Improvability Blog

In my article, ‘You are not a lump of meat!‘, Silburga had just received her Seasonal Drape Starter Set containing 60 drapes. We also provide a Tonal Drape Starter Set with 90 drapes. Here’s a bit of background information to help you understand the discussion that Silburga and I were having.

If you’re just starting out, it’s a real pain in the proverbial trying to fathom out which drapes you might need and which you might not, so we have attempted to save you loads of time by creating two drapes sets that do the job beautifully:

1. one set for purely tonal work
2. one set for purely seasonal work

and if you provide both seasonal & tonal services, then you can choose one or the other.

You do not need both sets.

Each drape set contains a carefully selected number of reds, yellows, blues, greens, and purples, plus lightest and darkest neutrals. Over 30 years of experience have gone into the selections.

Both sets work and this allows you to start draping your clients with confidence, learning as you go. You can always add other drapes to your collection later on.

The tonal set contains 42 drapes that are already included in the seasonal set.  You do not need both sets.

Drape notations

• Each drape carries a label which shows the name of the hue, shade, tone or tint and its number – the number is for ordering purposes only
• Each drape suggests* which season could safely wear that colour: Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter
• Each drape also suggests* which tonal direction could safely wear that colour:
• LT = Light
• DK = Dark / Deep
• BT = Bright / Clear
• MT = Muted
• C = Cool
• W = Warm

* Please note the use of the word ‘suggests‘. When you read my article you will learn, realise, or remember (depending on who you trained with) that the information written on these labels is meant TO GUIDE YOU ONLY. If you’ve been following this information blindly up to now, then stop it right now!

Every single drape carries a label with suggestions for both seasonal and tonal directions. Each of the two sets above can be used for both seasonal and tonal draping.

You do not need both sets!

1. Seasonal starter set

We have simply selected a total of 60 drapes (15 for each of the 4 seasons) in the Seasonal set that will allow you to conduct Spring vs. Autumn comparisons, Spring vs. Winter comparisons, and Spring vs. Summer comparisons easily (plus all the other permutations, of course).

But you will just as easily be able to pick out comparison drapes to select or compare the correct tones as well.

2. Tonal starter set

The same goes for the Tonal set, where we have selected a total of 90 drapes (15 for each of the 6 tones); it will be simple to compare Deep vs. Light, Cool vs. Warm, Bright vs. Muted.

But you will just as easily be able to pick out seasonal comparison drapes if you want to.

The seasonal set contains 42 drapes that
are already included in the tonal set

You do not need both sets!

• If you intend to work with the tonal method, then choose the tonal set with 90 drapes
• If you intend to work with the seasonal method, then choose the seasonal set with 60 drapes
• If you intend to work with both methods, then the choice is up to you – do you want 60 drapes or 90 drapes to choose from?

I suggest you check the contents of each set to help you make your mind up. This is your business; only YOU know what you will be happy to work with.

Transparent drape case

Consider adding a transparent drape case to your order for you to fold and carry your drapes in. One case holds 60 standard drapes. You’ll need two cases to hold 90 drapes.

You’ll find all of these – and much more – in our online wholesale catalogue

PS. Have I said this enough times to convince you? You do NOT need both sets!

All our colour analysis drapes are rectangles of material, folded into 4. This allows for those consultants who wish to layer several smaller pieces of material together on one shoulder.

And for those, like me, who prefer to open each drape out from shoulder to shoulder, just cut a neckline out with a pair of pinking shears. 

Open the drape to 2 folds and cut a small triangle out from the folded edge, like this (image right)

That way, several drapes layered one on top of the other sit easily around the client’s neck without bunching up. This makes it so much more comfortable for your client.

Added value

You will be left with little triangles of material from each drape and I have found those really useful over the years to cut up into even smaller pieces to give to a client when, perhaps, that particular shade isn’t in the wallet I have recommended and, yet, I think she would look gorgeous in it.

This is wonderful added value to your already great service as it makes each client feel special.

I wish someone had told me about cutting out a neck like this before I started chopping bits off the bottom of most of my most popular drapes…!

More of my tips on how to use the drapes are available in the wholesale catalogue