeans from a brand that fit you like a glove. Then, you get the same exact pair of jeans in a different wash and they fit differently, even though they are the same size as the first pair. I know sizing varys from brand to brand, but for the same item of clothing, can we make it consistent across the board?? Thanks.

Paper Cups or Straws for Beverages.
Y’all, this gets on my damn nerves every single time! Why on earth would you give me a paper straw to sip out of but yet hand my beverage in plastic? Are we really saving the turtles by eliminating the plastic straws only? Doesn’t make sense.

🎨 The Color Connection

This week, we’re stepping into the most vibrant and unapologetically warm hue on the color wheel—orange. If red commands attention, orange radiates joy, energy, and creativity. And here’s what makes orange truly unique: unlike red, it has no cool version. Orange is the warmest color in the spectrum—full stop.

That also means: not everyone can wear it well. For truly cool-toned seasons like True Summer, True Winter, and the Cool Palette Flows, orange is always a mismatch. But for very warm-toned palettes and some neutral-warm seasons, orange can become a signature color.

Let’s embrace orange not as a wildcard—but as a radiant, warm color that belongs in the right palette. 🍊

🎨 Color Theory: Orange

• Secondary Color: Formed from red and yellow—no blue involved, meaning it can never be cool.

• Warm Color: The warmest color in the spectrum, associated with heat, vitality, and enthusiasm.

• Color Temperature: Visually advancing and intense—perfect for high-energy compositions.

• Complementary Color: Blue. When paired together, they create a dynamic and high-contrast effect.

• Tint (Orange + White): Peach, apricot—sunny and light.

• Shade (Orange + Black): Burnt orange, terracotta—deep and earthy.

• Tone (Orange + Gray): Dusty peach, muted coral—still warm but softened.

🧠 Psychology of Orange

Emotional Associations:

• Optimism, Joy & Energy: Fun, active, and expressive.

• Creativity & Conversation: Sparks enthusiasm and interaction.

• Alertness: Common in safety gear and signage due to visibility.

Physiological Effects:

• Stimulates appetite and mood.

• Adds warmth and energy to surroundings.

Cultural Significance:

• India & Buddhism: Spiritual and sacred (e.g., saffron robes).

• Western Cultures: Linked to autumn, harvest, and warmth.

• The Netherlands: National color of celebration.

Marketing & Branding:

• Seen in bold, energetic brands (e.g., Fanta, Nickelodeon).

• Common in food, children’s media, and fitness for its vibrancy.

🌈 What’s Every Season’s Best Orange?

Let’s get honest: not every season was meant for orange. Here’s who can rock it—and who should pass.

✅ Seasons That Shine in Orange:

• True Spring: Apricot – clear, playful, and radiant.

• True Autumn: Burnt Orange – earthy, spicy, and grounded.

• Warm Palettes (Spring/Autumn): Golden Marigold, Pumpkin, Persimmon – classic warm oranges.

• Bright Spring: Tangerine – zesty and vibrant with high clarity.

• Soft Autumn: Dusty Papaya, Muted Peach – mellow and sun-faded.

• Deep Autumn: Spiced Rust, Copper Orange – rich, warm, and intense.

🚫 Seasons That Should Avoid Orange:

• True Winter ❌ – Dominated by cool, icy hues. Orange clashes sharply.

• True Summer ❌ – Muted and cool; orange feels out of place.

• Cool Palettes (Summer/Winter) ❌ – No room for orange’s heat or brightness.

• Light Summer ❌ – Cool and delicate; orange will overpower. While you have some elements of Spring, I would not make this a staple in your wardrobe.

• Soft Summer ❌ – Subdued and neutral cool in undertone; orange appears harsh.

• Deep Winter ❌ – Though deep and flows into a warmer season, this season is rooted in cool tones.

• Bright Winter ❌ – While high-chroma, this neutral-cool season leans icy and contrasted; orange is often too warm. Some vibrant coral-pinks may flirt with orange territory—but pure orange is still too hot to handle. IF you’re going to wear an orange, go for something in the Neon category.

Orange isn’t for everyone—and that’s part of its charm. For the right seasons, it’s radiant. For others, it’s best admired from afar (or swapped for a cooler coral or berry).

Next in our rainbow series in The Color Connection: Yellow—sunny, sharp, and surprisingly complex to get just right.

💸 Discount of the Week

🎉 Discount Code: ORANGE JUICED
$65 OFF your consultation.

Because your color journey should be as zesty and refreshing as your wardrobe. 🍊✨
Valid through June 15th 2025 at 11:59pm EST

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Thanks for spending time Behind The Drapes. I’ve got so much more in store, and I want your input! Do you have a burning-style question? A favorite color combo? A topic you’d love me to cover next? Email me your ideas at info@myauthenticcolors.com—I’m all ears (and full spectrum lighting).

If you haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, this is where I hang out the most! I’m pretty cool on there if I say so myself.

Until next time, keep shining in your authentic colors. 🌈

With color and care,
Mac Carvalho
CEO, My Authentic Colors