Shades of Green - Warm or Cool?

So many shades of green - do you know the best one for you?

You don't have to worry about the neon brights on the fashion runways and you don't have to be Irish! There are so many fabulous shades of green and there's one that's just right for YOU! 

Identifying the best shade can, however, cause confusion so I'll try to simplify it. Any shade that echoes the undertone of your skin will look good on you.

Most people have a discernible undertone which makes it easy. If you don't know yours take a look HERE. 

What is Green?

The 3 primary colors are Red, Yellow and Blue - these are pure colors with complete clarity. Yellow (like the sun) has always been referred to as a WARM color. Blue (like the seas) has always been referred to as a COOL color. 

When those 3 primary colors are blended together we get 3 secondary colors - Orange, Violet and GREEN. 

Red + Blue = Violet      Red + Yellow = Orange

Yellow + Blue = GREEN

How Green is blended from Yellow and Blue

So GREEN is a mix of Yellow and Blue - consequently a mix of both WARM and COOL. Right in the middle, an equal mix of Yellow and Blue, is TRUE GREEN.  

As the colors move away from True Green they become closer to and influenced by either Yellow or Blue which gives them a WARM or COOL influence or undertone. 

Shades of Green for the 4 Seasons

Garments from Kettlewell Colors range of 150+ colors

When a little white is added it takes the shades of green lighter and when grey or black is added it makes them deeper. Now we have the four extremes of Green which relate to the 4 Seasons of Color Analysis - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. 

Although I've highlighted just a few, there are lots of different shades of green within each color palette giving lots of choice once you've found the undertone. 

How green can work in an outfit

Click to see items from Kettlewell Colours

Click to see items from Kettlewell Colours

Click to see items from Kettlewell Colours

Click to see items from Kettlewell Colours

Or just Warm and Cool...

Let's make it easy! The Warm swatch includes some Spring and Autumn shades; and the Cool swatch includes some Summer and Winter shades. Use your Color Swatch as a 'blending tool' on fabric or garment and see whether the colors 'sit' happily together.