Are you looking for inspiration and tips on how to wear color? Below we have the ultimate guide to help you get started on brightening up your looks!
As someone who personally has had only black, white, and neutrals in my closet for the majority of my life, I have recently gotten the urge to brighten things up. Wearing color can be intimidating. Luckily there is an easy solution, it is called color theory. Color theory is an easy way to know which colors to pair. I’ve broken down the basics for you below to get started experimenting with a variety of colors and looks ASAP.
This post is all about how to wear color.
The Best Tips On How To Wear Color
How To Wear Bright Colors
First, understanding the foundational principles of color theory is key. Essentially, it boils down to the logical structure of color and the strategic ways in which you can accentuate one color by pairing it with another. More on that below!
What is color theory?
Color theory has been around for a long time. If you are a fashion lover, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have some useful background knowledge on the subject. It’s always best to know the rules before deciding to break them.
Color theory is comprised of three distinctive categories: color harmony, the color wheel, and the context of how colors are used.
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1. Color Harmony
Blending colors creates a sense of visual order, balance, and, harmony. Basically, it is an equilibrium between too much and too little. The ideal combination of color is one where the final result is not too bland and not over-stimulating. Remember, the human brain is wired to reject under-stimulating information and information that is either too chaotic or disorganized to understand, making color harmony a very vital aspect when it comes to fashion world success.
2. The Color Wheel
Traditionally used in the field of art, the color wheel is a legitimate color circle using the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue. These colors are pigments that cannot be formed or mixed with any other color combination. Secondary colors consist of green, orange, and purple which are formed by intertwining the primary colors. The tertiary color wheel features yellow: orange, red: orange, red: purple, blue: purple, blue: green, and yellow: green. The tertiary color wheel is created by intertwining both the primary and the secondary colors, which is why these hues possess two-word names.
I actually purchased a physical color wheel to have at home which helped me A LOT. Here is the color wheel I purchased off of Amazon.
3. The Context Of The Colors
With that as the color base, now how do we apply these concepts to real life? There are numerous formulas for color theory (more discussed in the next section). Some of the more renowned ones include developing a color scheme based on analogous colors, complementary colors, and using color schemes based on nature rather than the wheel itself.
Artists, designers, and fashionistas leverage the power of color theory in fashion. When executed strategically, it can undoubtedly provoke invested attraction, influence mood, and can even communicate your style/taste without speaking any words. For those who are eager to step up your fashion game by using color theory in fashion, have the peace of mind that it is not nearly as challenging as it may sound.
As a quick recap, primary colors consist of red, yellow, and blue, secondary colors are mixes of those primary colors, and tertiary colors are a blend of primary and secondary colors
How To Style Bright Colors
Understanding color theory can sound a bit overwhelming on the surface. Between bold complementary colors and monochromatic formulas, it can feel like a task that only fashion elites can master. However, that is far from the case. Creating outfits using color theory is not as difficult as it may seem.
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4. Start With Analogous Colors
Start with one basic concept and work your way up to the more intricate ones. Analogous colors are colors that are right next to each other on the color wheel. This makes creating color harmony easier. Pick a color that feels comfortable, and apply the next color to create an outfit. For instance, if you choose blue, this falls between teal and violet. Therefore, choose either side to create a visually appealing look.
5. Embrace Complementary Colors
One way to get started on creating outfits using color theory is to understand how opposites attract. Start choosing pieces that are on the opposite side of the color wheel and blend them. Some good examples of this include forest green and burgundy, and chartreuse and fuchsia. Remember, the bolder you go with this, the more both colors will stand out.
6. Don’t Forget About Neutrals
Something to take note of is the power of neutral colors. As you may already be aware, neutral colors like white, black, and blues can go well with almost anything. These colors serve as an ideal base to adorn with brighter colors. Remember, color theory does not always have to be about combining bold colors, don’t be afraid to add neutrals. Another great neutral is blue denim, which can pair nicely with both light and dark tops.
7. Keep It Simple
The ultimate goal of understanding color theory and applying color theory in fashion is finding balance. Without a doubt, fashion and color theory is being able to select different color combinations that express your style. In essence, the best way to succeed is to simplify your approach as much as possible. Basically, the more colors you use, the more complicated your outfit will appear and the less balance you will have. However, don’t hesitate to play with contrasting colors and temperatures to nail down your perfected look. Just be sure not to overdo it in such a way that makes your outfit look more distracting than appealing. Be yourself in the process and have fun with it!
Staying within the parameters of color theory is an important stepping stone in discovering what you like. Are ready to plan some outfits? We definitely think so.
This post was all about how to wear color.
