The art of creating successful outfits isn't just about choosing clothes that suit your figure. It's also about combining colors, patterns, materials, and textures. How can you combine clothing colors to always look your best?
How to combine clothing colors? The basic rule
There are several techniques for combining clothing colors, so we'll start with the golden rule of many stylists. According to this rule, a maximum of three colors should be used to create an outfit, such as white, navy blue, and brown, or black, gray, and burgundy . This minimalist solution doesn't have to be boring, as it allows you to add a touch of more intense color to a very classic, subdued outfit. According to the rule, vibrant colors require a more muted base to look good, and white, black, and gray are a good choice as a backdrop. Of course, this doesn't mean that every outfit should include at least one of the three basic colors – striking outfits can be created without them, but that's usually a more advanced skill. Below, we'll show you how to combine non-basic colors!
Also read: Burgundy styles - how to wear burgundy clothes?
Combining colors using color-blocking
Color-blocking is a method of combining colors that, at first glance, don't seem to match. In practice, however, neon green and fuchsia, or blue and orange, can create a truly sophisticated look. If you want to try color-blocking, combine opposite colors on the color wheel, known as complementary colors:
- purple and yellow
- blue and orange
- light green and pink
- dark green and red
When color-blocking, clothing cuts should be simple and textures should be similar. Too much variation in materials could create chaos and detract from the overall look.
ANSIN'S TIP: If you want to create a more subdued, but still as colorful as possible, combine adjacent colors, such as purple and pink, or orange and yellow.
Combining clothing colors – pastels
We tend to reach for delicate, washed-out pastel shades, especially in spring and summer. However, pastels can be a bit tricky to style. We often fear a "pajama" or childish effect, as we often associate baby blue or powder pink with sleepwear or children's clothing. To avoid disappointing results, it's worth pairing pastels with more saturated shades of the same color. Pair light purple with lavender, washed-out green with its grassy version, and powder pink with fuchsia. Another way to combine colors in clothing is to pair pastels with white. A skirt or trousers in a light, slightly muted pink or blue will look phenomenal with a classic white shirt! You can also mix both of these options, for example, by pairing lilac cigarette pants with a white T-shirt and a plum blazer. The wow effect is guaranteed!
How to combine patterns?
Now that we've mastered combining different colors, it's time to turn to patterns. The basic rule is to combine patterns that share at least one color. A blue and white floral motif will look great with a geometric pattern (e.g., a checkerboard) in the same tone. Another approach involves combining the same pattern in different colors or sizes, for example, small black and white polka dots with large black and white polka dots, or wide white and navy stripes with small, multicolored stripes. Remember that intuition is also important when combining patterns. It's possible that patterns that, in theory, should look good together don't work well together, and vice versa! That's why, when considering how to combine patterns, always consider your own intuition.
How to combine materials?
Smooth cotton, bouclé knits, shiny leather, flowing silk, rich wool, delicate viscose… All these materials can look great, but the key to success lies in combining them. Our favorite way to combine different fabrics and knits is… contrast. A delicate, flowing viscose or silk dress will look great with a thick wool sweater or a heavy biker jacket. Crochet tops, so popular this season, need a simple, classic companion, like a pair of well-cut jeans. At ANSIN, we're also fans of ribbed cotton. Tops made from it are an interesting alternative to plain fabrics and have the power to add character to even the simplest outfits. Remember that, just like with colors and patterns, when combining different textures, less is often more. So if you have any doubts about the number of colors, patterns, or materials you've chosen, follow Coco Chanel's advice: look in the mirror and take off one item before leaving the house. When choosing colorful clothes, don't forget to wash them properly. If sorting laundry is a challenge for you, be sure to read my post where I reveal how to sort laundry .
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