Have you ever stood in front of your closet unsure where to begin, reaching for familiar pieces when you crave something more expressive? Many of us long to dress in a way that reflects who we are: confident, vibrant and uniquely ourselves.
The secret is color theory. Discovering your ideal color palette creates harmony between your clothing and natural features. The right shades can instantly brighten your complexion, make your eyes pop and elevate your entire presence, while cutting through decision fatigue to turn getting dressed into a joyful experience. When your wardrobe works with you, confidence follows naturally.
Meet Laura Tappan, an experienced strategic image and professional presence consultant and the owner of Chic, Fab, and Authentically You. Tappan specializes in color theory consultations to guide clients toward the perfect palette. She then reviews what is already hanging in their closets to help them evolve their style by restyling beloved pieces and, when needed, shopping for the right new additions. She also shows how to pair favorite comfort pieces with palette hues for a vibrant blend.
Tappan's journey began in August 2020, driven by a deep yearning to express herself more fully through fashion. Her love for helping people feel their best drew her to the intricacies of color theory. She advanced her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), became a certified image consultant and color analyst, and now channels her passion into every session.
Her work is fueled by what it means for people to wear colors that bring them confidence. Colors like blue, for instance, convey reliability and trustworthiness, helping Tappan tailor her approach to each client’s lifestyle and professional presence. With a background as a personal trainer and pastry chef—two worlds centered on making people feel good—image consulting feels like a natural extension.
As fashion transitions from summer to fall, Tappan teaches clients that color palettes are seasonless. While some naturally lean toward lighter shades in summer and deeper tones in winter, she emphasizes that colors can be worn year-round when styled thoughtfully.
"You have a dark chocolate brown satin midi skirt, you can wear that in the winter with a sweater, a pair of boots, a nice big suede leather tote bag, and have that in the colder months," Tappan said. "Come spring and summer, that same skirt perhaps with a nice short sleeve sweater, professionally, and a pair of heels and you can go to the office, maybe accessorize with a belt."
By making pieces seasonless, clients build a versatile wardrobe without chasing every trend. Instead, Tappan advises embracing trends playfully through a nail polish, shoe or handbag. A silk scarf, for example, can be tied on a belt loop, wrapped around a handbag handle or used as a headband to instantly liven up a look.
A typical color analysis session begins with a 30-minute strategic image consultation, followed by a questionnaire. Then comes an in-home draping process where Tappan assesses undertones, determines warm or cool tones, and identifies the perfect season and subseasons. This foundation leads into a full wardrobe edit, helping clients navigate their closets.
If a piece loved in the store no longer feels right at home, Tappan suggests pairing it with other colors in your palette to balance it out.
"If you have a favorite sweater that is not in your color palette you can still wear it," Tappan said. "A cool undertone will align more with a pure white than with an ivory, however if they have the most fabulous ivory sweater, perfect. Let’s wear a white button-down underneath it with a collar and some silver jewelry or a navy blue is also great with a cool undertone, and let’s wear that sweater!"
Tappan believes there is always a way to make a color work, utilizing a "purger, prize and repurpose" approach to help clients release what no longer serves them and reimagine favorites into fresh looks.
One client transformed a rarely worn green floral dress by pairing it with sneakers and a crossbody bag for an effortless everyday look. Another client softened a luxurious white suit jacket with dark denim, a solid tee and white trainers, maintaining his "boss" energy while appearing more approachable for a new role.
Tappan encourages sustainable wardrobe updates by shopping your own closet first, challenging clients to create two new outfits each week using their palette. In a world that often defaults to neutrals and black, Tappan celebrates the power of color because, as she says, "color is the first thing people notice about you!"
Her own childhood favorite was carnation pink, and it still is. If you are drawn to certain shades, there is a reason. So, what color will you be wearing this week?
To discover your ideal color palette and learn more about transforming your wardrobe, visit chicfabandauthentic.com.
"Color is the first thing people notice about you!"—Laura Tappan
"If you have a favorite sweater that is not in your color palette, you can still wear it... there is always a way to wear a color."—Laura Tappan