Using Color Theory to Style Your Outfits!
How we pair colors together in the outfits we wear can make or break the way we look. If you need help selecting colors to wear or pair together, try using "color theory," the art of the visual effects of a specific color combination! Here, are some color schemes you can use that follow the principles of color theory!
A color wheel is essential to creating color schemes. By utilizing the wheel, we can create analogous, complementary, triad, square, split-complementary, and tetrad color schemes.
To use the analogous color scheme, you just need to pair three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Some examples would include:
- Blue-purple, blue and blue-green
- Orange, yellow-orange and yellow
- Purple, red-purple and red
The Velvet Heart Talulla Tie Dye Dress uses an analogous color scheme, as it has yellow, yellow-green and green colors.
Wearing complementary colors is quite simple. Just select colors that are on the opposite side of the color wheel.
- Orange and blue
- Red and green
- Yellow-green and red-purple
Another flattering choice of colors would be a monochromatic scheme, meaning only using shades and tones of one color.
The Channing Brown Vest paired with the Richie Oat Sweater creates a stylish, sophisticated look using this simple color scheme.
A split-complementary color scheme consists of three colors. First, choose a base color, and add the two colors that sit adjacent to the complementary color of the base. There are twelve color combinations you can create using this scheme and some of which are:
- Red, blue-green and yellow-green
- Green, red-orange and red-purple
- Red-orange, blue and green
Our Dreya Floral Slip Midi Dress features red-orange, red-purple, and green colors that create a split-complementary color scheme.
Using a triadic color scheme requires you to find three colors evenly spaced out on the color wheel. Some triadic combinations are;
- Yellow, blue and red
- Purple, orange and green
- Yellow-orange, blue-green and red-purple
The Cindy Sleeveless Drop Waist Dress uses a triadic color scheme of red, yellow, and blue in a beautiful watercolor print.
To create the square color scheme, find four colors of equal distance from one another on the color wheel. Some examples might be:
- Red-purple, orange, yellow-green and blue
- Blue-green, purple, red-orange and yellow
- Red, blue, yellow-orange and green
The Emerson Olive Plaid Duster uses red-purple, blue, yellow-green and orange to create a square color scheme. (FYI: This versatile look can be worn as a duster or a dress)!
Lastly, the tetradic color scheme also requires four colors. Start by selecting two colors that are complementary on the color wheel. Next, use the two colors that are adjacent to each complementary color for the scheme, for example:
- Orange, yellow, blue and purple
- Red-orange, red-purple, blue-green and yellow-green
Now it’s your turn. Get started by checking out our New Arrivals to find stylish pieces in color combinations you’ll love!
