Recently, while I was working with brushes in front of the canvas for my new exhibition, it suddenly came to my mind. Many of my friends ask me how to combine colors in fashion That’s a good question. Of course, the harmony of colors is very important. Because if you know combining colors, you will not only look more stylish, but you will also shop much more efficiently and enjoyably than you think.
After the pandemic, like many others, I changed my consumption habits. I have become careful to buy fewer but better quality products. Combining colors in clothing is actually not a very difficult concept for me when my artistic spirit and imagination combine. But there is also a scientific side. So when you ask which color goes with which color, the answer is not that simple.
In fact, we all have closets full to the brim. In fact, according to a study in France, we only wear 36% of the clothes in our closet. The rest is waiting in the closet! The reason is very simple, we can’t match what we have with each other, we can’t make original combinations because we don’t know how to combine colors.
As you know, I graduated from Marmara University Academy of Fine Arts. There is a tool known and used in the graphic arts: The Color Wheel. This tool, which I use frequently in my paintings, designs and image consultancy projects, is actually completely scientific.
Let’s take a look at how to capture the harmony of colors with this valuable tool.
What is the Color Wheel?
Sir Isaac Newton is best known for his work on universal gravitation and the laws of motion. But it is little known that he applied the same scientific approach to color. Studies under the name of color theory have been going on for years. So much so that by the end of the eighteenth century, color theory had become increasingly tied to psychological theories and typologies (methods of identifying and distinguishing human types). These studies led to the development of the color wheel, the representation of how colors relate to one another. This scientific work helps us artists and designers significantly to create a certain look or feel.
The color wheel consists of primary, secondary and complementary colors.
Primary Colors
The main colors on the color wheel are red, blue and yellow. These are colors that cannot be obtained by mixing other colors. They are called primary colors because they are unique.
Secondary Colors
These secondary colors result directly from a mixture between the primary colors. Secondary colors are purple, orange and green on the color wheel.
Tertiary Colors
It comes from a mixture between primary color and secondary color. It is often referred to as a complementary color. Like Lime Green (combination of yellow + green)
The use of primary colors together fatigues the eye. You can also use a combination of primary and secondary colors. If you want to add a third color, go with something neutral like black, beige, white, or gray. You can also think of gold and silver as complementary colors.
How to Mix and Match Colors with the Color Wheel?
First, take all your clothes out of the closet. Then imagine color combinations according to the color wheel. To do this, visualize the connection of primary color + secondary color or primary color + tertiary color.
Attention, you have to be very careful if you don’t want to look like a parrot. To begin creating outfits with secondary colors, take inspiration from the close colors on the color wheel. Use complementary colors next to it to add some vibrancy.
Simply pair a color with one of the two hues adjacent to its complement. For instance, you can pair blue and orange or burgundy and green.
Another option for color harmony in clothing is to combine neutral colors with bright colors. Like black and gold, beige and flag red. If your outfit is tone-on-tone, you can add vibrancy with colorful accessories. Other answers to the question of how to combine bolder colors: pink and gold, dark red and navy blue, red and orange. And of course my favorites, purple and yellow.
Complementary Colors Combinations
For an energizing effect, you can choose two diametrically opposed colors on the color wheel. However, you need to be careful here because it can make you look shorter and thicker than you are.
Triadic Color Combinations
If you want to look very energetic, this time try the harmony of 3 equally spaced colors on the color disc. How?
Three harmonious colors are three shades that are equidistant from each other. To find them, simply draw an equilateral triangle (three equal sides). Each point of the triangle shows you three colors you can combine. For example: purple – orange – green
How To Combine Two Tone Colors?
Combine black, white or gray with a contrasting color for a chic and sophisticated effect.
Combine Color Tones In Harmony
Use several colors with similar shades together. For example: midnight blue + electric blue + sky blue or brown + salmon + cream. Our aim is to achieve the effect we call gradient color. This is a very useful tip! This is very important tip, especially for women who are short and/or overweight. With the right combination of color tones, you can create an optical illusion and look slimmer and taller.
Pastel Colors Combination
If you want a romantic and feminine look, you can easily combine pastel shades with each other. For example, lilac, light yellow, aqua green, sky blue, tan pink… It is always harmonious and you can easily achieve the desired effect.
Most Preferred Color Combinations
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are, of course, foolproof color schemes.
- Navy blue with warm colors like red, orange, yellow
- Electric blue with neutral colors such as beige, gray, dark brown
- Turquoise, blue green, aqua green and purple with grays
- Dark green, gray, brown and orange
- Lilac and powder pink
- Water green and gray
Do not think of these combinations only to mix and match colors in fashion. Apply it to your choice of accessories, bags and shoes. It can even give you good ideas for home decoration.
How To Combine Colors In Fashion?
First let me tell you something! Not every composition suits everyone. Both your body structure and your character come into play here. For example, too strong color contrasts can make you look thicker than you really are because they cut the silhouette. So consider your body structure.
And then there is carrying the colors. In other words, we feel happy in some colors, while others don’t suit us at all. For example, someone with a timid nature would not feel comfortable in strong compositions. Extravert characters, on the contrary, feel full of energy in colorful color combinations.
This is where image consultancy comes into play. There is so much strange and absurd advice about color harmony that it boggles my mind. Which color goes with which color is best answered by artists and style consultants who have the spirit of creativity. In the many projects I have undertaken as an image and style consultant, I have always paid attention to taking into account the character, lifestyle and body morphology of the person I am consulting. If you have any questions about image consulting, you can CONTACT me at any time.
When someone says ‘come and let me remake you’, you should be a little cautious. The style consultant should know your character very well and have a keen eye for color harmony. Because even if the color harmony it creates is very successful, this work will be useless if you don’t feel happy. Remember that fashion is a game, and when the rules are followed correctly, it is the most enjoyable way to express yourself.
The vital point is to be unique and stylish while never losing your uniqueness. To be fashionable, first listen to your inner voice and then follow my tips.
I’d like to finish my article with a quote from Mademoiselle, the fashion queen.
“The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.”
– Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel
With love,
