4 Ways to Make a Color Blocked Outfit

What is Color Blocking?

First things first, the term "Color Blocking" simply means wearing several solid items in different colors. It can be just two colors or a few. It might seem scary to try if you’re more of a jeans+tee girl, but it's actually pretty simple if you follow a few guidelines.

Style Types

Before we talk about how to do Color Blocking, let’s make sure it’s right for your personal style. For example, an Editorial, Glam, or even Sleek Chic style type would look great in Color Blocking, but a Bohemian or Edgy type would rarely do it.

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If you’re new here, I’m Missy of Simplified Wardrobe, an Ethical Personal Stylist & Capsule Wardrobe Curator. I help ambitious and eco-conscious womxn who want to look great, feel confident, and simplify their lives.

Find more information about personal style, capsule wardrobes, and color analysis over on Instagram. You can also download my free 10-page Guide to Defining your Personal Style.

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1. Complimentary Colors

Complimentary colors are just that—complimentary! They look great together because they are perfectly opposite and thus perfectly balanced, like yin and yang. Determine complimentary colors by using a color wheel and finding the colors that are exactly (or almost exactly) across from one another. Keep in mind, you don’t have to wear the brightest, most saturated versions of these colors.

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2. Analogous Colors

Combining analogous colors is one of the easiest ways to venture into color blocking. Since the colors are similar, it’s a lot like monochromatic dressing. Similar to determining complimentary colors, use a color to find colors that are right next to each other to pair together, like blue and green or red and purple. The look of analogous colors is inherently less bold because there isn’t as much contrast between the colors.

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3. Muted Colors

If the look of two (or three) bold colors is a little too much for you, or if high contrast colors aren’t in your personal color palette, don’t panic! You can still try color blocking, you’ll just want to wear muted (added gray), tinted (added white), or toned (added black) versions to make the color pairing a little softer and less “in your face.”

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4. Add a Neutral

If all the color allover is a little too much for you and you feel the need to tone it down due to your own personal style or coloring, you can always add a neutral into the mix. If your outfit is made of cool colors, go with taupe, gray, white, black, or even navy. If it’s primarily warm, use chocolate brown, camel, cream, or even navy (yes—navy is pretty much universally flattering!)

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Are you ready to try wearing more color, but not sure which colors make you look your best?

It can be difficult to know which colors look best on us. You might have a slight idea: for example, maybe everyone always says you look great in red. However, not all reds are created equal. I’ve written several guides to figuring out your undertones and overtones, finding your depth, chroma, and contrast, and finding your best patterns.

If you’re interested in having a professional color analysis or just want more information on the benefits, check out my professional personal color analysis services.

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