Do you remember the “Discover Your Season” fashion craze of
the 1970’s? For those who don’t or for
those who need a refresher, this fad seemed quite logical – at the time. Here’s how it worked - for a small fee, you
could have a consultation with a fashion “expert” who would determine your “season”
based on the color of your eyes, hair and skin tone. Through this highly scientific fashion
process, it would then be determined if you were a “winter, spring, summer or
fall” season. After forking over some additional
cash, you would then be supplied with a color swatch sample for your respective
season. This swatch sample had 24
colorful fabric squares glued to it, just big enough to make you look like an
idiot when you pulled it out of your purse at the department store to verify if
the shade of blue on that blouse you loved was indeed a correct match on your
season color swatch chart.
When I was 13 years old, my mom thought it would be a
wonderful idea to drag me to one of these consultations. I knew this was going to be an “old lady” gathering…
and I protested in the car the entire way there. When we arrived, I did a quick scan of the
room. I mentally took inventory and noted
that my mother and I were the only ones in the room who did not have blue
hair. A room full of old ladies, just as
I had predicted! I gave my mom a look of
utter disgust, along with an “I told you so” eye roll. She smiled sweetly and directed me to the
table, by the lobe of my ear. Our blue
haired hostess explained that we would be starting shortly and instructed the
group to help ourselves to some refreshments.
I found salvation in a bowl of butter mints. While I was busy arranging my mints according
to color in the palm of my hand, the fashion expert arrived, fashionably late
of course, and made her way to the middle of the room. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. She was beautiful, dressed from head to toe
in bright, jewel tones. Best of all, she
didn’t have blue hair. If she looked
this good, maybe this “Discover Your Season” stuff wasn’t half-bad. From that moment on, she had my full
attention.
For the next two hours, I learned what I had already known
all of my life…I had hazel eyes, brown hair and an olive tone to my face. Well, I didn’t know about the olive tone – at
13 years of age, I only knew two things regarding my face… it was either clean,
or it needed washing. Regardless, I was
mesmerized by this incredible information.
Based on my hair, eye, and skin color through this highly scientific fashion
process, the expert determined that I was a special kind of creature… I was what they called in the “Discover Your
Season” fashion circles, a “Cross Over” – meaning I was so unique and
extraordinary; I actually had TWO seasons!
That’s right; I was a WINTER and a SPRING! Upon learning this very important fact, I was
issued not one – but TWO – color swatch sample cards, one for winter and one
for spring. The fashion expert looked at
my face for quite some time and then asked for my spring color swatch sample
card. Upon handing it to her, she
removed two color swatch samples from my card and handed it back to me. I stared at the blank spaces, horrified. WHY?
Why would she do this…? I could
feel my face get hot. Tears began to
well up in my eyes. Realizing my fragile
state, the fashion expert comforted me and explained that an exquisite specimen
like me should never wear any shade of yellow. Ever. She
went on to explain that any shade of yellow would “wash me out” and make me
look ill. Hmmm. This information could prove to be very
valuable later… say, if there was a math exam or a history test in my academic
future. I made a mental note, I would be
sure to ask for a new yellow blouse each Christmas for the rest of my life.
While the other women anxiously waited to learn their
fashion fate, I sat in my chair, swinging my legs back and forth. I popped butter mints into my mouth, one by
one, allowing them to melt on my tongue before swallowing them. As I examined my seasons, I began to realize
that many of my favorite colors were not on my color swatch cards. I looked over at the blue haired lady sitting
next to me. Thanks to her Italian
heritage, she was assigned to the fall season.
I looked longingly at her earthy tone color swatches… forest green,
chestnut brown, burnt orange and shimmering gold. I hung my head. “I’m a Winter/Spring but my favorite color is
October,” I said, woefully, under my breath.
There was no hope for me in this (fashion) world.
After everyone had received their appropriate season and a color
swatch card, they cheerfully said their good-byes and ventured off into the
world to try to dress accordingly. As
for me, I became a fashion rebel and decided from that day forward I would
dress in whatever color I wanted… winter, spring, summer AND fall! That same day I also swore to myself that I
would never have blue hair, but I reckon that’s a story for another time.
