How to Mix and Match Colors in Your Clothes The Ultimate Color Wheel Guide

After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, Pratima Ati jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing. She’s now a full-time Fashion & Lifestyle wri... more

How To Know What Colors To Match?

Using the right colors and matching them perfectly can be a deal maker. Choosing the perfect color for an outfit is what sets you apart. And, that’s why color and its theories continue to be the pivot for not just clothes, but everything else like interiors, hair, makeup, and much more.

To explain this further, let’s first understand the basis of this whole color theory.

The Color Wheel:

These comprise red, yellow, and blue. No two colors can be mixed to achieve these shades. Everything else is derived from these colors.

These colors are a combination of primary and secondary colors. By mixing these colors, you get shades like mint, aqua colors, corals, etc.

What Are The Principles For Matching Colors?

One fundamental principle for matching your clothes, or for that matter anything, is combining colors that work in harmony. And, that’s what we need to remember while designing or putting our outfits together.

Here’s how you can match them.

The combination of colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel is called ‘triadic.’ They look great together, but some might argue that they can be OTT. However, you can choose the muted shades of these colors to make your outfit. A pair of green cargos with a pastel pink top and powder blue accessories or shoes will look sophisticated and tasteful.

[ Read: How To Match Your Shoes With The Dress ]

Perfect Colour Combination For Dresses:

Keeping it in the family is a mantra you need to remember. The safest way to do this is by blending different shades of the same color. However, that will inevitably get monotonous and boring very soon. Remember how we discussed complementary colors? (Red and green, violet and yellow, blue and orange.) Play around with a combination of these colors; they will look great when put together.

Ombre is taking over everything from hairstyles and cakes to nail art and decor, and not to forget, outfits. Party-wear outfits, bridesmaid dresses or just a simple jeans and top in ombre can turn heads. Diminishing shades of the same color either in ascending or descending order works great. If you are sporting separates, you need to bring it all together with the top, bottom, shoes, and accessories being in sync. Wear ombre outfits for your Christmas or winter parties, goes perfectly with the theme, and the weather too.

It seems like a no-brainer because it’s just one color in the same shade for the entire outfit. However, it is the hardest to pull off, for obvious reasons. The good news is monochrome looks have caught up and are not considered weird anymore. Start with comfortable and neutral colors like greys, blues, whites, and blacks, then progress to pastel undertones. Monochrome looks can be customized depending on the season or occasion. If it’s a formal set up, stick to neutrals, blues or whites, otherwise explore the pastels, yellows or even brighter shades if you please.

If it’s a printed or patterned outfit, let the print take over. Prints and patterns are usually a combination of one or more colors, so you must leave it at that. Keep the accessories in the neighborhood; more colors only makes it clumsier and unruly.

Another trick of the trade is to balance out any colors you choose to mix carefully. Anything done proportionately is a foolproof way of coordinating your outfit. Like they say, too much of anything is good for nothing.

Some people just prefer being muted and subdued with their choice of colors, and end up opting for just the neutral shades. If this is you and you do not want to change drastically, go with one cool or warm color, and leave everything else neutral. It’s always best to keep it this way!

[ Read: How To Match Your Shoes With The Dress – Everything A Girl Should Know ]

Hope now you got an idea on how to match clothes the right way. Bringing it all together is what requires skill. Getting your basics right will help you make the right choices when it comes to colors, outfits, and eventually, your wardrobe. Get out of your whites-greys-blacks comfort zone – it’s liberating. Drop in a comment if you still have questions for us.

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