Mixing Color Groups

Ajoanna

I apologize if this is a topic that has already been discussed, but I was wondering recently about mixing color groups.

Obviously, we all have our favorite color groups: jewel tones (my personal favorite), brights, pastels, earth tones, etc. Is it ever ok to mix these groups, and if so, what are the guidlines for mixing them?

I ask because I'm really trying my hardest to get out of my current color ruts. I have a lot of remixable pieces, but I'm trying to think of new ways to use them, and I'm trying to be more open-minded with color. Unfortunately, I seem to have gotten rather stuck in my "this color goes best with black" or "this color only goes with earthtones."

Any suggestions, ladies?

13 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

moira

Veteran

Really, all I can think of is to just do it.
I just got some cherry red jeans. I wore a black sweater and gray boots . Just for kicks, I wore a chartreuse jacket, which, by definition, should not work, but to me it did.
I look at pictures of outfits that I like and try to see different colors that would work together and still be pleasing to my eye.
Those jewel tones that you favor, as do I, frequently look great with a hot color like lime green or orange or hot pink.
Some may be a fail, but so what? It's just clothes.

13 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I agree with moira that it often just takes looking at it together. Colors can have very subtle differences that make them work or not work with others they should work with. Moira mentions one of my favorite combos--red and green. I usually wear it as cherry and olive, but cherry and chartreuse are great too. Since they are opposites on the color wheel (complimentary colors) they have a lot of energy when they are combined. Every red won't go with every green though.

Jewels look phenomenal with neutrals like taupe, grey, black, olive. There are also lots of great combos of pastels and bolds right now. I'd start looking in magazines for colors that you have and see what they are pairing them with. And keep yourself open. Sometimes a color will surprise you. The other day I bought a mustard skirt on a whim. I kid you not, it appears to go with everything I own. And I just saw it paired with light blue in a magazine. I would have never thought it, but it looked great!

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I like to mix all my colors with all my colors I enjoy trying to find unique color combos, and most often will ground them with a healthy dose of white, gray or black (my personal neutrals). Some good starting points (pick one and go with it):
- keep the saturation level similar
- keep the color within one on the color wheel so they "go" but don't match
- white brightens up any color combo
- opposites are always fun
- but opposites +|- 1 are even more unique (e.g. red+aqua)
- adjacent pairings are also very exciting looking in a subtle way (e.g. red+red orange, or blue+blue green)
- nature is always a great place to find color inspiration

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13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I am still working on this myself. I bought an artists color wheel I keep in my sock drawer to help. It has helped a little . . .i really need to figure out how to work it!

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I use a similar wheel that Aida uses - It's fun to mix things up with opposites +/- 1

13 years ago

sarah

Veteran

I use a color wheel too. I like putting together colors that are either triangular on the color wheel, adjacent, or opposite (also slightly off). But I generally stick with a similar saturation.

13 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm not the most adventurous for my own outfit colors but I like to go to Polyvore and enter the colors into the search for "Sets" option. Like I might search for cobalt pants or cobalt pants with green and see what outfits come up. You could probably do the same on Pinterest.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I love to use 'Design seeds' for inspiration. Here's a link: http://design-seeds.com/index......ory/autumn.
there are hundreds of photos of nature, etc.

13 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I am so boring and I'm trying to improve. Aida your colour wheel is awesome, thanks for sharing it.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Definitely try mixing them up. I've seen some pale blue button downs that look amazing with bright red pants. It may also make a difference as to how much of a color you wear, like just adding a touch of neon green as a belt to a purple skirt and fuchsia top.

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

Aida opened my eyes to adjacent colors last year and it was very freeing. Print a color wheel and put in your closet and you'll be inspired in new ways.

13 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I have dozens of multi-colored scarves, and sometimes the color combos in them show that indeed, a particular combo will work!

13 years ago

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