How To Appropriately Color Block
By now you’ve probably seen and heard plenty of the term color blocking. This is a trend that can be overdone and can easily become a fashion don’t. Don’t worry, I’m here to give you some simple guidelines to help you appropriately color block.
First, the term color blocking refers to creating an outfit that combines contrasting yet complementary colors. Usually the combination of colors is bold and bright.
One thing to always remember with fashion trends is that you don’t have utilize every trend. Not every trend works on every person. Choose what works the best for your taste and your body type.
If you want to start this trend in a subtle way, then you can try with a skirt, shorts, or pair of jeans that are a bolder/brighter color and compliment it with a neutral top.
Also, you don’t have to just color block with your clothing. You can use your accessories, shoes, and bags to help compliment and contrast. If you do decide to use brighter and bolder accessories, it’s important to keep the clothing more neutral.
If you are someone who is a little more daring and want to embrace the bolder and brighter colors, then here are some guidelines to follow so that you don’t go overboard and look like a clown:
Avoid more than three colors at the risk of looking too busy.
Pick a dominant color that is the main attraction and then choose more basic, complementary, or even neutral colors.
Don’t let each piece be the same color. Too much of even your favorite color can look overdone. It’s better to use another color to break up the monotony. So if you wear a coral or aqua jacket, don’t pair it with a shirt that’s the same color. Although for you daring color blockers, try taking an aqua blazer and pair it with a coral tank. Then end with a pair of jeans or a neutral pair of slacks. This color combination is very summery. Whites, blacks, grays, and browns are also a very good to break up a color.
Dress for your body type by choosing colors that adapt for your shape and size. Brighter colors tend to draw attention to an area, so if there’s an area that you don’t want someone to focus on then choose something more dark and neutral.
Now if you’re questioning which colors can go together and look appropriate rather than too much, check out the picture at the top of this post.
Look for the closest the shade to the dominant color you want to use on the color wheel and draw a triangle from that color to two more. Those are the colors that will work the best with the shade you want to wear.
For example, blue would be a good color blocking color with a shade of yellow or red. If you wanted to make purple the focal point, then pair it with a green or an orange. Just remember, don’t try more than three colors at the same time.
The triangle isn’t the only way to choose color blocking colors. You can also select colors that are adjacent to each other. A fashion no-no would be picking multiple dark colors. This looks too heavy. Rather, try picking something like aqua and indigo or aqua and chartreuse.
Have fun experimenting with color and don’t be afraid to try something new. Remember that not every trend works for everybody. Pick your trend based on what flatters your body type.
