CFNN Reporter, Faith Harden – Drake.

Picking out outfits that look good can be really difficult on its own, especially when it comes to the different combinations of colors that come into play. Where some people can instinctively choose colors that go well together, others work better with guidelines, now that’s where color theory comes in. 

“Changing or challenging your color choices can be one of the most uplifting things to change in your wardrobe. It can change your mood, change your impression, change how other people see you,” says Tonya Blasio-Licorish, a research assistant at the Met and lecturer at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In basic terms color theory is a guidance tool to help with the mixing of a specific color combination. The color wheel serves as one of the foundations for many color rules in fashion. The color wheel itself looks as follows: 

It’s important to keep in mind that colors often have a relationship with each other, this is why some colors can be jarring to look at next to each other. Such as orange and green. While others look clean and crisp, such as violets and whites. Depending on how you choose your color palette can make or break an entire outfit. 

Different colors can also bring out different sets of emotions and features in people. Like how green is often held in correlation with envy. Stores and popular name brands often use this in their advertising to make you have some emotional reaction to the items being bought. Just as these brands use it, you can cooperate that into your style. Studying the psychological effects that colors have can drastically improve your own sense of fashion. 

Below is an outline of different colors that look good together, that you could use in outfits. It’s important to note that you can wear most colors with shades of black, white, or grey, due to the fact that it’s considered to be neutrals. That don’t have colors themselves. 

Complementary colors

Complementary colors are the colors that are the exact opposite on the color wheel such as orange and blue, purple and yellow, and red and green. These colors help bring out each other by adding contrast, giving an almost electrifying look.

Analogous colors

Analogous colors are colors that belong beside each other on the color chart. Analogous outfits are easy to put together, in fact, you probably already have analogous colors in your wardrobe. To create an analogous outfit, just put three colors together that are close on the color wheel.

Triadic colors

Triadic colors are three colors spaced evenly on a color wheel. These colors help balance each other out, not overpowering each other, allowing for one congruent look to be achieved. These colors may not be vibrant, but it maintains harmony through your outfit.

Monochromatic colors 

Monochromatic color schemes focus is on just one color. You’d wear one simple color, head to toe. It’s more difficult to pull off because you’d need a precise match in color, for each clothing item. Colors like black, white, and beige are easier to pull this look off though. 

Tonal colors

Tonal colors are very similar to monochromatic colors, but besides just being a singular color, it also incorporates different tones of the same color. Tone is how light or dark a color is. Staying in the same color but switching tones helps create a sense of harmony though your outfit while still switching it up a bit.