It’s pretty relatable that many of us tend to lack colour in our wardrobes!
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Wearing only black is more common than you think, with many of us only sticking to wearing colours that are deemed “safe” to wear. Think neutral colours like navy, grey, beige, tan, cream, white, black and brown.
Although it is tempting to play it “safe”, adding colour to our wardrobes helps us to:
Set our style apart from everyone else
Enhance our skin complexion, hair and eye colour (particularly by wearing colours that harmonise with our features)
Create inner positive emotions that make us feel good about ourselves. Let’s be honest, I don’t think there are many people who could look at the colour yellow and not feel happy!
Want to learn more?
Here are eight easy ways to add a splash of colour to your outfits:
One: Shoes and Bags:
Do you find coordinating colours overwhelming and feel safer wearing neutral coloured clothes (such as a black dress or a cream jumper paired with navy trousers)? If so, there is a simple way you can begin to introduce more colour into your outfits.
You can do this by wearing a coloured pair of shoes, paired with a matching colour handbag. Although just to clarify, when I say coloured I’m not just talking about bright colours, I mean pastels and more muted shades too.
Alternatively for an even bolder look, you could try complimenting a neutral coloured outfit with a pair of shoes in a contrasting colour to your chosen handbag. Think pairing a pair of yellow pumps with a purple Hermes bag.
What you ultimately choose depends on which colours you personally prefer. So, your choice!
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Two: Winter Accessories (Scarves, Hats and Gloves):
During the winter months it is always tempting to wear “safe” colours like black and grey, as opposed to the brighter colours usually worn in the Spring and Summer months. However, a great way of brightening up any cold, frosty morning is by accessorising with a coloured scarf; a matching pair of gloves and even a woollen hat or earmuffs. Neutral colours (like black, grey, navy, white, cream, brown and tan) can be easily coordinated with almost any other colour, so feel free to experiment.
You could add chicness (as well as a pop of colour) to your Spring and Summer outfits by accessorising with a silk scarf and sun hat
Tip: wear scarves, hats and earmuffs in your “wow” colours, as these will best compliment your complexion, hair and eye colour.
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Three: Jewellery:
A good way of adding small amounts of colour to your outfits is by wearing jewellery pieces (i.e. necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings) that complement your outfit’s existing colours and occasion. For instance, you may look a little out of place wearing massive diamond earrings to a casual event…
If you have a more creative or dramatic style, then try accessorising with bold coloured, statement necklaces or with layering different coloured necklaces together.
If you have a more classic, romantic or natural style, then try experimenting with delicate, coloured pendants. Hint…gemstones are always a good way to start if you’re a little unsure.
Again like when choosing scarves, try and find necklaces and earrings in colours that enhance your complexion, rather than clash with it.
Four: Discover Your Wow Colours:
Our individual hair colour, eye colour, skin tone and undertone; influence which specific colours (when worn near our face) will harmonise with our features and which will contrast and overwhelm us.
Wearing the right colours near your face will:
Add a radiant glow to your face and soften your features
Give your face a fresher, younger appearance
Soften and camouflage fine lines, dark circles and blemishes
Enhance your hair and eye colour
Ensure people notice you (and not just the colour)
Help you feel more confident about yourself
Whereas, wearing the wrong colours will:
Create the appearance of dark shadows on your neck and chin
Draw attention to dark circles under your eyes
Make your complexion appear uneven and blotchy
Result in the colour standing out more than you (something which we want to avoid)
Make you appear drained, sick and tired
Accentuate any fine lines and blemishes present
To get an idea of whether a colour looks good on you, stand in front of a mirror in natural daylight; hold the item near your face and observe whether the colour harmonises or contrasts with your features. Just so you know, you can wear any colour you like on your lower body. So don’t panic if you love orange, but feel it doesn’t best compliment your complexion; you can wear it as a skirt or pair of trousers.
Note: a colour analysis can help you to discover a full list of colours that best enhance and harmonise with your complexion, eye and hair colour.
Five: Use The Colour Wheel For Colour Combo Inspiration:
If you feel a little stuck when it comes to combining different colours together within your outfits, then feel free to use the colour wheel for combo inspiration. I’m sure many of you remember the colour wheel from your art classes at school, but it can be used for more than just a guide for mixing paint colours up; it is an incredibly useful tool for seeing how different colours harmonise with each other within our outfits.
Here are some common colour schemes that you can begin to experiment with:
Complimentary colour scheme – i.e. two colours that are directly opposite each other on the wheel. Think yellow and violet; red and green; red-purple and yellow-green, to name a few.
Monochromatic colour scheme – this calming colour combination consists of tints, tones and shades of a single colour, like green or blue. Tip: start with a neutral base for your outfit (such as a cream jumper) and pair with other items in different tints, tones and shades of blue, like a pair of dark denim jeans; mid blue handbag and pair of shoes and a light blue pendant.
Triadic colour scheme – you can create a high contrast look by combining three colours that are equally distanced from each other on the colour wheel. One example includes yellow, blue and red. Tip: choose one dominant colour for your outfit and use the other two as smaller, accent colours for a dramatic, yet sophisticated look.
Analogous colour scheme – you can create this colour scheme with three colours located next to each other on the colour wheel for a harmonising, yet energetic look (think yellow, yellow-orange and yellow-red). Tip: choose one dominant colour for your outfit (your dress); the second one as your secondary colour (your handbag and shoes) and the third one as your accent colour (your necklace and earrings).
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Six: Experiment With Lip Colours:
A great way of adding a splash of colour to your look is by wearing lipstick. It can take some time experimenting to find a lipstick shade and type (i.e. matte or glossy) that best harmonises with your complexion and style.
Tip: also feel free to experiment with your eyeshadow colours, adding a pop of colour works pretty well for evening occasions and can take your look from day to night.
Seven: Pair Bright’s With Neutrals:
If you ever feel stuck with adding colour, then try incorporating just one coloured clothing item into your outfit. I’m quite a fan of pairing dark denim jeans with a brightly coloured top, jumper or cardigan, since this is a simple way of adding a pop of colour to a more casual outfit.
Also a more budget friendly solution would be to create a wardrobe capsule (let’s say for your smart casual occasions) full of neutral coloured core items (such as a pair of dark denim jeans and a black coat), before adding two to three coloured tops that can be mixed and matched to create several colourful outfits.
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Eight: Buy Staple Items In Different Colours:
If you find an item you like (such as a camisole top, t-shirt or cardigan), then feel free to buy it in several different colours. Doing this will not only help you add some variety to your wardrobe, but can also be adapted for different seasons and occasions by simply changing the accessories you choose to style your outfit with.
Plus, it’s a great step towards building a stylish, yet budget-friendly wardrobe.
To Finish…
Learning how to add more colour to your wardrobe will not only make you feel more inspired with your outfits and excited to develop your own unique style; but will help you to feel more confident about yourself.
Ultimately, colour is a great feel good factor and the best part…it can be added in an affordable way, through carefully thought out purchases and experimenting with colourful accessories. Just remember to have fun when doing so.
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