A column of colour means wearing the same solid colour, or subtle variations of a similar colour, from head to toe. Columns of colour are usually easiest to achieve in black, charcoal and navy, because most people have the pieces to complete the column. But you can create a column in any colour as long as you have the components. A pants suit with a similarly matching top creates an easy and instant column of colour. So does a dress with a matching topper. And dark blue jeans count as navy bottoms.
I love wearing columns of solid bright colours, and have over the years built my wardrobe to support this way of dressing. I have bright coats, jackets, pants, and knitwear in the same bright colours, and wear the look when the mood strikes me. I also like wearing cream, burgundy, and navy columns of colour. Or I wear all sorts of solid reds and bright pinks together for a tonal combination. With these columns, I wear white or cream boots, and whatever bag tickles my fancy. Sometimes I add a bag in the same colour as the column, or create a contrast, or keep it cream or white to match my shoes.
These outfits are examples of columns of colour that are a little less strict than the definition because they include tonal variations, a subtle pattern, and in some instances high-contrast footwear. That said, when you look at the outfits you see a column of colour. I think they are stunning.
1. Creamy Latte
Combine a pair of cream jeans or pants with a tan or taupe sweater that isn’t too much darker than the bottoms. A cream sweater is fab too. Add cream, tan or taupe sneakers, loafers, or boots that match the pants or the top. Throw a coat over the lot that is the same cream and tan family. Finish off the look with a bag in the same palette.
2. Leafy Emerald
Combine a pair of pants and top in the same, or a similar shade of green. Throw a jacket or coat over the top that matches the greens of the top and bottom. Here the model wears high-contrast black shoes and socks that match her hair instead of green to match the column. The bag is a neutral brown that complements the palette.
3. Fiery Red Rose
Create a column of red with a pair of pants and a top. A skirt is fab if pants aren’t your thing. Throw a burgundy jacket or coat over the top. Here a burgundy belt is added to the top to give it a waistline, and to repeat the burgundy. This is an optional extra. Silver high-contrast shoes finish off the look and break the column. You can add red or burgundy shoes to extend the column with a bag to match. Or bookend the shoes with the colour of your hair.
4. Slated Blue
Here is a column of a very greyed blue, which is close to charcoal grey. Combine a pair of grey pants with a matching grey top. Greys are particularly hard to match, so I wish you luck! Here, the pants are a subtle pinstripe, which adds some interest. Top things off with a grey jacket or coat. The fuzzy texture of this coat adds further interest. The look is completed with black shoes, bag, and gloves that are low contrast to the grey, and match the model’s hair. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.
