Wait! That's A Color Clash!
How many times have you caught yourself combining black and white because you were not sure of which colors to combine without starting a war in the color kingdom? Or, how many times have you gone out looking like a giant cayenne pepper in an all red ensemble? What if I told you you can combine colors like a pro? Ready? Let's go!
Orchid! Yellow! Green! They can do wonders to liven up a look. Or not. Find the hues that work with each other and your outfit will always look smashing (not clashing).
The Science of Color
The guy who discovered the laws of motion also left a gift for anyone struggling to get dressed in the morning: the color wheel. Holding a prism by a window one sunny day in 1666, Sir Isaac Newton proved that light refracts into a rainbow spectrum. He then displayed the natural progression in a circle, which turned out to be handy for painters looking to create harmonious color schemes. Today’s iteration of the color wheel, which has evolved to include in-between tones (like yellow orange and blue green) and warm and cool versions of key shades (warm orangey red, cool bluish red), offers the same help when you’re putting together an outfit. Pull out a single hue or mix opposing or bordering colors to reveal a range of palettes that are scientifically proven to look gorgeous.
Monochromatic
Why it works: Light and dark variations of one color blend beautifully. For best results, wear darks on the parts you would like to downplay and lights, which catch the eye first, on the areas you want to play up. Mix textures (say, satin with knits) to give the look depth.
Wear one knockout shade to turn an outfit into an exclamation point.
Complementary
Why it works: Opposites on the color wheel are such a huge visual contrast that they enhance each other. Red, for example, looks brighter when paired with green. That’s why leafy tones flatter redheads so well. For best results, use about 75 percent of one color and 25 percent of the other. Donning two hues in equal proportion can look like a sports uniform.
Cinch a blue cardigan with an orange belt. But don’t overdo the accents. If you throw in a flame-colored bag and shoes, the eye will be drawn to too many areas at once.
Paler complements are still energizing and are easier to pull off than vivid, primary-based combos. Highlight a mint blouse with baby pink bangles instead of gold.
Analogous
Why it works: Neighbors on the color wheel flow effortlessly together. This scheme is a stunner in nature too. Let one color take the lead, and give the others supporting roles. Asymmetry is more interesting. Avoid combining bolds and pastels (like red and peach), because the brighter color makes the muted one look muddy.
Low-key analogous medleys look especially ethereal. Try a pale purple tunic and a teal scarf over light denim.
Split Complementary
Two analogous colors (neighbors get along) are joined by one complementary color (opposites attract) for a grouping that has an unexpected, nuanced feel. Use the two adjacent colors as one dominant shade and the opposing color as the “surprise”. Again, aim for a ratio of 75 percent to 25 percent.
Chances are, the patterned items in your closet have a built-in split-complementary or analogous scheme. So just draw out, or add, an accent. A print blouse in deep blues and purples gets enlivened with orange earrings.
An earthy purple tee with a thistle sweater is drab until you add a saffron scarf.
Get creative this weekend. Become a color combination consultant, just like that! Go on, have fun.
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| Color Wheel: Your trusted bail out everytime |
Orchid! Yellow! Green! They can do wonders to liven up a look. Or not. Find the hues that work with each other and your outfit will always look smashing (not clashing).
The Science of Color
The guy who discovered the laws of motion also left a gift for anyone struggling to get dressed in the morning: the color wheel. Holding a prism by a window one sunny day in 1666, Sir Isaac Newton proved that light refracts into a rainbow spectrum. He then displayed the natural progression in a circle, which turned out to be handy for painters looking to create harmonious color schemes. Today’s iteration of the color wheel, which has evolved to include in-between tones (like yellow orange and blue green) and warm and cool versions of key shades (warm orangey red, cool bluish red), offers the same help when you’re putting together an outfit. Pull out a single hue or mix opposing or bordering colors to reveal a range of palettes that are scientifically proven to look gorgeous.
Monochromatic
Why it works: Light and dark variations of one color blend beautifully. For best results, wear darks on the parts you would like to downplay and lights, which catch the eye first, on the areas you want to play up. Mix textures (say, satin with knits) to give the look depth.
Wear one knockout shade to turn an outfit into an exclamation point.
Complementary
Why it works: Opposites on the color wheel are such a huge visual contrast that they enhance each other. Red, for example, looks brighter when paired with green. That’s why leafy tones flatter redheads so well. For best results, use about 75 percent of one color and 25 percent of the other. Donning two hues in equal proportion can look like a sports uniform.
Cinch a blue cardigan with an orange belt. But don’t overdo the accents. If you throw in a flame-colored bag and shoes, the eye will be drawn to too many areas at once.
Paler complements are still energizing and are easier to pull off than vivid, primary-based combos. Highlight a mint blouse with baby pink bangles instead of gold.
Analogous
Why it works: Neighbors on the color wheel flow effortlessly together. This scheme is a stunner in nature too. Let one color take the lead, and give the others supporting roles. Asymmetry is more interesting. Avoid combining bolds and pastels (like red and peach), because the brighter color makes the muted one look muddy.
Low-key analogous medleys look especially ethereal. Try a pale purple tunic and a teal scarf over light denim.
Split Complementary
Two analogous colors (neighbors get along) are joined by one complementary color (opposites attract) for a grouping that has an unexpected, nuanced feel. Use the two adjacent colors as one dominant shade and the opposing color as the “surprise”. Again, aim for a ratio of 75 percent to 25 percent.
Chances are, the patterned items in your closet have a built-in split-complementary or analogous scheme. So just draw out, or add, an accent. A print blouse in deep blues and purples gets enlivened with orange earrings.
An earthy purple tee with a thistle sweater is drab until you add a saffron scarf.
 |
| Split Complimentary colors |
Get creative this weekend. Become a color combination consultant, just like that! Go on, have fun.
Culled and edited. Image credit: Google images
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