Complimentary Colors & Your Wardrobe
Want a more DYNAMIC wardrobe? Try pairing complementary colors! Two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel that enhance each other are called Complimentary Colors. For example, if you draw a straight line from red to the opposite side of the wheel, you’ll land on green. These two colors, when paired, create a bold contrast that’s visually striking. It’s the same with purple and yellow, or blue and orange. Together, these combinations naturally *pop*.
Here are some ideas on how you can create outfits by swapping out your tried and true blacks with a complimentary color.
Men
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Men: Complimentary Colors
• Gents, your colors can be limited sometimes. Defintiely lots of navys, blues, blacks, greys and browns. But if you are ready to push your wardrobe colors a little further then you will be loving these ideas below. (These finds are all from J.Hilburn Men's Custom Clothier, who I partner with to offer custom and personalized wardrobe options to men. If you want to become a client, please reach out so we can get you measured!)
Gents, your colors can be limited sometimes. Defintiely lots of navys, blues, blacks, greys and browns. But if you are ready to push your wardrobe colors a little further then you will be loving these ideas below.
(These finds are all from J.Hilburn Men's Custom Clothier, who I partner with to offer custom and personalized wardrobe options to men. If you want to become a client, please reach out so we can get you measured!)
Gents, black and brown can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With a teal think reds and pinks, or reddish orange accessories
Gents, black and brown can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With a teal think reds and pinks, or reddish orange accessories like you see in this outfit. The colors instantly brighten the whole look
Gents, black and brown can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With a Greens and olives think reds and reddish orange accessories. See how adding those color accessories and shirt changes how the green sportcoat looks. You could even keep the shirt white and just stick with the reddish brown accessories to get the same effect.
Gents, black and brown can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With a Greens and olives think reds and reddish orange accessories
Gents, tans and browns can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With reds and reddish orange, think green and greenish hued items.
Gents, tans and browns can go with a lot, but don't forget that adding a complimentary color item can create a whole new outfit and look. With reds and reddish orange, think green and greenish hued items. See how this burgundy in this jacket stands out and looks more vibrant by pairing with greens in the pants and shirt. Of course you can stick with a white shirt and go with the dark green pants OR go with the green shirt and do a honey tan pants like in the previous look.
Women: Complimentary Color dressing
• Ladies, it's so easy to fall into the trap that black goes with everything. OR that neutrals are the only way to dress if you want to keep your wardrobe easy. These can be true, but not the full truth! You absolutely can create a wardrobe that uses blacks and neutrals but by adding a few key colors you can add more pop and variety to your current wardrobe. Check out how we can take an outfit to nice to Wow!
Ladies, it's so easy to fall into the trap that black goes with everything. OR that neutrals are the only way to dress if you want to keep your wardrobe easy. These can be true, but not the full truth! You absolutely can create a wardrobe that uses blacks and neutrals but by adding a few key colors you can add more pop and variety to your current wardrobe. Check out how we can take an outfit to nice to Wow!
While this look absolutely works and still very chic, you can see in the 2nd look using blue's complimentary color, orange, how it can make the outfit pop and add a little more personality to the outfit.
The addition of orange into the outfit completely brightened this look up. The orange make the blue pop, and by adding accessories in blue and gold you keep everything cohesive without too much color.
Black is timeless but it can flatten beautiful bright colors. While this is a solid outfit. Swapping the black jacket or accessories with something in a color closer to green you can really take this look to new heights.
Adding this peacock green jacket with the pink color immediately changed the vibe of the outfit. I added the nude heels for less contrast but kept the mixed metals accessories. 2 simple changes took this outfit from everyday to an outfit with personality.
Animal print isn't going anywhere and I know it can be tough look at matching it with any other colors than black or white or tans. As you can see, those colors can pair beautifully, but what if we style using the complimentary colors method?
Instead of seeing this leopard print skirt in only black, white, brown and tans, look a little closer. The browns in the spots are more orange and since we know blues compliment orange, then you know you can dress this skirt up using blues! I went with a denim blue and tan accessories to keep the outfit bright and fun.
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