Though you've long-since figured out how to physically put your clothes on (great work!), matching the colors of your outfit may still be a total mystery. Worry not! We've put together this handy beginner's guide on clothing color theory to help you. Read on to find out how to make your waist look trimmer, your shoulders broader, and your entire appearance together...er. To wit:
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7 ALTERATIONS YOU SHOULD MAKE TO EVERY SUIT (ACCORDING TO A TAILOR)
Fresh Home
1. The color wheel is your friend
Remember this thing? Before it was the Spinning Wheel of Death, it was telling you all about your crayons. But knowing how the color wheel works can help you even more now that Mom isn't picking your outfits every day.
Remember this thing? Before it was the Spinning Wheel of Death, it was telling you all about your crayons. But knowing how the color wheel works can help you even more now that Mom isn't picking your outfits every day.
SVPPLY
2. The primary colors are always a safe bet.
You already know that red, blue & yellow are the primary colors, the ones all others are derived from. And while it might be a little too "Mondrian" to wear bold shades together...
You already know that red, blue & yellow are the primary colors, the ones all others are derived from. And while it might be a little too "Mondrian" to wear bold shades together...
Fashion Cadet
..when you tone them down, the primaries work together perfectly. They're "triad" colors — equidistant from each other on the wheel.
Styleforth
Or, feature red & blue and accent with a yellow accessory (in this case, the yellow-undertoned belt). It’s the most balanced way to contrast an outfit.
MODADYNASTY
3. Complementary colors bring out the best in each other, and you.
All colors have complements, and they look best in contrast to each other. Find complements directly opposite each other on the wheel — a light blue shirt will "pop" most against orange pants. Ever wonder what makes the Mets logo so striking? The Lakers? The Miami Dolphins? All three use complementary colors, as do countless other brands, and now you when you get dressed.
All colors have complements, and they look best in contrast to each other. Find complements directly opposite each other on the wheel — a light blue shirt will "pop" most against orange pants. Ever wonder what makes the Mets logo so striking? The Lakers? The Miami Dolphins? All three use complementary colors, as do countless other brands, and now you when you get dressed.
Rby Design
4. Analogous colors always work.
Any three colors adjacent to each other will automatically go well together. Olive, navy, and denim are a good example. Much simple, such pleasing, wow.
5. Wear neutrals interchangeably (most of the time).
Balance a loud piece with neutrals — black, brown, white or grey. So if your blazer is super-bright, pair it with grey pants to avoid looking like a clown. But make sure your neutrals play nice: light belts with light shoes, and dark belts with dark shoes.
Also: though technically neutrals, gold & silver clothes are for experts only.
Any three colors adjacent to each other will automatically go well together. Olive, navy, and denim are a good example. Much simple, such pleasing, wow.
5. Wear neutrals interchangeably (most of the time).
Balance a loud piece with neutrals — black, brown, white or grey. So if your blazer is super-bright, pair it with grey pants to avoid looking like a clown. But make sure your neutrals play nice: light belts with light shoes, and dark belts with dark shoes.
Also: though technically neutrals, gold & silver clothes are for experts only.
Street FSN
6. Cool vs. warm hues = slimming or bulking
Green, blue & violet (cool) will recede & minimize, while red, orange & yellow (warm) will stand out. By this logic you can wear a brighter, warm-hued blazer to make your shoulders look bigger, and dark, cool-hued pants to shrink your butt (if that’s what you’re going for).
That's all well and good, but I'm actually cripplingly colorblind.
Bummer man! But you've still got a fighting chance thanks to apps like this one from Sherwin Williams, which will use your phone's camera to identify colors in front of it. Good luck!
Green, blue & violet (cool) will recede & minimize, while red, orange & yellow (warm) will stand out. By this logic you can wear a brighter, warm-hued blazer to make your shoulders look bigger, and dark, cool-hued pants to shrink your butt (if that’s what you’re going for).
That's all well and good, but I'm actually cripplingly colorblind.
Bummer man! But you've still got a fighting chance thanks to apps like this one from Sherwin Williams, which will use your phone's camera to identify colors in front of it. Good luck!
