I have been very interested in fashion since I was a kid. Until recently I compared fashion with spending lots of money on fashion items, because I felt like I had to keep up with all the fashion trends. This means, that I don’t know how many times I have received a package with clothing or thrown out clothing without any consideration for our world. The last two years of studying fashion has made me realise how damaging these actions have been, and I now know that I have a responsibility to consciously consider these actions, meaning that I have to give up my deal-hunting habits and take a good look on the fashion items I once bought for a reason – and rediscover the love for them, as well as teach you to do it.
Over the recent couple of years, colourful clothing has been my biggest interest. The reason for this is because I noticed how colours had a great impact on my mood – in other words: colours make me happy. Because of this I have a colourful closet, which I sadly don’t use to its full potential. I know that this is because I need knowledge on how to style different colours instead of playing it safe and pairing one color with a neutral as white. Though this post I will therefore rediscover my closet, which you will see through the attached pictures.
A small study from 2015 discovered that most men and women prefer black garments. This neutral is therefore one of the colours that we use the most, meaning that a lot colourful clothing could be hiding in a lot of closets. I personally think that colors are an essential part of a closet, and because of this I want to encourage people to start using colours, because as the research assistant at the Met and lecturer at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Tonya Blazio-Licorish, explains “Changing or challenging your color choices can be one of the most uplifting things to change in your wardrobe. It can change your mood, change your impression, change how other people see you” (Chou, 2016). I will guide you through the colour theory and hopefully get you set on how to start exploring the colors in your closets.
The colour theory is a guidance tool to help with the mixing of a specific colour combination. The colour wheel, which was invented in 1666 by Isaac Newton, is the basis of the colour theory, because it shows the relationship between the colours. The colour wheel can together with the rules of colour combinations, be used to determine colour harmonies (Canva). The colour theorist, Marcie Cooperman explains that “When viewed simultaneously, colors have an effect on each other”, as well as “So when you’re pairing clothes, you have to think about what your goal is”. So, whether your goal is to look subtle, conservative, electrifying, congruent, like you are wearing a family of colours or wonderfully surprising, the colour combination rules explained and visualised through photos below, might be helpful (Chou, 2016).
Complementary colour combination are two colours, that are on the opposite sides of the colour wheel, meaning that when styling these colours, a high contrast and high impact colour combination is provided. These colours could be orange and blue, red and green or purple and yellow, which is easy to pair and gives your outfit an almost electrifying look (Capefearnews, 2021), (Canva).
Analogous colour combination are colours that are side by side on the color wheel. These outfits are easy to pull off, and they are good to use, if you are not into making a statement with your clothing. Cooperman explains analogous colours as “These feel really good together, because they have something in common. So blue, purple: both have blue. Red and purple. Yellow with orange. They just feel like they’re a part of a family”. (Chou, 2016), (Capefearnews).
Triadic colour combination are three colours that are evenly spaced on the colour wheel. These colours help balance each other without overpowering each other, meaning that it gives a congruent look (Capefearnews, 2021). Marcie Cooperman explains this combination as “They are very strong combinations” and “It might feel surprising, because people might not expect to see those three together, but it could look really wonderful together” (Chou, 2016).
Split complimentary colour combination are three colours where one primary color and two colours adjacent to its complement creates a well contrasted outfit compared to the complimentary colour combination, as described above (Olesen, u.d.).
Tonal colour combination are three shades, tones and tints of one base colour, that provides a subtle and conservative colour combination. This colour combination therefore creates a harmonious look (Capefearnews, 2021).
Colour combination is like food, you do not have to like it, but it is important that you taste it to know whether you like it or not. So, if these colour combinations are a little too much for you, then start out by pairing your colours with neutrals as black, white and grey. The most important thing is, to use the things you have in your wardrobe.
Bibliography
de Castro, O. (2021). Mending Is a State of Mind. In O. de Castro, Loved Clothes Last. United Kingdom: Penguin Life.
Canva. (n.d.). Color theory and the color wheel. Retrieved October 2021, from Canva: https://www.canva.com/colors/color-wheel/
Capefearnews. (2021, March 22). Color theories affect on Fashion. Retrieved October 2021, from Cape Fear News Network: https://capefearnn.com/2021/03/22/color-theories-affect-on-fashion/
Chou, J. (2016, November 1). The Color Combinations That Will Transform Your Outfit. Retrieved October 2021, from Refinery29: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/color-wheel-creative-outfit-combinations#slide-1
Olesen, J. (n.d.). What Are Split-Complementary Colors? Best Ways to Use This Color Scheme. Retrieved October 2021, from Color Meanings by Jacob Olesen: https://www.color-meanings.com/split-complementary-colors/
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