A Foolproof Guide to Matching Colors in Your Outfits
Let’s face it: Black is the go-to color for almost everyone. Most of us home in on the simple, classic black and white pieces on a rack while completely ignoring colors with names like fuchsia or chartreuse.
Why are bright, fun colors so often overlooked? We are secretly terrified of styling them the wrong way. Every woman has her own set of color matching rules that has been passed down – most of them restrictive, involving more “don’t”s than “do”s. But in reality, you can wear more colors together than you think. This easy guide to matching colors will have you fearlessly rocking ruby red heels without Grandma’s belt-shoe-bag rule ringing in your ear.
Introducing: The Color Wheel
You may recognize this spinning little rainbow (albeit stationary for our purposes) from your many years of mandatory art classes — I know I used it for quite a few art projects back in the day. This circle of color is going to serve as a grown-up guide to matching colors. Trust me, it’s foolproof!
How to Match Colors: The Basics
Below, I’ll show you how to match different hues together for a harmonious ensemble.
Primary Colors
Red, blue, and yellow are known as the primary colors. All other colors come from a combination of these three hues. Primary colors can work great for a monochrome look, which means styling an outfit using only one color. This idea seems basic, but when executed correctly, appears modern and chic. Utilizing only one color lengthens and streamlines the body.
Top – Old Navy, Jeans – Macy’s, Shoes – Heels.com, Earrings – Coach, Bracelet – Macy’s, Handbag – Dorothy Perkins
If the monochrome look isn’t your thing and you want to get a little more daring, you can also mix primary colors in one outfit for a mod look, as seen below:
Tank – J.Crew, Blazer – Dorothy Perkins, Jeans – Miss Selfridge, Clutch – ASOS, Necklace – H&M, Bangle – Dorothy Perkins, Heels – Zara
Complementary Colors
Finding complementary colors is simple: Pick any color on the color wheel (for diversity, try a secondary or tertiary color, i.e. any color that isn’t red, yellow, or blue), and trace your finger directly across the circle to the opposite portion of the wheel. What you will find is that the colors directly line up and appear to be opposites of one another. Some complementary pairings are: orange/blue, violet/yellow, turquoise/maroon.
Top – Topshop, Shorts – Topshop, Sandals – DSW, Bag – Nordstrom, Earrings – Zara, Necklace – Modcloth
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are even easier to find on the wheel than complementary colors. Just pick any one color on the wheel, then choose the color to the right or the left of the original — you have found your palette. Hues that are similar to one another on the color wheel create a harmonious and cohesive look. Below, I created an outfit using red and pink – which many say don’t go together, but can actually be combined for a fabulously unexpected look.
Dress – Forever 21, Shoe – Charlotte Russe, Bangles – Forever 21, Ring – Miss Selfridge, Belt – Topshop, Clutch – Debenhams
Accent Color
So you’ve mastered the color wheel. You know how to pair a killer lemon heel with a navy romper. Sometimes, though, situations require more subdued and conservative looks. For example, as much as you would love to wear your summery brights year round, your boss isn’t exactly a fan of the color wheel (boo).
When you have to tone down the rainbow, try adding just a pop of color to your ensemble. Keep a neutral palette by using black, navy, or cream, and add just a hint of color in the right place. Fashion is all about self-expression and versatility.
Top – Topshop, Blazer – Topshop, Skirt – Topshop, Shoe – Payless, Bag – Banana Republic, Bracelet – Kohls, Earrings – Nordstrom
One Final Tip About Wearing Color
Before we go, I just want to leave you with a little reminder, in case you’re doubting your abilities to wear different hues.
Whatever you do, stop saying to yourself: “Well, black is supposed to be slimming. I cannot be caught dead in orange. Purple dress, purple shoes, purple flowers. (Oh my!)” Try refreshing your wardrobe with a little color, and a little confidence – you can do it! In reality, you can wear any color you want – it’s all about finding your most flattering shades and being willing to experiment.
Thoughts?
Do any of you have color matching rules your mother passed down to you? Do you think you only look good in certain colors based on skin tone or body type? Will you try to add more color in your wardrobe in the future? Let me know what you think!
Posted on on July 27, 2011 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Art, bright, college, Color, Fashion Tips, Featured, Guide, Matching, Outfit Ideas, Pairing, Tips, versatile
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Ashley
<3
doped
This is great!! I never know what colours go together and this has really hepled! :)
Thanks
Kat
This left me wanting more! loved it!
Stephanie
Great article and cute outfits! I usually just stick to black and grays but this definitely encourages me to try adding some color into my outfits. Thx!
Danielle
Great article! Super thorough. I def. learned a few things :)
Jacquelie
I love the color wheel you included! Great article and a lot of great tips and explanations !
Stari
Fantabulous(: !! Thank you for doing this! It’s really helpful
Charlotte - University of Birmingham
this is really awesome!! I will definitely be referencing this post in the future. I never studied art at school so while I know a bit about the colour wheel, this really helped. I love the teal and pink outfit, and I love just the mention of a navy romper with a yellow heel!!
Great job, Lexi!!
Charlotte
Tori
I love this! I also never took art so I never learned the whole color thing, not that I was totally clueless with colors, I just love this breakdown.
Nikki
I needed this yesterday I had this fushia color pants wore a white top and red shoes
Callie
This is wonderful advice! I am getting more and more brave with mixing bright colors that I never thought would go together. A reference to the color wheel can really help a girl try something new. Also love that blue monochromatic look – I would wear it in a heartbeat.
Shannon
By far one of the best posts on this site! I’ve always heard that you should look to the color wheel for outfit inspiration, but was never quite sure how to actually do it. Your post showed how simple yet effective this technique can be. Great job!
Morgan
One quick question: How do you buy Zara clothing items if you live in the US?
Ashlee
This is awesome! thank you!
Bee
This is by far my favorite post on this site…EVER! Each outfit is gorgeous! Wow!!
Lila
I really enjoyed this post! The color wheel thing was actually new to me. Thank you! I’d love it, if you can post more of this topic.
March
I love the color wheel idea. I’m also a graphic designer and the wheel is on everything!
(Sorry for my english)
Nessa Darling
I LOVEEE this post. I recently cut my hair off to go natural and because I no longer had long hair to hide behind I’ve had to spice up, yet simplify my style and have found myself re-working my clothes, cutting shorts, throwing earth tones and brights together and wearing multiple neutrals. For instance for work tomorrow, I’m wearing a casual lace knit LBD, a bright red shrunken sweater, a cream purse and cream alligator print heels. It looks perfectly sophisticated and elegant, yet with an edge just like me :)
June
Amazing post!! This was such a great article!
Jenny in Jacquard
Love the complimentary combo and the analogous combo. Both are super summery and are a little more out of the box. Great inspiration as always. :)
Melissa
Brilliant article, very helpful! :)
Mikkola
wow… love love love your post… great outfits…!
Sweeney
Great article! The color combinations are gorgeous! <3
Isa
@Morgan: You can buy Zara clothes from their website.
I loved this! Exactly what I needed, why didn’t I think about it before? Thank you!
Elizabeth
I put the color wheel to everything I wear. It’s ingrained in my brain because of being in formal art classes since I was in 5th grade til I graduated high school. Still doing art after college! I need something yellow in my closet! Always wanted a yellow clutch. And those blue booties are fab.
Lexi - Penn State
heyy ladies! sorry super delayed im on vacay currently :)
@Shannon: thank you soo much! keep following my articles! I change it up every week :)
@Morgan: here’s a link to the Zara US website which has the same styles http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home/us/en/zara-S2011-s
@Bee: thank you soo much! a lot more articles to come!!
@Nessa Darling: That sounds terrific! I always say that fashion is about self expression not necessarily for garnering outward attention. I love when i compose an outfit that just screams Lexi-ness
@Elizabeth: Instead of being an art major, I just use all the elements in my everyday life. It works out quite nicely ;)
Madhura
Awesome article. And so on time as I was really out of new ideas. And I like the top in the last outfit. :)
Morgan
Right, thanks for the link to the their website! I’m just not sure on how to add their clothes to a cart and buy them off their website.
Sue
I actually paired an aquamarine silk cami with a blue skirt and the result was beautiful!! I love color-blocking :)
Miche Purses
besides your rules (very well explained by the way), I think of metallic as neutral colors.
Also, how do you prefer to use your handbag? as a twist or neutral in the outfit?
marisa
great article
makayla
all i want to know is what colors go with what colors is that to hard to ask the color wheels are confusing
Elizabeth Maria Falama
I really like colors. It shows that we are living in a colorful world. And God is also beautiful and colorful. I appreciate your article. thank you so much.
Busybee.
Chandler
What is the name of the Bracelet?
kristin
I understand the color wheel but I want to pair dark purple skinnies with a teal tank, does this go? And if so, what heel and belt go with? Thanks :)
Monikkaforca
I love this post!! :) Color mixing is such a big deal,thanks for bringing up this post:)
helen
ive bought a colbalt blue dress for a wedding but dont know what colour accessories to put with it any ideas
Rosie
I have found that burgundy (the deep red wine colour, not the plum tones) goes amazingly well with orange. For example, am wearing a burgundy velvet jacket, burgundy suede boots, with soft-as-butter Italian leather gloves in a ‘burnt’ orange colour, looks fabulous.
Bubbles
Wow! Thanks so much! i really needed this in order to brave the new world of color this summer!
XOXO