Most guys don’t think twice about color. If the shirt fits, it’s fine, right? But the reality is: color can completely change the way you look and feel. The wrong shade makes you look tired or washed out. The right one makes you look sharper, healthier, and more confident.
Once you know your colors, you shop smarter, dress faster, and feel more confident in every setting.
That’s where color analysis comes in. And if you’re looking for men’s color analysis in Chicago, you can experience this in-person and walk away with tools that change how you shop and dress.
What Is a Color Analysis?
A professional color analysis is a process for figuring out which colors bring out your best features, so your wardrobe works with you instead of against you. Whether you’re buying a new suit in the Loop or a casual shirt in Wicker Park, knowing what colors work for you - your personal palette - makes the choice a lot easier.
Is Knowing Your “Seasonal Colors” the Same as a Color Analysis?
I remember seeing a copy of Color Me Beautiful on my Mom’s bookshelf. The book sold more than 13 million copies and spent seven years on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Knowing your seasonal colors in the 80’s was as popular as knowing your astrological sign! And for good reason. It’s truly helpful for people as they create a personal brand, in how they show up for work or that exciting first date, and for how confident you can feel. The seasonal colors of the 80’s have gotten an update – and I go deeper with my clients to help them feel more confident and look better.
“People don’t fit into just 4 categories or “seasons” anymore. These days, color analysis is not about being told what to wear. We are diverse, unique, complex - and each person needs to feel comfortable with what they put on their body! I work WITH my clients to determine their palette - it’s a collaborative process and the end result makes getting dressed every morning so much easier and efficient.”
- Edwards Buice
What to Expect in a Color Analysis Session
If you’ve never done one before, here’s how it works.
The first thing you need to know is that this is not a “one size fits all” process - certainly not the way I do it with my clients.
“This is YOUR journey. Personalized for you. It’s not just the formula. We spend time together and it’s built on your personality - your likes and dislikes. It’s less about “fashion rules” and more about understanding what enhances you. – Edwards Buice
-
Draping fabrics: The analyst places colored fabrics under your face in natural light to see how your skin, eyes, and features respond.
-
Undertone testing: Warm, cool, or neutral — this is the foundation for your palette.
-
Contrast & value: The relationship between your skin, hair, and eyes tells you whether you look best in light/dark, muted/bright, or somewhere in between.
-
Defining your palette: The end result is a set of colors that consistently make you look rested, vibrant, and put together.
- Getting and using your results: At the end of the session, I show you how to download the app that will house your custom results. You can use this when you go shopping to help you make decisions and save time in the dressing room.
As I mentioned above… It’s less about “fashion rules” and more about understanding what enhances you as a unique person.
It Starts With a Fun Little Exercise
When I meet with a client, we don’t start with fabric swatches right away. That tends to make people feel a bit intimidated. The whole experience should be fun! So we start with a simple exercise. I hand them a series of colors and ask a simple question:
“Pick four colors you like — besides black or white.”
It’s easy and playful, and it immediately gets people thinking about color in a way they usually don’t. Most men have never considered why they prefer one blue over another, or why they always grab navy but avoid green. This quick exercise loosens things up and helps me understand their instincts.
From there, we move into the classic process:
-
Draping different fabrics in natural light
-
Identifying undertones
-
Looking at contrast and value
- Building a personalized palette together
The key difference? I keep it collaborative. I don’t just hand you a list of “yes” and “no” colors. I explain what I’m seeing so you can start to spot it yourself when you’re shopping or getting dressed.
It’s all about you, your personality, and making you shine.
“The focus is YOU. They should see you first, and then the patterns and the colors you wear. The clothes and the color should be the supporting players. You are the star” - Edwards Buice
Do Colors Actually Change How You Feel?
Yes. Psychologists have studied color for decades:
-
Blue signals trust and calm.
-
Red shows energy and confidence.
-
Green feels balanced and approachable.
- Black conveys power but sometimes distance.
When the shades you wear also flatter your natural coloring, the effect doubles. You look better and you feel better — and people pick up on both. The color shouldn’t overwhelm you.
Do the Colors You Wear Change How Others Perceive You?
Yes. The right shades can make you look sharper, healthier, and more confident. They also help others focus on you instead of your clothes.
In a city like Chicago, where first impressions matter in business and social life, the right colors make you stand out in the right way.
First impressions are formed within 90 seconds. 90 seconds! And color plays an important role in what people think of you.
“The colors you choose aren’t just about aesthetics—they influence how others perceive you. Studies suggest that first impressions are formed within 90 seconds, and 62-90% of that judgment is based solely on color.
Using the right colors can project professionalism, trust, or energy depending on the message you want to convey.” - Lula Kiah, style expert, and founder of Style Innovators
Will Knowing My Colors Make Shopping Easier (Hint: It’s All in Your Pocket)
This is the part clients love most — because color analysis isn’t just an afternoon exercise. It’s something you can use for the rest of your life.
When you go shopping after your session, here’s what changes:
- You’ll know instantly which colors to ignore.
- You’ll recognize the shades that make you look great without having to second-guess.
- You’ll save time in the fitting room because you’re only trying on what works.
- You’ll save money by not purchasing items that gather dust in your closet because something “feels off”.
To make it even easier, I give my clients access to a color analysis app with their customized results. Think of it as your pocket palette. It keeps your personal color library handy, so whether you’re shopping in Chicago, online, or halfway around the world, you know exactly what to look for.
My clients love the ease of the app (no more lugging around big swatch books!) and there are different sections to help you with different things.
For instance, my personalized results in the app include:
-
My Color ID: includes coloring specific to me and details like intensity (such as muted), and contrast suggestions.
- Fabrics: fibers, textures, surface (like sheen, matte, satin, etc,)
- Suggestions for prints: for instance my results tell me, “you are most suited to nature-based designs, plants, and animals but rarely flowers”
- Ideas on how to wear black: “you do not have black in your range of colors. Charcoal is more flattering to your face, while black is best worn below the waist.”
- Black and white combo suggestions with photos - I personally loved this section of my results.
- Color insights tab: education on temperature, what is cool vs. warm colors, relative temperature, intensity, color confidence, contrast, color in business, bending rules, trouble with black, monochromatic, complementary, analogous color, etc.
- Best accessories: metals: “metals with a soft sheen/shine: rose gold, gold, copper”.
- Gemstone suggestions: turquoise, topaz, onyx, etc.
There’s even a “Universal Colors” tab: Colors that can be worn even if not in my specific range. When I saw this part, I felt relieved that there were guidelines for me to follow, and not harsh rules that the fashion police would point out. ;)
6 Benefits of a Color Analysis for Men
1. Saves time.
It makes shopping a lot easier. Instead of wasting an afternoon trying on 10 different shirts, you’ll be much more efficient and know instantly which 2 colors are worth taking to the fitting room.
2. Better return on investment.
You’ll buy fewer things but wear them more often. No more buying clothes that end up gathering dust because something feels “off.”
3. Instant confidence.
When you’re in the right colors, people notice you — not your clothes. You look sharper, healthier, and more put-together without trying harder. (“You are wearing the color, not the color wearing YOU.”)
4. Simplifies decisions.
It takes the guesswork out. You won’t be standing in front of your closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear,” when it’s actually, “I have the wrong stuff.”
5. Professional edge.
If you’re leading meetings, pitching, or networking, the right colors help you look awake, credible, and like you’ve got your act together — without saying a word.
6. Future-proofs your closet.
Your style might change, but your undertones don’t. Once you know your best colors, it’s a one-time thing you can use for the rest of your life.
Is Color Analysis Just for Women?
A common misconception. The truth? Men often benefit even more.
Men buy fewer clothes overall, which means:
- Each item needs to work harder.
-
Investment pieces (shirts, blazers, athleisure jackets) are important — better to get them right the first time.
- First impressions matter in business, dating, and daily life.
This isn’t about being “fashionable.” It’s about clarity and efficiency. Knowing your colors gives you confidence, and everyone needs that.
FAQs About Color Analysis For Men
How long does a session take?
About 90 minutes, including discussion, draping, and downloading the app for your results.
Do I need to prepare anything or wear anything special for my color analysis appointment?
Nope! Just wear something neutral near your face. Some clients bring a favorite shirt or tie to test, which can be fun.
Can I do a color analysis online?
Some stylists offer online versions, but in-person sessions with fabric draping are the most accurate.
How much does it cost?
Most sessions range from $250 and up, depending on the city and consultant. Keep in mind it saves money buying things that gather dust in your closet. And knowing your color palette is for life - do it once and that’s all you need! You can learn more on this page
Final Thoughts
Color analysis isn’t about limiting yourself. It’s about clarity. Once you know your colors, you shop smarter, dress faster, and feel more confident in every setting.
As I often tell my clients:
“Men don’t want to waste time figuring out what works — they want a system. Understanding your colors is the shortcut to that system.” - Edwards Buice
How to Book Your Color Analysis in Chicago (for Men)
Ready to see the difference the right colors make? Book a men’s color analysis session in Chicago today.