Symbolic Color Combinations

Laura

I've realized that there are certain color combinations I avoid because I associate them with something. Here are some off the top of my head:

1) Red, white and blue - USA Colors
2) Red and Yellow - Fast food, McDonalds
3) Red coats - Little red riding hood (even if there isn't a hood, I feel this association!)
4) Black and Yellow - Bumblebees

What color combinations do you avoid due to symbolism or association with something? I'm curious! =)

16 years ago

General

17 replies

Latest reply was from Dawn

Queen Mum

Veteran

Red and green- Christmas
black/white- jsut doesn't work with my coloring
burgendy/grey- high school colors
green/yellow- college colors
I"m revisiting many of the former 80's combos, but was having a hard time with them for a while because they screamed 80's and big hair to me- purple/green, red/purple, teal/pink, etc

16 years ago

marianne

Active Member

My biggest no-no is green and red, no matter what the shade. I also never wear green with pink, I think by extension (in general, I don't like 2 opposite colors in clothing, like purple/yellow) I usually avoid red, white and blue, unless blue is dark denim, but I don't have a problem with the rest of the combinations you listed.

16 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Red and khaki -- Target employee! I also stay away from red and green and the USA colors.

Other than that I have no weird color associations. I like yellow and black very much and don't think I look like a bumblebee when I wear those colors.

16 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

No matter how many times I hear that clashing is cool, I cannot wrap my head around red and pink. I learned my limited concept of colour from my mom, who was always adamant that those shades to not work together (like plaids and stripes, she'd say). This is one of the few areas where I'm not able to make an independent decision, and I simply can't picture the combo well enough to sport it with confidence.

And this isn't a combo, but I avoid dark green because it was the colour of a uniform that I wore while attending a private school and being incredibly unhappy.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I don't think anything or anyone has rights over color combinations! I'll wear anything.

I think part of that is just that I have been using and studying color so long in so many combinations that I see no symbolism anymore. My typography instructor used to explain that although some color combos have strong associations, you really have to get the colors spot on. Tomato red and lime green aren't going to say "Christmas." Neither is burgundy and olive green. It has to be THE red and green of Christmas. I wore red and green today and didn't feel Christmasy at all (a tomato red and a dull khaki green...very different colors for me). I didn't even think of it until seeing this discussion.

16 years ago

Ele

(website)

Active Member

I agree with Maya, it's the specific hue AND combination that's most likely to bring to mind certain things. I don't think any holiday, country or brand can really "own" a colour combination so completely.

I know lots of people who are scared of pairing red and green, because of the Christmas thing. I wouldn't wear pure red and green for that reason, but love "red-like" colours with "green-like" ones. Forest green with pale rose, fuchsia with sage- I really like both of those.

Another example is the red/white/blue combo, and the association that most people make with the States (I think of the Union Jack!). But white, deep crimson and pale blue is a gorgeous combination, and doesn't seem "flag-like" at all.

Having said that, I tend to prefer monochromatic outfits on myself, so probably wouldn't wear many of these combos! I do like thinking about them for home decor, graphic design, etc.

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I will wear any colour I fancy, I do wear small pops of red and green in the same outfit and there is nothing elf like about me!

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I don't wear brown bottoms and green tops (looks tree like!!!) x

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

eh eh,, this is fun, I avoid red and green, the colors of the Portuguese flag.

16 years ago

Mojo Riley

Active Member

Chiming in to agree with Maya- I definitely think the particular hue matters more than the "color." I cannot do the X-mas red/green combo, nor the R/W/B of the US flag.

I actually love yellow and black together, but once, my favorite former coworker (a guy) and I were on the elevator and both happened to be wearing yellow and black that day. The elevator stopped on another floor and this guy walked on, did a double-take, and said "Oh no- a bumblebee gang! Please don't sting me!" We both about died...

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This summer I wore a yellow ruffled top with a black cardigan. Often. At first, I felt like a bumblebee. Then I got over it. I liked the contrast. I think I recently shared a photo with this same top paired with a brown and cream print cardigan. That looks nice too, but I actually prefer it with black. Don't ask me why.

As for red and green, yesterday I was cruising a consignment shop and came upon a DVF wrap dress. It didn't fit me, but if it had, I may have bought it. It was in a geometric pattern of red and green. A christmas red and green. Which gave me pause, but the way it was done, it didn't scream christmas. Somehow, it just worked.

Pink and green is tougher for me. Think: Lilly Pulitzer print. There's something too preppy about it. Except I do love preppy stuff and find myself drawn to it all the time. So it's a love/hate thing.

16 years ago

Frenchie

Active Member

Blue, white and red, color of my flag (and many others), I wouldn't like to be called a nationalist or some kind of fanatic.

Red & Green, christmas...

And opposite colors. I usually wear colors with black or white, I don't want to look like a christmas tree

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The red and green Xmas theme poses a bit of a challenge. So does wearing cobalt and red together. I feel like a flight attendant.

But I'll never say never!

16 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

So interesting! I often like to wear these "no-no" color combos, and I often feel a bit cheeky doing so. I really think it's all in the attitude and relative amounts of the colors. (i.e. I would not do equal amounts red and green, or red, white and blue)...but I do like to flirt with the familiar colorways.

16 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Green + Red...Yes, I forgot about that one!

I agree that shade comes into play. And I should say that I do wear yellow + black but w/a blue or white as well.

It's fun to hear what you avoid because of personal experiences (like school uniforms). =)

16 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

There's a dear friend I've had since grade school, and we have a secret understanding about purple & green - our FAV combo since childhood -- and it holds years and years of special meaning for us!! How silly are we??

16 years ago

Dawn

(website)

Active Member

I absolutely cannot wear the colours of purple and yellow together as they are my home county's hurling (fastest field sport in the world!) team's colours (http://www.irishblogs.ie/images/338316.bmp). It's a colour combination I save for match day.

My school uniform has left me with an absolute dread of plaid, neck-ties, and the combination of bright red and forest green.

16 years ago

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