Just like the fit, color plays a crucial role in determining whether an outfit looks attractive or not. If you’ve been overlooking this aspect, it’s time to rethink your approach. In the Middle Ages, when dyeing fabrics was still basic, vibrant colors like purple, red, and orange were exclusive to the wealthy and powerful. Wearing a bright purple cloak was akin to flaunting a Rolex or carrying an LV bag today.
Nowadays, flashy clothes don’t signify much and might even make the wearer seem "showy." The key now is to choose colors that are appropriate for your hair color, skin tone, personal preferences, and the occasion. In short, opt for colors that make you feel comfortable and don’t offend the eyes of those around you. So, how do you achieve this?
Stock Up on Neutral Colors
To paint a colorful picture, you first need a white canvas. Similarly, in dressing, black, white, and gray tones form the base you need to build upon. Many people also add beige and navy blue to their neutral palette due to their undeniable versatility.
Neutral tones are always ready to pair with each other and with many other colors.
They blend seamlessly, helping balance and tone down any loud colors in your outfit. T-shirts, shirts, chinos, and trousers in neutral tones will be the enduring heroes in your wardrobe!
Find Your Perfect Color Palette
Colors don’t look good on everyone. So, don’t be swayed by trendy, fashionable colors. Instead, find a suitable palette based on your skin tone, complexion, hair color, and eye color.
If you have a pale complexion, bright colors will only make things worse, making you look washed out and lifeless. In this case, darker, more muted tones are your best bet.
Forget the theory for a moment to avoid getting a headache. A simpler way is to identify the colors you like. If you’re unsure, lay your clothes out on the bed and discard the ones you rarely wear. Now, see which tones are most prevalent? Which items make you feel extra confident when you wear them?
The next step is to place them next to each other and see if anything is missing. Can you add another color and still be satisfied? Hopefully, after some consideration, you’ll end up with a color set that you’re happy with, ideally around 3-4 colors. This practice is like summarizing your wardrobe; it helps you know what you have so that your next shopping spree is more purposeful.
Tonal Color Combinations
"Tonal" refers to the method of coordinating two different shades of the same base color in an outfit (for example, pairing a light blue shirt with navy blue trousers). This color coordination method is straightforward yet effective because, logically, colors with the same base blend together effortlessly. However, the drawback of tonal pairing is the lack of contrast.
Contrasting Color Combinations
To show your sophistication with colors, there’s nothing better than playing with them to create eye-catching contrasts. It doesn’t have to be glaring; subtle contrasts can be just as effective. Let one color take the lead, with the other serving as a support or background. For example, pairing a navy suit with a light brown sweater, complemented by shoes in a darker shade of brown.
Creating convincing contrasts in your outfit requires experience, much like seasoning a dish. After a few trials, you’ll achieve a balanced "flavor."
Seasonal Color Changes
It would be remiss not to mention the influence of weather on color choices. This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your wardrobe with every season but rather adjust your daily outfit’s color palette to suit the weather. The reason people tend to wear darker colors in winter and lighter ones in summer is that darker colors absorb warmth and light, while lighter colors reflect it, helping the wearer feel cooler.
If your preferred palette includes navy, red, brown, and beige, consider wearing beige and red more in summer and reserving navy and brown for winter.
Commentaires