Today while I was shopping with a new client in her closet, I paired a navy dress with a turquoise jacket over it. She loved it and exclaimed, “I would have thought the 2 blues would clash.” Instead it was beautiful and brand new outfit for her.
In my last post about combining colors, I explained how to create 2 neutral colors and an accent color as a way of shopping your closet and creating new outfits. The navy dress and turquoise jacket is an example of color blocking, a hot trend for 2017.
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of color blocking is: “the use of usually bold and bright blocks of color in clothing design.”
Notice it says “usually.” I don’t always think you need to use bright and bold colors to create color blocking, rather simply use 2-3 large blocks of color.
There are 3 ways to achieve color blocking. I’ll start with the easiest first!
Color blocking with a monochromatic color scheme. Navy and turquoise, like I mentioned above, is an example of this. It’s pretty hard for shades of the same color to clash with each other. Yes, turquoise is blue mixed with some green, but blue and green are right next to each other on the color wheel, so that’s okay, too!
You can definitely wear all shades of a single hue in big blocks to create color blocking. When you want to start getting bolder, consider large contrasts such as tomato red and baby pink. Pink is just red with white added.
Color blocking with a dark color scheme: Here we’re using big swaths of color, but they’re darker or more subtle with less contrast.
One of my favorite outfits ever was a pair of slim, brick red pants with a fitted burgundy sweater. It was subtle and sophisticated, but it was unique at the same time.
Love, love love this color combo!
A few other examples include:
Forest green and navy (which is technically a neutral, but sometimes breaking the rules is just fine!)
- Plum and teal
- Rust and mustard
- Olive and chili red
Color blocking with a bright color scheme: Go bold or go home! LOL! This method is a little more advanced, and it might take some easing into. We’re talking bright contrasting colors or a bright/light color with an unusual dark or unexpected color.
Try these combinations on for size:
- Blue-green and olive (somewhat monochromatic, yet highly unusual especially in large dosses.)
- Red and purple
- Bright orange and yellow
- Mauve and forest green
Really, these ideas are just the tips of the iceberg. The beauty of color is in the eye of the beholder. I can tell you as a Denver, certified image consultant, there are very few, if any color schemes that are wrong.
I invite you to take a risk, shop your closet and put together colors you like. Unless you work in an extremely conservative environment, chances are great you’re going to get all kinds of compliments.
And the biggest perk of all is you’ve grown the size of your wardrobe without ever stepping foot into a store!
Still not seeing it? I’m happy to help. My fresh, professional eye can have you shopping your closet with abandon in no time!
Fall is just around the corner. Let’s talk and see if we’re a good fit!
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