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Color matching rules?

ChristineB

Do you have any personal color rules for yourselves? For example, I've heard some people say you should repeat a color 2 or 3 times in an outfit to make sure it doesn't seem random (ie, red shoes, patterned blouse with red in it or green shoes, bag & in the necklace). Some say one pop of color is best.

I've been mostly a neutral girl, and I'm trying to branch out more into color, and I'm trying to figure out how much matching is OK. For example, I have a silky patterned scarf that has blue, green, medium brown & dark brown in it. The blue perfectly matches my blue skirt. Should I wear the scarf & skirt together? How about the scarf with the green sweater that also matches perfectly? Or am I better off sticking to wearing it with a white shirt & dark brown pants? What about wearing a patterned blouse with my blue skirt that has a matching blue in it?

I'd love to hear what everyone's rule of thumb is when it comes to this type of thing!!

Christine

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from ImogenL

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I don't have a concrete answer, but I've learned to try everything, take a photo, and analyze the look for myself before posting it here. I find that I have more creativity than I give myself credit for.
Try on the outfits you mentioned, take a photo and ask yourself why it does or does not work. Things don't have to "match" they have to "go". And then post your creations here for ideas or opinions if you like.
I'm wearing a combination today that I've refined over a few wears. A white based graphic tee with metallic graphic, mustard cord skirt, black boots, black cardigan, and dusty rose patent belt. I tried it previously without the belt, but think the outfit needs it now! Afer analyzing my look after that addition, I decided to add a white handbag. And voila. It appears balanced and colorful enough, yet I'm able to stay true to my neutral based style.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Sarah, that outfit sounds really great! I can completely imagine it. Thanks for the inspiration.

I second Sarah's advice about taking a photo. It's work, but it's worthwhile.

Antje

Veteran

Christine, I agree with Sarah in that the best thing to do is try out different combinations. While there might be guidelines and rules of thumb, in the end it really comes down to the specifics of the outfit and the colors. And the "rules" might be different for every individual. For instance, while having too many accessories in the same color (e.g. red shoes, scarf, glasses) is generally discouraged and seen as too "matchy matchy", I sometimes do this and get away with it (and I'm not quite sure why.) On the other hand, I struggle with introducing a "surprise" color that provides contrast rather than complement to the outfit, which I often admire on others.

That said, there are some resources to help. For instance, just yesterday someone posted a link to a blog post that discusses color combos, see here: http://www.academichic.com/200.....ne-colors/ I found this is a very interesting and helpful article.

Specifically, the combinations you describe in your post all sound lovely, and I would just try them all out - and maybe you want to post pictures and have us provide feedback and suggestions?

Oh, and the current issue of InStyle magazine has a focus on color combinations.

Inge

(website)

Hi Christine, I have no rule of thumb for this, seeing that I've only recently started experimenting with more colour too.

I agree with Antje, everything you described has potential, and I think we'll just have to try many different combinations - and post picks to get excellent advice;-)

P.S. I LOVE the sound of that scarf!!

tarzy

Veteran

I sometimes think I need an adult version of Garanimals - you know, those kids clothes that are totally mix and match?

I think that's why I so often default to black, because I just don't have a clue about what colors go with what.

April

Veteran

I think there is also a sort of general rule of thumb about "no more than two". Two accessories of the same color, or one piece of clothing and one accessory, is okay, but more than two and you start looking like a suite of hotel furniture.

It seems like the chic-est dressers do not follow this rule. That is to say, they don't bother with "matching" at all, because they're so good at pulling things together in a less ordinary way.

For the rest of us, I like Tarzy's suggestion about Garanimals...

Louise

Veteran

I'm a bit of a matcher. ie tonight i went out in skinny jeans a blue patterned tunic with a turquoise bracelet and black knee high boots- must try to be more adventurous as people are posting some great outfits with several colours and it really works.
Although today i threw on a red bangle with a green black and grey patterened top and it really worked where previously i would have picked out a colour in the top for my bangle so i'm slowly getting there x

shiny

Veteran

I can't believe I'm going to say this, seeing as I am a failure at home decorating, but, I think a good place to start if you are unsure about wardrobe colors, is to practice the usual home decorating rule: pick a pattern you like (your new scarf) and build an outfit around it.

I believe these home decorators explain that in most patterned fabrics, there is usually a predominant/background color, one that is a little less so, and then a third color that is more of an accent. They tell you to use the predominant color for your walls; the middling color for your furniture, and the accent color in the pattern for your throw pillows and such.

So, applying this to your clothing, if (for example), blue is the predominant color in the scarf, then definetly pair it with that skirt. But if blue is more of an accent in the scarf, then consider the white top and brown slacks, with the scarf, and a blue purse or shoes as accent. Does that make sense?

Of course this is just a general guideline.... personally, I would probably try all the outfit combos you thought of with the scarf, take pics, and then see what works the best!!!

The only combo I don't think will work is the patterned scarf with a patterned blouse. I suspect it will be too many patterns close together competing. But, there are always exceptions! So who knows.

shell

sounds like the ladies have you covered pretty well, but i just thought i'd add my two cents.

here are my rules:
-no more than two of the same color in an outfit
-both of the two colors pieces can't be major pieces - so, no pink shirt with a pink skirt
-the colors should "go" together - so, no neon green with rust orange but forest green with rust orange would be ok

as for your scarf, i would say you can absolutely pair your scarf with either of the items that match. it's a great technique to pick out colors from a bold print and match the rest of your outfit to it!

Kari

Veteran

This is something I'm pondering too, Christine. Shiny's suggestion is usually a safe option for me, but I don't have too many multi-colored patterned pieces. I read Academichic and have been trying to work out their color tutorial posts (I actually tried a subtle two-thirds combination deliberately today and may or may not have worked out a split complementary combination.) I'm not sure if I get it, but their ideas make me feel bolder about introducing multiple colors into an outfit. I also admire Kasmira's bold color combinations on whatiwore2day, although I don't think I could go as far as she does without looking costumey.

Anyway, as a fellow girl who is trying to incorporate more color into her outfit, I hope you post pictures of some of the concepts you're trying out. Seeing visual examples really inspires me to try something new on my own.

hanna

(website)

academichic and whatiwore2day are great sources for color inspiration aren't they, kari? i've used them too.

shell's rules of thumb are pretty much how i go about it too, christine, except for one caveat in my case: no more than two of the same color in the same outfit, but two shades of the same color would work i think!

tarzy

Veteran

Since I prefer neutrals, I've been playing around with outfits that have several shades of the same color. Pretty tame compared to the lovely outfits most of you put together, but at least it adds a little more interest to my neutrals.

I also found this great advice from Imogen at Inside Out Style (I think she occassionally posts here) For me, the visuals really help!

http://insideoutstyle.blogspot.com/

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Finally getting to this thread.

The resources that have been mentioned are great and I hope you find them useful, Christine. Many of you have hit the nail on the head.

I don’t have many rules on this topic because I see things differently. I advocate taking bold steps when it comes to colour AND I think that mismatching colour is more stylish. Subtle differences in fabric composition also play a role, and many colours work together if they are in the right intensity.

But I have two flop proof rules if that helps:

o no more than two of the same color in the same outfit
o Neutrals and brights always work, especially if you add white.

Tanya

Veteran

Angie, I have meant to ask you this for a while, but never got to it. Regarding your
"no more than two of the same color in the same outfit" rule, does this apply to neutrals too?

For example, can I wear at the same time white jeans, white cami (under bright/printed top which might have some white in it as well) and white watch? or how about my favorite shades of gray - charcoal pants, grey patent shoes and dove grey top under a colorful cardi?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good point, Tanya. With white, I make an exception! But not with black unless there is LOTS of texture - sorry Tara

GoXtina

(website)

When it comes to building on outfit on what I have in my wardrobe, I try many tops or jeans and see if they are pleasing to the eyes. This is my rule...It's very time consuming though! When you try an outfit out, you have to ask yourself if you like what you see in the mirror. That's what I always do and I come out satisfied.

Louise

Veteran

Blimey i'm in trouble! Yesterdays outfit of brown trousers, boots and watch and tan handbag is a major fashion faux pax!
My fail safe has always been to wear only 2 colours then pick everthing for the outfit in shades of those 2 colours. Sounds like i've got to be waaaaay more adventurous x

ChristineB

Thanks everyone!! I love hearing your rules of thumb. It sounds like I've been mostly doing OK with colors. Now I need to do better with grey/black & brown. I see more colored shirts in my future... (cue fortune teller music).

I just bought some cream/grey large floral patterned linen blend fabric to make a pleated a-line skirt for summer. I think I need a kelly green top & an orange top to go with it!

shiny

Veteran

So Angie, I'm confused (or just tired). When you say no more than 2 colors in an outfit, are you considering neutrals a "color" ? Does that question make sense?

Assuming that your neutrals have interesting textures, can't you dress head-to-toe in a neutral, with accessories as the pop of color? Cuz in't this the standard how-to-look-taller dressing advice that they give to petites? I believe they call this "monochromatic" dressing?

For example, the outfit Tanya describes: if the grey top is silky, the grey slacks are flannel, the grey shoes are patent.... isn't that a sophisticated, lengthening, monochromatic look? (with pops of color from the cardigan, white watch, purse, etc to liven it up and add some interest).

I do the monochromatic thing myself.... and I do think it has a lengthening effect. So I am curious.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Neutrals are “a colour” Shiny. But it has to the SAME colour neutral for it to qualify. Monochromatic palettes are fine if all the browns or greys are different.

OF COURSE you can dress head to toe in neutrals (but not exactly the same shade of neutral from head to toe – like in entirely the same shade of grey). You can even add neutral accessories. There is no need for colour.

ImogenL

(website)

Thanks for the link.

My only rule with matching colours is that they need to have similar colour properties - so warm with warm, cool with cool, bright with bright (or neutral), dusky with dusky. Interestingly if you look at interior decorating magazines you'll find that good interior decorators use these rules too.

There is no one rule I'd consider that only so many colours can be combined at a time, some people need 1-2 colours, some can carry off many, it's partly to do with your natural colouring and partly to do with your personality.

Colour is so interesting a subject.