When it comes to creating a wardrobe you love, it can be hard to know where to start. Not all of us can be expert fashionistas, after all. The first step to finding a style that works for you is learning how to properly color match your clothing. Color coordinating your wardrobe means learning how to mix a variety of colors that can work in sync with each other harmoniously, specifically when it comes to creating a cohesive look.
Prepping your go-to outfit of the day can be intimidating, but knowing what colors and shades work best with each other will make the process immensely easier. Not sure where to start? Not to worry – we are here to help!
For a full guide on how to properly color coordinate your clothing, read our top style tips below.
Colors: Use the Color Wheel
Consider all of the colors of the rainbow and refer to the acronym ROY G BIV – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. When looking at the color wheel, many suggest that matching a color with its opposite counterpart on the wheel is your best bet. For instance, if you’re looking for something to pair with dark blue jeans, the color wheel suggests you should put on an orange or yellow shirt. While this is a great place to start, you’ll want to take it a step further by taking hues and brightness of the fabric color into consideration.
Oftentimes, if you’re mixing colors without neutrals involved, the boldness of your outfit can be a bit overbearing. So as a rule of thumb when trying to create a cohesive clothing color palette, opt for pieces of two different colors and of three different hues or shades of brightness. This helps create a consistent look from head to toe without going overboard on the bold splash of color.
Neutrals: Stick to the Three (Black, White, & Gray)
The good news about neutrals, which includes blacks, whites, and grays, is that they can be matched with just about any and all primary colors and with each other without throwing off the cohesion and flow of your outfit choice. Again, you’ll still want to keep in mind the brightness of the neutral shades as to nicely coordinate them with other colors of similar hues.
In addition to black, white, and gray, some other clothing that is considered neutral is that of the colors tan, brown, cream, khaki, and beige. These also all work well when coordinated with each other or with colors from the rainbow color wheel.
Monochrome: When In Doubt, Stick to One Color
If you’re stuck on styling an outfit and just can’t quite seem to figure out what colors and shades are working together, it’s a good idea to simply wear all one color. If you want to look chic and professional, you truly never can go wrong with all black. All white is also ultra sleek and wearing all shades of brown and tan never fails.
If you want to have some fun with monochrome colors, however, create a one-colored ensemble using a variety of different hues and saturation levels. This brings dimension to the outfit and helps break up the monochrome look in a unique way.
Pick Colors That Compliment Your Skin Tone
Once you have figured out how to style the correct colors, you’ll also want to consider what works best with your personal skin tone and hair color. Think about how different colors reflect on your skin and play around with different options. Also consider the time of year and the occasion you’re dressing for. Warm or soft color tones are best for spring and summer as they play up the brightness and saturation of a color, while cool tones are best for fall and winter, as they tend to be more neutral and appropriate for the season.
Color Match Your Accessories
While it’s great to mix and match colors throughout your outfit, there are a few key aspects to your ensemble that should always match precisely as much as possible. Leather belts, shoes, purses, and briefcases should work together cohesively by exhibiting the same shade of tan, brown or black. This also goes for the metals on your watch, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces. This is the best way to tie the whole outfit together without being distracting.
Practice Makes Perfect
Creating a perfectly color coordinated wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice and experimentation. Whenever you have some extra free time, try on different color combinations and styles to see what works best for you. This way, you’ll already have several great outfits planned ahead of time and you won’t be rushing to figure out what you should wear for any given event that comes up. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there when you’re in the comfort of your own home. You might be surprised to find that you love something you never expected to see in the mirror!
Wear Your Colors With Confidence
Overall, it’s important to consider the above tips when color matching your wardrobe. However, you also want to remember to wear whatever you feel most confident in. While the above guidelines provide an excellent base for every outfit, don’t be afraid to try a wide variety of things on and go with whatever feels best for you and your personal style.
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