Style Tips

Color matching guide

By Nina | May 20, 2014

One of the most difficult situations irritating us every morning when looking for clothes in our wardrobe is the color matching. Does my purple blouse match the orange skirt? Does my brown trousers match with a green top and a black jacket? If you did not know that the answer to all this questions is NO, then now it is time to read further and discover the color matching rules that will make your life much more easier.

Indeed there are person who have an additional feeling but others really need some help.

The concept behind color coordination is simple: colors have natural associations, which strengthens or diminishes their shade power. This rule is based on the color wheel – the graphical representation of how colors are formed – so once you understand it, combining and matching colors will become a very easy task. OK, maybe not so simple as you want, but definitely less mysterious.

The color wheel

Tertiary colors are formed from a mixture of a secondary color with a primary color, adjacent to it. Different colors may result, depending on the quantities used of each color. For example:

Rules:

1. Primary and secondary colors, that are next to each other in the color wheel, are considered similar to each other I. (Eg. blue is similar to green and purple, orange is similar to red and yellow). These colors can be blended with each other and often have a reciprocal effect of mitigation.

2. Primary and secondary colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel are considered complementary colors. (Eg. blue complements orange, purple with yellow, red with green). They are called this way because they complement the colors and stand out even stronger side by side, rather than separately.

3. If you have a piece of clothing that contains several colors, the rule is to match only one of these colors, which usually is the majority.

4. It is not advisable to try to match different color patterns. A striped shirt of many colors will not look too aesthetically if matched with a skirt with red dots. Even though there are many designers who does not follow this rule, such a combination does not look good even on thin silhouettes of models.

Black&White

Can be matched with: any color

Technically speaking, these two “colors” are not colors. Actually, white is the total absence of color combined with maximum luminosity. On the other hand, black is formed from a mixture of all colors of a maximum of darkness. These two colors are the only ones that can be assorted with any other colors and even with each other, being the exceptions that prove the rule. White has a tendency to bring out the matched colors, while black takes their harshness.

Red

Can be matched with: white, black, red, purple, orange, green

When you want to match the red color, it is much more easy to mach all shades of red, but darker, as tile color. As similar colors, red has purple and orange and therefore you can match red with shades of these colors, but not darker or lighter. The complementary color for red is green and you can match them as long as you choose more subdued shades, not intense because this way you will accentuate these 2 colors in an unaesthetic mode. Beware not to match red with blue and yellow, these can be matched only when the blue shades are more close to purple and yellow shades to orange.

Blue

Can be matched with: white, black, blue, green, purple, orange

Like the red color, it is good to combine blue with darker shades of blue. Green and purple are similar colors and can match perfectly shades of green and violet with darker shades of blue. Orange is the complementary color to blue, and combining them will intensify the shade of orange. Beware not to match blue with red and yellow, these may be matched only when the shades of red and purple are directed toward the shades of yellow to green.

Yellow

Can be matched with: white, black, yellow, green, orange, purple

Yellow is a very difficult color because it tends to be too intense. Therefore, it is recommended to use paler shades of yellow or pastel (the neon is very difficult). Similar colors of yellow are green and orange and for an aesthetic effect, is best to choose lighter shades, a very dark shade will highlight even more the intensity of yellow. The complementary color of yellow is purple, but you must be careful when you match them, one will not have to be more intense than the other, it can take over and produce an unsightly effect. You choose them both intense or both lighter. Beware to not match yellow with red and blue, these can be matched only when the shades of red and orange are directed toward shades of blue to green.

For an elegant look, combine a yellow handbag with a black stiletto shoes.

Green

Can be matched with: white, black, green, blue, yellow, red

The secret for matching the green color is to choose the right shade of it. If you choose a shade of green found in nature (khaki, olive, emerald, etc..), you can match it with almost any color. Similar colors are blue green and yellow, and green is a perfect match if colors are not very intense. Complementary color of green is red, and can be matched very well if you keep the normal spectrum and do not choose too intense shades. Beware to not match green with purple and orange, these can be matched only when the shades of blue and purple are directed toward shades of orange to yellow.

Purple

Can be matched with: white, black, purple, blue, red, yellow

Matching the purple color has almost the same rules as matching blue. Match darker shades of purple, it’s more simple. Shades of blue and and red are similar to purple and can be matched best when they are kept at the same level of intensity, especially when purple is the darkest shade of clothing. The complementary color of purple is yellow, but you have to match it to the same intensity because if one color is more intense, it can seize and cause an unaesthetic effect. Choose them both intense or both lighter. Beware not to match purple with green and orange, they can be matched only when the shades of blue and green are directed toward shades of orange to red.

Orange

Can be matched with: white, black, orange, red, yellow, blue

Orange is another “dangerous”color in terms of matching, because it tends to be far too intense and garish. Therefore, it is recommended to choose lighter or darker orange shades and match them with its similar colors: red and yellow. Brown was born from orange and is a color that can be matched easily. Complementary color of orange is blue, but must be kept in the shade so as to not transform the orange color into something too flashy. Beware to not match orange with green and purple, these can be matched only when the shades of green are directed toward yellow and shades of violet to red.