If you want to understand the fashion color wheel, then, you, my friend, are definitely in the right place because we are here to help. Today, in this article, we are going to show you how to marry the colors well so that they can suit you perfectly. It is important to have a better understanding of how colors work because you can either make or break your look as a result of the colors you choose for your outfits. If the colors are not well put together, your look will not come out the way you want, no matter how expensive your attire is. But do not worry because, once you give this article a read, you will be acquainted with the fashion color wheel perfectly. All you have to do is, scroll down and check what we have in store for you. So go ahead!
In This Article
How To Know What Colors To Match?
Using the right colors and matching them perfectly can be a deal maker. Choosing the perfect color for an outfit is what sets you apart. And, that’s why color and its theories continue to be the pivot for not just clothes, but everything else like interiors, hair, makeup, and much more.
To explain this further, let’s first understand the basis of this whole color theory.
The Color Wheel:
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The color wheel was first invented by Sir Isaac Newton in the 18th century when he tried to condense the color spectrum into a wheel and visually represent the relationship between them. The wheel has been segregated into the following categories. While we will focus on using it for clothing and outfits, this theory is universal and applies to just about anything that deals with colors.
- Primary Colors
These comprise red, yellow, and blue. No two colors can be mixed to achieve these shades. Everything else is derived from these colors.
- Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are a combination of the primary colors. So, red+yellow = orange, red +blue = purple, and blue+yellow = green.
- Tertiary Colors
These colors are a combination of primary and secondary colors. By mixing these colors, you get shades like mint, aqua colors, corals, etc.
- Warm And Cool Colors
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Hues of colors like red, orange, yellow, brown, etc. are warm colors – they make things look smaller in size, and that’s why most of us prefer wearing warmer colors when we want to look slimmer. Cool colors, like hues of blue, purple, green, etc., are soothing colors.
- Neutral Colors
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Neutral colors are self-explanatory. They are just muted, plain, and subdued. Black, grey, whites, off-whites, taupe, etc., fall into the neutral category.
What Are The Principles For Matching Colors?
One fundamental principle for matching your clothes, or for that matter anything, is combining colors that work in harmony. And, that’s what we need to remember while designing or putting our outfits together.
Here’s how you can match them.
- Complementary
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Red and green, violet and yellow, blue and orange – complementary colors, as the name goes, work best when put together. These are exactly opposite to each other on the color wheel. They might seem bold to look at, but the outputs will be perfect. If you observe carefully, your spring and summer clothing is mostly designed using complementary colors. While some might argue against this concept, it is actually a matter of choice as some like making bold statements.
- Analogous
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Matching two or three continuous shades on the color wheel that blend well with each other is called analogous color matching. When you put an entire outfit together based on this, it looks both striking and stylish. If you are wondering how to style that orange or camel trench coat of yours, pick a shade on either side of the color in the color wheel and work with that.
- Triadic
The combination of colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel is called ‘triadic.’ They look great together, but some might argue that they can be OTT. However, you can choose the muted shades of these colors to make your outfit. A pair of green cargos with a pastel pink top and powder blue accessories or shoes will look sophisticated and tasteful.
[ Read: How To Match Your Shoes With The Dress ]
Perfect Colour Combination For Dresses:
- Keeping It In the Family
Image: Instagram , Instagram , Instagram
Keeping it in the family is a mantra you need to remember. The safest way to do this is by blending different shades of the same color. However, that will inevitably get monotonous and boring very soon. Remember how we discussed complementary colors? (Red and green, violet and yellow, blue and orange.) Play around with a combination of these colors; they will look great when put together.
- The Ombre Test
Image: Instagram , Instagram , Instagram
Ombre is taking over everything from hairstyles and cakes to nail art and decor, and not to forget, outfits. Party-wear outfits, bridesmaid dresses or just a simple jeans and top in ombre can turn heads. Diminishing shades of the same color either in ascending or descending order works great. If you are sporting separates, you need to bring it all together with the top, bottom, shoes, and accessories being in sync. Wear ombre outfits for your Christmas or winter parties, goes perfectly with the theme, and the weather too.
- Monochrome Look
Image: Instagram
It seems like a no-brainer because it’s just one color in the same shade for the entire outfit. However, it is the hardest to pull off, for obvious reasons. The good news is monochrome looks have caught up and are not considered weird anymore. Start with comfortable and neutral colors like greys, blues, whites, and blacks, then progress to pastel undertones. Monochrome looks can be customized depending on the season or occasion. If it’s a formal set up, stick to neutrals, blues or whites, otherwise explore the pastels, yellows or even brighter shades if you please.
- One Thing At A Time
Image: Instagram
If it’s a printed or patterned outfit, let the print take over. Prints and patterns are usually a combination of one or more colors, so you must leave it at that. Keep the accessories in the neighborhood; more colors only makes it clumsier and unruly.
- The Balancing Act
Image: Instagram
Another trick of the trade is to balance out any colors you choose to mix carefully. Anything done proportionately is a foolproof way of coordinating your outfit. Like they say, too much of anything is good for nothing.
- Match It With Your Skin Tone
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If you are pale or yellow toned, opt for colors from the colder side of the palette, such as grey, navy blue, varying shades of green, aqua, emerald, burgundy, etc. If you have a deeper skin tone, you can pull off brighter or warmer shades of brown, coral, honey, gold, amber, taupe, etc., as they look amazing on this skin tone. All said and done, an ideal way to do this is to always to strike a balance between warm and cold colors. The same applies to your eye makeup too.
- When In Doubt – Err On The Neutral Side
Image: Instagram
Some people just prefer being muted and subdued with their choice of colors, and end up opting for just the neutral shades. If this is you and you do not want to change drastically, go with one cool or warm color, and leave everything else neutral. It’s always best to keep it this way!
Dressing up is not just about throwing random pieces of clothing onto the body. It indeed is an art and requires thoughtful efforts. Certainly, the fashion color wheel has opened the eyes of many and made them see the significance of colors and their combination in clothes. It is important to know how to mix and match colors for your outfits to bring out your personality better. Personal stylist Paola Farina says, “When in doubt, find a professional for a color analysis. One way to find out which colors suit to better is to look at your veins. Green veins equal a warm undertone and blue veins equal a cool undertone. Furthermore, if coral lipstick shades suit you better, you have a warm skin undertone, and if strawberry shades look good on you, your skin has a cool undertone. So, go for similar colors.”
As a wearer, you must be able to feel comfortable in the colors of your clothes and let them speak about you.
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Pratima Ati
Pratima Ati is a postgraduate in International Business from Staffordshire University. After working in Marketing and Business Development for a… more
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