Many people have heard of colour theory, whether that’s in a school art class or on Instagram, but many do not know what it really entails and how they can apply it to everyday life. Colour theory, or more specifically traditional colour theory, is the knowledge of describing the behaviour of colours. This means describing how colours mix, how colours contrast or harmonise and the symbolism of colours. It’s usually associated with art, painting and other creative mediums; however, it can be applied to other areas of a person’s life, most notably dressing.
It can be difficult to add a bit of colour into your wardrobe, even if it’s something you really want to do. Do these colours go together? Is it too much? Are common questions when styling colour or trying to branch out into more colourful clothing. In the end, most just stick to styling with neutral colours, confused and deflated. But it doesn’t have to be this way. When you learn the rules of colour theory, styling colours can become easy, so you can add colour into your life every day.
So, if you want to add splashes of colour into your life and want to know how you can do this, just follow this guide, and you can start dressing how you want to.
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Understanding colour theory
Colour theory is the foundation of creating visually interesting and stylish outfits that stand out and help you feel confident. At the heart of any colour theory is the colour wheel, which is a widely used guide that shows the relationship between colours. It organises colours into the three main groups: primary, secondary and tertiary and depending there whereabouts on the wheel, whether they are complementary, monochromatic or analogous.
These colours are also organised into warm tones and cool tones. Warm tones include red and oranges whereas cool tone colours include blues and purples. Neutral colours such as blacks, browns and whites act as a foundational colour that can pair well with almost every colour.
Understanding these principles first and foremost can act as a foundational guide for anyone who wants to start wearing colours, as it shows colours that style well together and ones that should be avoided, all in one wheel, with more neutral colours acting as a base for any outfit, whether this be a neutral top with a bright skirt or a pair of neutral trousers with a more colourful top.
Finding the colours that suit you best
Everybody has a warm, cool and neutral undertone just like colours do. This can dictate which colours suit you or amplify a personal appearance. A personal witha warm undertone may suit colours such as red and yellow, whilst a person who is more cool toned may want to wear blues instead. Those who are neutral can wear any colours on the wheel; however, hair colour and eye colour can also affect which colours a person wears.
To check undertones, you should look at the veins in your wrist. If they are green, this means that you have warm tones, but if they are blue, this can mean that you are cool toned. However, it’s best to experiment with colour to find the ones that not just suit you but make you feel confident about yourself.
Applying colour theory to everyday outfits
Understanding colour theory is one thing, but it’s another thing to actually implement it into your outfits. However, by using simple colour combinations you can create outfits that look more polished, balanced and put together without needing an entirely new wardrobe.
One of the simplest techniques is monochromatic dressing, in which you wear different shades of the same colour, such as pairing a light blue top with a pair of navy trousers or jeans. This can help to create a sophisticated and put-together look whilst also adding depth.
Neutral colours including black, beige and grey should not be ignored, however, as they are an integral part of dressing with colour. They act as a foundation that allows statement colours to stand out without overwhelming the overall look. This could look like pairing a bright red blazer with black trousers or a statement green jacket with a neutral bag.
Another effective approach is using complementary colours that sit opposite each other on the wheel, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow, to create an eye-catching contrast. If wearing two bright complementary colours feels overwhelming, especially the first few times wearing colour, then adding colour in the form of an accessory such as a bag, scarf or jewellery is also an option. Some women even like to add in colour through makeup, matching their lip liner colour or eyeshadow to a look.
