Over the years, I have witnessed so many consultants faff about, wasting valuable time and energy worrying about which ruddy drapes and swatches to use.
Colour analysis is never about which drapes, swatches, make-up, etc. to use or what colour to paint your studio…
… and all the other brilliant distraction techniques we can all think up to stop us getting on with what is truly important.
Colour analysis is about talking with, listening to, encouraging, and supporting our clients.
And you don’t need a single physical prop to be able to do any of that.
But let’s address the question of which size drapes to use so that you can make a considered decision, order what you need, and then you’re ready to focus on what’s important – to start practising your colour skills on some real clients.
Two sizes of drapes are available
- Standard drape 28 x 48cm (11×19 ins)
- Large drape 48 x 56cm (19×22 ins)
The men’s fabrics are available only in the standard drape size
Click here for details of fabric, sizes, full list of available colours, drape notations, colour matching, and how to order
I use the standard-size drapes
You will only ever see me using standard-size drapes in all my colour analysis training courses.
I cover my client’s clothes with a cover-up cape and use the standard-size drapes over the top.
Only you can decide if this would work for you.
Due to popular demand, I put together a starter set of all the props I use myself in the training courses so that you can order with one click:
- look for the Improvability Colour Analysis Starter Set which contains standard-size drapes. Full details here
As detailed in our wholesale catalogue of colour supplies at trade prices, all our colour analysis starter sets, including the Improvability Colour Analysis Starter Set, contain standard-size drapes.
If you prefer large drapes:
- We do NOT provide a one-click option for any set with large drapes
- For instance, if you want the same content as the Improvability Starter Set but with large drapes instead of standard ones, you need to itemise everything separately in your order
Why I don’t use large-size drapes
I have no idea how consultants or clients cope with the huge amount of fabric in the large drapes, but that’s simply my personal opinion.
The last time I used them was when I was creating the new colour analysis training for Wella UK when I seemed to spend more time re-arranging the vast swathes of fabric than doing a diagnosis.
Quite a few of the hairstylists said they felt overwhelmed by the amount and weight of the fabric.
I agree. They used me as a volunteer and I threw the drapes off because it made me feel claustrophobic and like being restrained in a straight-jacket.
So if you are going to invest in large drapes, you might have to consider folding them in two for clients like me, because:
- Colour analysis is always, always about the client experience
- Before you order anything, consider how the client will feel whilst she’s being draped
I don’t understand why any consultant thinks they need to see the colour of the drape from the client’s knees upward!
- We should be focusing on the poor darling’s face!
If you’re considering the large drapes because you want to cover up all your client’s clothes, then why not simply use one humongous cover-up cape or a bath towel, and then put the standard drapes over the top of that?
- You’ll save loads of money as the large drapes are almost twice the price of the standard ones
The practicalities of different size drapes
How will you store your drapes?
- If you’re going to fold them up again after each consultation, you’ll need twice as many transparent drape cases if you use the large drapes
How will you display your drapes?
- If you lay them out on a table for each consultation, you will need to allow lots of extra room for when you open the large drapes out
Where will you find a drape stand that caters for large-size drapes?
- I had an email from a lady who had ordered the drape stand that we sell. She was very upset that her large-size drapes were dragging on the floor
- As we clearly display the dimensions of the drape stand in the wholesale catalogue, she should have measured up before ordering!
- So apart from having to go to all the trouble of returning the drape stand at her own expense and have a re-stocking fee deducted from the refund, she was still left with the major headache of how to display and store her large-size drapes
Business Tip – Do your due diligence!
This is your business and the props you decide to use are totally down to YOUR personal choice…
BEFORE you order anything:
- Check all the sizes and details of the products you are interested in
- Make sure you have considered all the practical implications
I strongly recommend that you read our Returns Policy
- The colour suppliers provide to the trade only so there is no concept of ‘sale or return’
- If you order something and then decide you don’t want it, this is covered under ‘Unwanted items’ in our Returns Policy and the colour suppliers will deduct a re-stock fee from any refund
When you click to place your order, you are stating that you agree to our Terms & Conditions. I suggest you actually read them before you order anything! It might save you loads of time, money, and energy.