Matching colour: 10 fashion tips

1. You may love this season's fuchsia but does it love you? For a colour to look good it needs to complement your natural colouring - the combination of your hair colour, eye colour and skin tone.  

2. The easiest way to choose your colours when shopping is to hold each shade up to your face and see what affect you get. If the colour drains you and creates a dark shadow under your chin it's not for you. If the colour makes you look younger and enhances your eyes then it's a winner.

3. Do your research. Before you go shopping have a wardrobe check and pull out all the colours you know you always look and feel great in. You should see some of the same colours appear. If you are a slave to black or have just never been great at choosing colour, take time to shop around and try colours on then go back and buy later when you feel more confident about your choice.

4. Once you have decided on some colours you need to think about what matches. Mixing things up is even more derigeur this season so don't be afraid to try some unexpected colour combinations. Bold can go beautifully with bold, such as the pairing up of fuchsia and tangerine, two key colours for the season, perfect for those who like to make a statement.  

For a softer, but still colourful, effect take one ice-cream shade in mint and another in strawberry - it works better than using just one colour but is still subtle and feminine. Don't overdo this sugary look though; head to toe and accessories will look a little too girlie.  

5. Think carefully about the types of fabric you combine; soft floaty chiffons will give a more muted effect than satin and silks.  

6. Colour can also be worn tone on tone. This works particularly well for darker shades so you could combine grey with taupe and stone, or deep blue with cobalt and cornflower blue.  If you're less confident about experimenting with colour this is a safe way to do it.

7. Another important factor to consider is your personality. You may suit tangerine but if you're more classic or earthy in your tastes then a bright orange dress will terrify you. Don't force yourself into fashions that aren't ‘you', you want to feel good and confident in your choices.

8. If you need to dip your toe in colour before taking the plunge, then start with some accessories. Find at least two good shades for this season and invest in some chunky bangles, necklaces or scarves to get colour confident. If you're pretty confident then go for the shoes and a handbag too. If you're 100% sure, get the dress!

9. Still not sure how to mix your colours? Then look to Mother Nature for inspiration. Tropical pink and yellow look stunning mixed with khaki green. And think how fantastic vibrant blues look combined with deep pink or red.  

10. Instinct often tells us what looks right and what doesn't but sometimes we need a bit of expert help.  Having a colour consultation will show you exactly why some colours, or certain tones of colour, work for you and others don't. It will help you make better shopping decisions, saving time and money in the long run. 

You can also get lots of practical advice and more expert tips from the Colour Me Beautiful book, available to buy at www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk

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