Color blocking and matchy matchy - what are they? - YouLookFab Forum

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Color blocking and matchy matchy - what are they?

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Hey there fabbers
As I was looking at Ingunn's style challenge calendar for next week, (and thinking I totally missed out on outfits I could have done this week) I realized I really don't know what these two terms mean. To me they almost seem like they could be the same, or at least very similar. Am I completely off base? Could someone impart their fashion wisdom to me? Thank you in advance!

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

Alassë

Veteran

They're closer to opposite in my opinion. Matchy matchy, for example, would be navy cardigan, navy belt, navy bag, & navy shoes worn with a different coloured top and trousers. There's a feeling of continuity/over harmony.

Colour blocking is like a pink top with green shorts - both are colours. Or a tri-colour dress (below). Striking, bold, mod are words that come to mind.
https://www.liketwice.com/laun.....743294863/
https://www.liketwice.com/sile.....349178223/
https://www.liketwice.com/lamb.....189151507/

Aziraphale

Veteran

'Matchy matchy' may also, at times, be a subtly negative term -- the implication being that the wearer looks too try-hard or precious -- whereas 'colour blocking' is simply a description of using blocks of colour in a bold way, as Alasse has shown.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Ms. Mary and Goldenpig are great examples of matchy matchy done right. Colorblocking is often when an item has two colors such as a denim jacket with black leather sleeves or a handbag with two colors in different panels of the bag.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes, thank you, Texstyle -- I should have made clear that it doesn't have to be a negative term. Mind you, I would have described Ms Mary and Goldenpig as 'put together' rather than 'matchy matchy', because I've heard the latter used as an insult so many times (in real life, not on this forum) that to me, it cannot lose its negative flavour.

trekkiegirl

Veteran

Great descriptions ladies, thank you! I can definitely do matchy matchy, not sure about the color blocking though. I've worn bright colored pants a couple times recently, probably wouldn't again so soon, and not sure I have a single color block item.

abc

Veteran

You could even color block with your black pants. Wear them with a bright colored shirt and if you have one, a different color purse/bag. Think lots of contrast.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree Aziraphale, often people do seem to relate to the term matchy matchy in a bad way so I wanted to be sure to point out some good examples.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Did someone say matchy matchy? It's not a negative term! Own it!
I love matching accessories to my clothes and repeating themes throughout my outfit. Even things like the ribbon wrap dress and shoes with curved ribbon like straps. And my favorite thing to do is matchy matchy with my mini me.

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abc

Veteran

The Queen of Matchy Matchy has spoken (and given fab photo examples)!

trekkiegirl

Veteran

I love those!

trekkiegirl

Veteran

I used to do this with my girl. You can't see all the matchy-ness, but we were both in polka dots and bright colors.

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abc

Veteran

Super cute

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

What a cutie! How old is she now?

Anonymous

I don't consider matchy matchy to be negative either in fact isn't it very much on trend? I think there was some on the catwalks for SS 15. Your daughter is a sweetheart!

MsMaven

Veteran

Ms Goldenpig has great flair with her match-matchy outfits. This isn't what people mean when they use the term in a negative sense. Ms Mary has fabulous color sense and daring so that if she matches, it is probably matching in a highly original way.

I grew up when matching shoes, bag and belt, and sometimes gloves, was the acceptable lady-like way to dress. I conformed and it was hard to break the habit, but how great it is to be able to dress our true and uniquely original selves.

Aziraphale

Veteran

It's not the act of matching elements in your outfit, as Goldenpig does, that I find objectionable. She looks fab. It's the term 'matchy-matchy' that I find problematic, because in my neck of the woods, it's not a compliment.

Clearly that's not true for everyone, though!