Outfit Colours: How to Know Which Colours Match

So this week we are going to continue with the topic of colours and build on last week's topic of the maximum number of outfit colours. I had made the assumption that we knew how to match colours, which isn't always an easy task. And especially in the last number of years I believe we have colour combinations in clothing that we haven't seem to have in the past e.g. browns with blues and browns with pinks (I'll have to do a blog on historical colours at some point :) ).

So, in saying that, it's sometimes hard to know which colours match.

A couple of key resources to determine if certain colours match:

1. Copy colour matching examples from photos of outfits in magazines, pinterest.com, polyvore.com etc.

2. Use the colour wheel (use the known colour harmonies/chords)

We will focus on the colour wheel today. First we'll talk about some fundamental basics, and then discuss how to apply that knowledge and a most lovely tool to choose outfit colours.

*Sir Issac Newton created the first colour wheel or colour circle in 1666

*Most common colour wheel is the 12 colours wheel based on the RYB (Red Yellow Blue) colour model

*Matching colour combinations, also called colour harmonies or chords consist of 2+ colours that have a fixed relationship on the wheel (so you can apply that relationship to any colour and have another colour harmony/chords

*The colour wheel consists of primary, secondary & tertiary colours:

             *The primary colours are red, yellow & blue

              *The secondary colours are orange, purple & green. Each of these second colours is created 

                by mixing two primary colours. Orange (red & yellow), purple (blue & red), and green 

               (blue and yellow).

              *All of these colours can also be termed as pure hues

  *The colour wheel becomes much larger once you add varying degrees of white, black, grey to   

    these 12 colours/hues.

               *Tint: a pure hue made lighter using white

               *Shade: a pure hue made darker using black

               *Tone: a pure hue with grey to create a new tone          
               *A tint, shade or tone is classified as being either warm or cold. Warm colours exist on

                  one side of the wheel and they tend to be more vivid; cool colours exist on the other side

                  of the wheel and have a calming effect.

              *Neutral: White, black, brown &  grey.  They are neither classified as being warm nor cool.

So now that we know that the colour wheel consists of pure hues, and variations of those hues, which are either tints, shades, tones, or neutrals we need to understand the colour chords/harmonies, or we can use a wonderful tool that applies those harmonies to a tint/shade to provide us with matching colours. However, I will provide an explanation of each harmony so you understand how it is being created and will reference a couple of sites containing more detail.

KEY POINT: What you do need to know is that ALL neutrals (white, grey, brown, &  black) match ALL of the 12 hues and their variations (tints/shades/tones).

This amazing colour matching tool is at colorexplorer.com.

*You can either choose a colour from one of the colour libraries or import your own photo containing a clothing item etc. With your imported photo the software will identify the colours in the photo (keep in mind that they'll be close but may not be exact). j

*Then using your colour you will go into the "color matching" section" to view colours that match your colour. There are about 5 colour chords or colour matching algorithms for you to choose from. Each algorithm provides you with about 5 matching colours.

Let's do an example:

So let's say you find this beautifully elegant solid blouse (Silk Blend Mock Neck Blouse, Le Chateau $29.99) that has a divine neckline. And you don't know what colour(s) to pair with it.

*One additional colour: You could pair it with bottoms that is in a neutral colour e.g. browns, whites, greys, or black. In this case they have paired it with white pants.

*If you'd like a 3rd accent colour, turn to the color explorer to generate colours, one of which you may use. Some of your accessories could be in this colour e.g. shoes, jewellery, or handbag.

Le Chateau.com

*I downloaded this image from Le Chateau's site onto my desktop. Then I opened  colorexplorer.com, (I believe you must create a user account to be able to save the palettes to your palettes and subsequently to do the colour matching etc.) clicked on  "MY PALETTES" , then clicked on "Image Color Import" and uploaded the image into Color Explorer.

*Color Explorer presented me with about 10 colour palettes - some probably related to the skin tones, another for the white pants, and three blue ones for the top (that pick up the lighter and darker spots based on how the light is reflecting off the top). I clicked on "Save in my Palettes" to save this series.

*Then I went into "SAVED PALETTES" and clicked on  "Image Import" to rename this series of colours to "LeChateau Mock Neck blouse".

*I clicked on one of the 10 colours  and selected "Load Palette" which will load all the colours into your "CURRENT PALETTE".

*I went back into my "CURRENT PALETTE" and clicked on all of the other 9 colours to delete them with the exception of the middle blue, which seemed to be the true colour (you can have more than one colour in your current palette; when you go into "Color Matching", you have to select the colour you want to match).

*I then clicked on "Color Matching", and since I only had one colour, it showed me my one colour along with 5 other matching colours, using the default color matching algorithm "ColorMatch 5K Classic". My favourite colour that I would use as an accent/3rd colour with this outfit is this beautifully rich purple (RBG:144/89/153) found using the analogue algorithm. I can't seem to import the colour image so I'll try to find an accessory with this item :)

Gemstone Encrusted Multi-Drop Earring (purple) Le Chateau $25.00   This is a good resemblance of the purple in color explorer. Although these also have white/clear stones, if you're wearing the top with white pants, and even if you were to wear the top with another neutral bottom e.g. black, you'd be adding in white as a 4th colour, which probably would still look great!

  (I must note that Le Chateau described this top as being "grey" but I think it looks blue - hopefully the top is actually this rich blue that we see in this photo).

 You could also use this tool if you have an item that has a pattern with two colours, assuming one of the colours is neutral e.g. white, grey, brown, or black. And you would either upload your photo of the item or choose the colour from "Color Libraries" (I really like the "TRUMATCH" library) and apply the colour algorithms to the non-neutral colour.

I absolutely LOVE this site! Have fun with it and I'd love to know what new colour combinations you'd come up with that you might not have on your own.

 Info about the color algorithms on the site. I believe all of these algorithms are standard with the exceptions of the "ColorMatch 5K Classic" & the "ColorExplorer-Sweet Spot Offset"which I believe Kim Jensen, creator of Color Explorer developed.

Algorithms:
Analagous: Uses colours that are next to each other on the wheel.
Complementary: Uses colours that are opposite to each other on the wheel.
Triadic: Uses colours that are evenly distributed around the wheel
Split Complementary: Is a variation of the complementary color scheme. It uses the colours on both sides of the complementary colour.
Square: Uses three other colours in addition to your chosen one that are evenly distributed around the wheel.
I haven't detailed all the recommendations around how to use these. If you want more information take a look at the tigercolor.com link below.

Have a super week! For the next blog we'll talk about how to know which colours suit you - there are a couple of different approaches we'll look at.

cheers,

Kay :)

References:
http://www.wikihow.com/Match-Colors
http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm
http://msfrankel.com

Outfit Colours: Is Three a Crowd?

I was wracking my brain as to where to start with my goal of providing practical information for you to look fabulous and classy in accordance with Coco Chanel's quote "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous". As I strive to write weekly blog posts, my intention is not to only show you what works, but why it works.

So let's start with colours. How many colours should an outfit contain?
Is there a minimum? 1 :)
Is there a maximum number of colours and at what point is too much and why?You can have as many as you'd like but then your outfit may look like disjointed instead of having a cohesive/united look. Dictionary.com describes an outfit as "a set of ... harmonious garments". Like with a musical piece an outfit can quickly transcend from being harmonious to noise!

In terms of everyday wear, I would say that four colours is the limit, unless of course a fabric has more than three colours, and always with the assumption that these colours match. However, my gut tells me that it's better to stay safer with three colours and/or shades of colours - more focused & balanced. And once you're more comfortable you can play with adding a shade/variation of one of the colours.
So let's look at some examples of what works and what doesn't work.

Created by m2mel/Polyvore

Springing into Glitz (solid colours)
What a fun and simple outfit! Fun for the weekend but could be a classy work outfit by substituting the black shorts for black pants (capris or full length). All the colours blend in so nicely with the chunky silver jewellery as a strong focal point.
Colours:
1. Black
2. Silver
3. White
And yes, sometimes silver/grey can be interchanged with white.

Canadian Budget friendly versions:
1. Black Shorts:
Shorter:H&M 14.95
Longer & more appropriate for dressing up: H&M 29.95
2. Silver ballet shoes: Payless Shoes $24.99 (I have a pair of Dexflex and they are so comfortable!)
3. Silver Necklaces:    Chunkier Reitmans $12   Less Chunky/floral Reitmans $14
It's really challenging to find a chunky silver necklace that makes a statement!!
4. Bracelets:  Chunky & feminine  Icing $12 , set of 16 silver bangles Icing $14.25 Right now at Icing they have BOGO 50% off

Variations:
*If you don't have one colour e.g. silver, substitute it with another colour, but keep it to 3 colours.
*You could always use black shoes and add bracelets, earrings or a purse in a 3rd colour.
*Silver jewellery classifies as another colour unless you already have a grey or silver item.
*Dress it down a bit by wearing a plain white or cream t-shirt, top or sweater.

rw-co.com

Flowery & Feminine (3+Colours in Pattern)
This top emanates Spring! Its bold reds and defined print make a very strong statement. Beautiful neckline with a tapered waist that makes it a sweetly feminine.
Colours:
1/2. Dark red (edges and centres of flowers) which could also appear as black if other black items were worn with it
3. Lighter shade of red/pink  (each definitive shade even though it's in the same family as the darker red I'd classify it as a separate colour
4. Cream (as per their description but looks more like white to me)
5/6. Very small pockets of green and orange

So since this top has 3+colours, my recommendation is that other pieces you add to this outfit is one of these colours/shades like they have done here - they have added the white pants, which creates a very crisp, classy look.

Variations:
*Black Pants: You could easily swap out the white pants/shorts/capris/skirt for a black equivalent. In this case with the dark red being so dark you can use it to your favour, so that when you pair black with it, you will see black while still having the red. Black bottoms will still create a very classy look. And if you want to dress down the outfit a bit you could always wear dark wash jeans in place of black pants and still obtain a very chic look.
*Red/Pink Pants: In theory you could use one of red or pink shades but it will probably have to be bang on and should maintain the same shape as these white pants. It might be a bit much, but if you love lots of strong colours and you match them - it could be a fantastic outfit!
*4th Colour: You could pull in either green or orange as a 4th colour but I"d probably use it sparingly e.g. as bangles or earrings.
*Shoes: Again, choose shoes in one of these shades: dark red, black,lighter shade of red/pink or white. For a more classic look your shoes should be the same colour as your pants e.g. assuming you're wearing white or black pants. If you are wearing shorts, a skirt or capris so that you are showing bare leg, nude coloured shoes are also a great option. Assuming they are the same colour as your skin, they don't "count" as another colour because they blend in, and the great part is that they'll make you appear taller. :) You could probably get away with a cute pair of ballet shoes or something in a heel, whether open or closed toe, but make sure they're very sleek versus being chunky.

Where you can buy the top & suggestions for other items:
1. Chiffon Blouse in a flower print: RW&CO $50
2. Slim Leg Cream pants in 7/8th length (I believe these are the same ones photographed with the top)  RW&CO $65
3. Boot White pants (I think white would work with the top). And for someone whose weight sits on her hips, a boot cut is much more flattering than a slim leg cut)  Gap $69.95
4. Black capris - I love this wider bottom which again is suitable for women who are more conscientious about their hips. And the cuff just finishes them off so nicely. I haven't tried these miracle type pants but have found that Rickis' pants fit well: Cuffed Hem Miracle Capri - Ricki's $49.50
5. Open toe sorbet (red?) patent pump shoes: I believe these are the ones photographed with the pants -  RW&CO $90
And shoes may be comparable in colour and style to the RW&CO ones but with a closed toe - Women's Coral Kortee Wedge Sling Payless $27.99
6. Centre Faceted Stone Earrings (dark red/black) Laura $7.99 These are versatile. So whether you are pairing the top with black or white pants/bottoms, they will chameleon accordingly. If you're going to wear jewellery I suggest you wear earrings and bracelets at the most. Since the neckline is so high and exquisite you don't need a necklace. If you do place a necklace my concern is that it will compete instead of complimenting it. However, in saying that a short white/cream pearl necklace that sits only on the skin may work.
7. Stone & Crystal Border Stretch bracelet (dark red/black) Laura $11.99


Floral Flurry! (Too many colours and one too many patterns)
Ok, let me just start by saying that this woman/model looks stunning and she can actually pull off this look, especially on paper, but if you were to see her on the street would you think the same thing - maybe??

Melanielynn.com

Colours:
1. One Pattern too many: Typically when you have a pattern, whether it's 2+ colours/shades, it wants to be THE focal point, and to have a fabulous outfit (unless you're a model showcasing the latest styles), one pattern is about the max. I'm sure someone could prove me wrong, but this is the norm.
Duplication of colours/shades exists in the scarf and pants, but even if we had no new colours by adding in the 2nd piece, the additional pattern is too distracting.
Colours in the pants (let's focus on the pants since patterned pants tend to be the rage this season):
1. Dark pink
2. Light pink
3. Dark green
4. Bright orange
5. Cream
6. Beige
Without the presence of the scarf I absolutely love this outfit - it's light, springy and fun!
The basic cream top and tapered light beige jacket draw these colours out of the pants and create a very sophisticated look. The gold bracelet mixes well with the beige family, and the pink belt is a cute addition.

Variations:
1.Scarf: I'd either ditch the scarf for a more delicate necklace in one of the colours - likely a light pink or switch out the scarf for a solid colour e.g. orange or pink.
2. Shoes: You could again pull in gold shoes, which will become part of the beige family, as long as they're more subdued, not too glitzy. Or again, wear a pair of sleek open or closed toe shoes that showcases one (or two) colours in the pants.
3. Top/Jacket: This combination with the cream top accompanied with the slightly darker but still very light beige top is beautiful. However, feel free to replace the cream top with solid top in one of the pant colours. As for my personal preference I"d probably stay away from the green because it might be a bit overpowering, but if you choose a green, make sure it's the same shade of green that's in the pants.  And whether you choose a jacket or not is your option. It certainly dresses up the outfit.

I was going to give another example, but I think I've said enough for today :)
Have a super week!

Cheers,

Kay
                                                                                                 

Win a Mother's Day "Ultimate Fleuri Package"

I am so excited for the individual who will win this amazing Mother's Day gift!
 Last year I gave my Mom the gift of the Fleuri Photo session and she absolutely loved the experience and treasures the photos she has of herself, and photos with both my sister-in-law and I.  My dear friend Sandra, the  photographer/owner of Fleuri Photography has developed this exceptional service and product for women. It's not just a glam experience - it's so much more!  Again and again her clients (take a peek on Sandra's site/blog: http://www.fleuriphotography.com/) have marked this experience & the photos as a  turning point in their lives to see that they truly are beautiful & valuable -  on the inside and out :). Sandra is not only an amazing photographer and captures the essence of every woman, she is also so warm and engaging and has a wonderous way of helping women being comfortable in their own skin, and in front of a camera.

This package includes the following:
                    *Wardrobe Renos by Kay:
                         1 1/2hr Outfit Planning Session prior to the Photo session
                         In the comfort of your home we will have a fantastic time planning stunning outfits
                         for you that will create timeless photos
                    *Fleuri Photography (Fleuriphotography.com):
                         For two special women: Pampering experience of Hair Styling and Makeup
                         at the Fleuri studio
                         A fun and enjoyable Photo session for each woman resulting in timeless photos
                          that you and your loved ones will treasure
                         Complimentary treats `
                   *Diamond Limousines (Diamondlimousines.ca):
                        Elegantly escorted to and from the photo session

Here's the link to enter into the contest - on KIX's site (local radio station):
http://www.kix106online.com/contests/fleuri-photrography-mothers-day-modern-glam-experience/