As spring is welcomed here in the UK, the colours are bright and abundant. This is usually the time when people yearn to add colours to their outfits. If this feels alien to you, and you are wondering where to start with colours, then I am here to help.
If you are just beginning to dip your toe into adding colours to your outfits, or haven’t yet tried to do so and are feeling overwhelmed, then here are my tips for adding colours to your wardrobe.
Play with colours that match your neutrals
If you want to make your colours feel appropriate for a look, investigate the colours that work with your neutrals. As a part of a colour clinic with us, we provide the base neutrals and complementary colours to work with them in your very own colour palette. This can be taken with you in your handbag so you can quickly pick and choose colours that go together.
If you don’t yet have one of these, here are a few of my favourite complementary colours that go with specific neutrals:
Colours that work with black:
Considered one of the most versatile neutrals, black is in fact one of the hardest colours to wear. Breaking up this basic colour with an additional colour within your colour wheel will make a huge difference to your look.
Some of my favourite colours to put with black are:
Dusty rose
Fuchsia
Green
Metals (copper, gold, silver, platinum)
Lilac
Red
Colours that go with navy:
Navy is a great base colour in particular for professional outfits as it isn’t as harsh as black.
Some of my favourite colours to put with navy are:
Pink
Red
Orange
Lime green
Mustard yellow
Gold
Colours that go with beige:
Perfect for the warmer months, beige is a light, airy colour that can be an excellent neutral in your wardrobe.
Some of my favourite colours to put put with beige are:
Rust
Aqua green
Burgundy
Olive green
Mauve / lilac
Pastel pinks
source: In an Elegant Fashion
Start with the extremities
There is nothing more daunting than an entire outfit full of colours. This is why for those of you who want to dip your toe into adding colours to your looks may be stepping back.
The first way to approach colours can be starting with your extremities – such as your hands, feet or head.
These smaller areas of your body can take on a little dash of colour, while the rest of your body remains neutral, permitting for that colourful flash to be more approachable.
Shoes & bags are often the best place to start as they come in so many different colourways and patterns. Shoes can be covered gently with wide-leg trousers or bootcut jeans meaning the colour peaks out.
Bags can be swapped out easily between outfits (as long as you remember to swap out your essentials!) so you can play with whatever look you feel like. Take a bold bright bag one day, and more composed look with a colourful handle the next.
Another option is to add a colourful headband, scarf or earrings, which can also quickly and easily be swapped depending on the occasion.
Break up the colours with your layers
Now you have your neutrals and your accessories set, you can look to adding additional pieces to your outfit. You can break up the colours in your outfit by wearing layers such as a blazer, a jacket, or even hosiery.
For example, if you want to bring a dash of colour to a summer dress, you can pair a neutral dress with a colourful blazer. You could also add an underlayer to your dress such as a thin long sleeved mesh top in one of your colours.
For your two-piece, why not add a colour through a slogan tee under your neutral suit? Pick out the colours from the tee and pop on a pair of shoes or a bag which has a colour that is in it.
Monochromatic looks
Just like your neutral suit feels less daunting than a bright one-off dress, you may find that monochromatic looks can be an excellent solution for adding colour to your outfits.
Picking one colour and seamlessly utilising it across your outfit can be a beautiful way to make an outfit feel approachable yet bright and inviting.
Consider a green suit, or match a pink dress with pink shoes and accessories. Picking out different levels of the colour can make it more dimensional as a look, too.
If you are looking for someone who can help you discover the perfect colours for you to add to your looks so you can shine, our colour clinics can be an excellent solution.
And if you can't meet us in person, we could help through our Online Colour & Style Clinic.
