How-To: Colorblocking Basics

The principles of color-blocking are, like any style principles, up for creative interpretation. That being said, there are certain guidelines that will make it easier to achieve the look with confidence. 

First things first: some visual aids:

Now, those above examples may seem inaccessible, but they are the prototype for a look you may achieve in much simpler terms. You should know where you're coming from in order to create an alternative route. Take the extreme factor down a couple notches, maintain inspiration, and you can create outfits with more wear-ability for your daily life. 


Let's start with the basics: color. 
Here are a couple easy formulas to use in color-blocking:



2 neutrals + 1 bright
     Examples: navy + grey + hot pink
                        black + tan + bright orange
                        white + navy + lime green                


2 brights + 1 neutral 
     Examples: violet + kiwi + black
                        daffodil + cerulean + grey
                        lilac + sky blue + navy

As I stated on Monday, use large blocks of solid color to create drama in your outfit. Usually there are three main colors, though it may be done with 2 or more than 3, when calculated well. 

Here's a great tool from Style Prompt to give you a starting point:

“The most popular theory for combining colors is called the rule of two-thirds. How you achieve the rule of two-thirds starts by making an equilateral triangle (a triangle with 3 equal sides) on the color wheel… From there, you pick two of the three colors that the triangle touches. These colors will almost always harmonize together beautifully.”

Basically, choose a color on this wheel, skip three colors to the right or left, and those two will marry well in clothing. Obviously, not every color is represented in this wheel, so once you're comfortable with the concept, branch out to varying shades just a couple steps off what you see here. 


It's also about the silhouette of your clothing. Colorblocking has the most dramatic effect when done with very simple pieces--a boxy top, a straight skirt, a wide belt. 
Generally, it loses its effect if done with floaty/light fabrics and designs. This is because the cut of the clothes needs to be in balance with the pattern or color they are given. The graphic extreme of a straight skirt and a simple top is lost if the skirt has to compete with a frilly top. The details need to create cohesion, not cacophony. 


That's not to say you can't wear a piece with embellishment when colorblocking, but the key is to let the color speak as loud as the design. Take the first picture in this post, for example: the third outfit from the left and the third outfit from the right both use a ruffled top--but the ruffles blend into the top, they are not further set apart by a border or trim. 


The same idea goes for accessories. A bracelet or necklace is a great low-risk way to introduce a little color into your look. To interpret it into the topic at hand, find a very simple, but obvious piece--something with substance, but not show-stealing. 

Think of it this way: in colorblocking, a bold bangle will get you a lot further than a chandelier earring. Keep the design geometric and add some sparkle to your colorblocking!