Dressing Colorfully: How to Wear Color
Color can add so much to your outfit, and your mood! If you are looking for guidance on how to wear more color in 2022 then you came to the right place!
My recent 6 week #ROYGBIVoutfits challenge had me dressing colorfully and diving into color combos like nobodies business! I was so inspired by everyone that participated and all the colorful outfits that they styled up!
I’ve been chatting with some of the fashionistas that participated in the #ROYGBIVoutfits challenge and wanted to share their experience with dressing colorfully. I’m so excited to have all this inspiration in one place with tips and tricks from the muses themselves!
The Color RED
Dee Dee dresses with effortless layering - she brings color combos to another level by utilizing primary and tertiary matchups! I’m so inspired by the way she layers color and silhouettes to define her own style.
"‘I’ve always loved color but growing up in the 80's in Texas there were a ton of rules around what you could and couldn't wear. I was self- conscious about wearing colors that were overly bright or flashy, and my mom was committed to the idea of color "seasons" (remember those?) and wasn't shy about telling me what colors I wasn't supposed to wear. I think it made me gun shy about wearing certain colors like, say, orange . A few years ago, post-pregnacies and moving into my late thirties I got interested in slow and sustainable fashion and discovered ace&jig, a clothing brand that reinvigorated my love of color and pattern. The community around the brand is so kind and supportive, it gave me the confidence and joy to start experimenting with color again.” - Dee Dee
When Wearing Red, I’ve always loved pairing it with a color that makes it feel welcome: Shades of blue are always a winner.
“I started a journey into slow fashion and discovered Ace & Jig. The textiles and colors are amazing. Luckily there is also an amazing group of women on IG that are like virtual friends/family, so it’s a 2 for 1. We get style /color inspiration and friendship!” - Sali
Fav Color Combo: Pink/green ..it feels harmonious. I also love blue/orange..those combos feel punchier.
Life Long Color: Can I say a color family? All the shades of pink from blush, to antique rose, to fuschia.
I love seeing how Caitlin puts together outfits - she makes a statement with color, then adds details through her layers and accessories. Love!
“I can’t really imagine a time without color! I’ve always loved it, for as long as I can remember. It was a bit scarier in my teen years, when you’re constantly feeling observed and judged. I probably embraced it most in art college, as I was surrounded by creative people constantly and the world of self-expression opened a bit more.” -Caitlin
Confidence Boost Color: I’ve been drawn to accessorize with pops of red for as long as I can remember, and a few of my long-time favorite pieces are, also. My partner and I love to joke about my iconic Red Sweater®️
Life Long Color: Oh this is torture! I’m an illustrator, so my love of color is also tied greatly into my perspective as an artist and it’s so hard to imagine a monochrome world. I think the hardest for me to abandon forever would be red, though. It’s bold and works well with black and white!
“I got into color gradually. I did a lot of neutral and monochrome outfits with small pops. If your pop is an accessory like a belt, bag, or shoes, then it’s even more non committal. And it’s easier to incorporate color with pieces that are away from your face, in case you’re unsure whether you love that color against your complexion. Also, choose colors that you love, and not just color for color’s sake or something that’s on trend. The right amount of color and the way you use it should feel natural and comfortable to you. Everyone’s different.” - Sarah
The Color ORANGE
Monochrome looks are still a personal fav, I just love that it makes a bold choice feel comfortable and effortless!- Jen
If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life what color would it be? Orange! I started wearing more of it when my son declared it his favorite color, and I quickly discovered it’s a great neutral. It goes with almost everything.
When did you start wearing color? Can you share a little about your journey with color in fashion. I wore a lot of color as a kid, but then kind of stopped after grad school. I graduated shortly after the recession ended and the rise of millennial startup culture definitely influenced my closet. I wore a lot of neutrals, “elevated basics,” and millennial pink for close to a decade. I only recently came back to color around April of 2021. Pandemic restrictions were loosening in my state, and I wanted to reinvent myself. I started thrifting with my mom, which was super fun because she’s a seamstress so has a great eye for the way clothes are made, their quality, and detail. I was also staying with her so had the chance to dive into her closet which is super colorful and full of vintage dresses that she made by hand!
What's the best advice you'd give to someone who wants to wear color but might be unsure of where to start?
“Baby steps. Start with socks and scarves. I have a bazillion of both. They always add great pops of color to an all black or neutral outfit. Just dip your toes in. Then move on to a top or T-shirt. After you’ve mastered full on color, then you can level up to color and print, mixing multiples ( my average is 3-4) and you will have achieved color greatness! 😀🎉” - Sali
“I have ALWAYS gravitated to colorful clothing - I had a blog back in the oughts that chronicled my super colorful style, and its changed very little.” - Audrey
Fav Color to wear: I love wearing almost any color, but I think red is my go-to. It goes with so many other colors but always feels bright and a little unexpected.
“I love how different shades of blue set off of a nice classic red, there are so many chic combinations within these two colors!” - Audrey
@adrinanananoodle
“My journey with incorporating color into my style started a little over 5 years ago when I experienced a significant turning point in my life. I had just went through therapy for the first time after a dark period of intense anxiety from a traumatic breakup from a previous relationship. After completing therapy I felt so free and happy for the first time in a long time. During this period I spent a lot of time watching so many different fashion/style Youtubers and I started following a lot of instagram fashion accounts. I had an immense burst of inspiration. I began to really grow out of my shell and let the artistic side of myself shine.” - Adriana
What's the best advice you'd give to someone who wants to wear color but might be unsure where to start? Always start small so you don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. Give yourself small personal challenges to start stepping out of your comfort zone. Maybe buy something in a color you have never worn before. Start wearing pops of color in your accessories like bold earrings or a bright shoe or even colored eyeliner. It also helps to look inward and listen to what your true, unafraid self wants. Start tuning in to that part of yourself and focus on what things make you excited. What clothing pieces and colors do you REALLY want to try? If you were to imagine your “dream self” what kinds if things would they wear? Imagine the kind of style/clothes that would make you feel like the best version of yourself, and start BEING that person. There is nothing stopping you or separating you from being the best version of yourself.
The Color YELLOW
“Color in general just makes me feel confident. The more "normal" I feel like I look the less confident I feel actually. To me the idea of just blue jeans and a t-shirt is something out of my comfort zone.” - Sarah
When did you start wearing color? I've started wearing color like I do now for only a few years actually. My style from middle school through early college was mostly black and edgier style. I feel like that was mainly influenced by my friend group. I still remember when I started making the shift to color and I came up and hugged a friend from behind. They didn't know who it was and I was like who else is going to hug you from behind? And they said I'm just not used to you wearing so much color. And I was like 🤯
Then the next few years I definitely experimented with fashion but felt like I leaned more towards the "blogger" style that I saw so many people wearing. Then after a few years of that, I finally came into my own personal style and have developed it to what it is today. Basically a walking rainbow.
Do you use the same color combos in your wardrobe as in your interiors? I’m an interior designer and I do notice color palettes and applications from my wardrobe in my design quite a bit. In fact, if you’re into fashion and understand your personal style, it’s a great starting point for your interiors!
“When you get more comfortable, you can experiment with more color clashing, color blocking, and monochrome outfits in color for bolder impact.” - Sarah
“I feel energized when I put on some bright colors. When I’m feeling down I tend to reach for dull and dark colors, so I’ve started trying to be a bit more conscious and wear colors to lift up my mood. It helps!” - Shoko
When did you start your fashion journey? I’ve always loved fashion since I was very little. Growing up, I constantly had something I want to wear in mind and would go search for the exact thing. (mind you, it was the time way before Internet) I remember taking trains to go to this specific store for a beret when I was 11 or 12. I didn’t find it though, unfortunately.
Instagram-wise, I started this outfit account in 2018.
If I’m feeling uninspired or down, I always reach for yellow. It’s a color that puts some pep in my step, and brightens up any outfit!
Start with incorporating one piece in your favorite color, something that makes you happy. If you like it, add in more, and don’t be afraid to mix things up!
Can you share a little about your journey with color in fashion? I would say I've refined it a bit over time, maybe - I like to be super colorful but try to walk the line not to tip over into clowny colorful, which can be tricky. I love to combine unexpected colors but I try to balance lots of color with more simple shapes and accessories - as colorful as I am I wouldn't say I'm a "maximalist" but maybe more of a "balancer" if thats a thing haha.
The Color GREEN
@adrinanananoodle
Go to Color: My go-to color right now is green. It’s fun, it’s funky, and it looks cool on its own.
Out of all of the colors I wear, I feel the most confident when I wear green. I actually used to really dislike green. As I grew more confident as a person and developed my style, I flipped and became totally obsessed with the color. There’s a bright fuzzy green sweater that I own that some have called “ugly booger green” 😆. I definitely stand out in it. But that’s what I have come to love about green. It’s a color that can be whacky and crazy and it’s different. I think in a way it represents how far I have come in my self confidence and the growth in my personal style. So whenever I wear green (especially bright green) I’m reminded of how much I have changed as a person. Something about it makes me feel so inspired.
Moving toward Color in her style journey… I had already been shopping at thrift stores regularly, but one day, I decided to just stop buying anything black. I could only buy colors. It was a big deal back then because I used to buy a lot of black and darker clothing because it was just easier to wear. I basically went cold turkey. It was a personal “challenge” to myself that has stuck ever since. I’m glad I stuck to it because it forced me to change things up and stop being comfortable with where I was at. This is what opened the door to a new opportunity for me to try a completely different approach with my style. That is how color made its way into dominating my wardrobe, and I am so happy with how it has developed.
What color makes you feel confident? Green! I think it might be the best color for my complexion so it's an easy go-to (and my favorite color.)
Do you use the same color combos in your wardrobe as in your interiors? YES. I have a super colorful house and use a lot of the same combinations inside; I'm always painting a new wallpaper or finding another spot to add a little pop of color or texture.
My go to colors are constantly changing. Right now I'm very into orange and green. They really pop in photos!
Advice: For someone who is just starting to explore the world of color, I absolutely suggest starting with a colorful accessory like a bag or a hat. Or take an item of clothing that you already enjoy, like perhaps a button-down shirt, and try a colorful version of a style you're already comfortable with.
“From my haircut to my makeup, everything about me has been super consistent for over a decade. Colorful clothing is where I have fun, so I’m constantly exploring!” - Jen
What's the best advice you'd give to someone who wants to wear color but might be unsure where to start? In Josef Albers book, Interaction of Color, he advocates for seeing what happens between colors because color isn’t just pigment, it’s tone, shade, vibration, and more. If you pair cornflower blue with red, it will look different than if you pair it with Kelly green. If you’re just getting started, and want to go slow, definitely try this experiment based on Albers theories: take one colorful garment and see how It changes when you pair it with different things in your wardrobe. This can be as simple as pairing a green shirt with blue jeans or white pants. It’s also fun to do this in a thrift store if you have some time. Over time, you’ll develop your own preferences and intuitions. Most importantly, have fun!
The Color BLUE
“I started thrifting and experimenting with making unique fashion choices as a teenager and throughout my college years with a mostly thrifted and vintage wardrobe, so it goes back pretty far! But when I started working in offices in my 20s, things took a more drab and generic turn. I tampered down my love of wild prints and eclectic colorful finds in order to fit in with corporate environments and feel like a proper grown-up. It pains me to think of the vintage gems I donated to thrift stores - I hope someone cool found them, haha! Only after leaving the working world to be with my kids I started listening to that voice inside of me again. I started thrifting again, and became hooked on finding vintage especially, the wackier and more colorful the better.” - Laura
What color makes you feel confident? Well I’m not a very confident person overall to be quite honest. But wearing something that feels creative and true to myself gives me a confidence boost! I can’t choose a specific color that evokes that feeling, but usually it’s a combination of the whole outfit, and creating something that feels like me.
Go-to Color: Chartreuse!
“I’ve ALWAYS worn bold colors. But just started wearing weird colors together and experimenting more in the last decade or so. Color, in everything, has been my strength.”
“Wear what you’re drawn to and what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to be experimental and be spontaneous. It’s a game changer! When I like my outfit, I feel happier and more confident. I have a better day. I’m striving for that experience more often” - Alisha
“My absolute favorite color combination that I actually wear a lot in real life is blue and green. It’s beautiful like the sky and the trees.” - Shoko
Can you share a little about your journey with color in fashion? As a child of the 90s who came of age at the time of bright colored jeans from Delia’s, color has always been a big part of my wardrobe. It helps me feel a little bolder than I am, and there’s no better feeling than getting compliments on an outfit where you took a little risk. I’ve especially embraced color in exploring slow fashion—it doesn’t all have to be beige!
The Color PURPLE
Do you reach for the same colors over and over, or do you find yourself constantly exploring? Lewis and Clark, Amelia Earhart, Lou Reed, *me*
What's the best advice you'd give to someone who wants to wear color but might be unsure where to start? Let no one and nothing hold you back from finding your wardrobe bliss. Take a quiet moment, meditate on your happy place, visualize your color animal. Ride it into the sunset. Then open your eyes and get shopping!
What is your go-to color and why? Orange is my recent favorite wardrobe color, it's unexpected, vibrant and happy.
How does this color make you feel when you wear it? Like a traffic cone, Cheeto-finger, mandarin sherbet, Fanta fantasy.
Do you use the same color combos in your wardrobe as in your interiors? There is definitely an overlap in colors for my wardrobe and interiors with an emphasis on green. Bold colors, bright, cheery combos, and repetition of varied textures and patterns therein. Those same colors and combos show up in my art/jewelry.
“I generally stick to the same colors. But last year I started on an orange kick and haven’t stopped with pink! Or chartreuse with lavender.” - Alisha
“Find a color that you love and know works on you and then play with different combinations. My number one piece of advice getting dressed is, if you don't feel comfortable in it, you won't wear it. Don't buy things because you think they look great but you'd be nervous to wear them out. Wear what feels good and makes YOU feel confident!” - Audrey
Go To Color: Every few years this gradually shifts to another color, but right now I think I’m pretty interested in green. I used to have a hard time finding a shade of green I didn’t feel was too intense or too dull (neon or desaturated olive) but lately there has been so much fun color experimentation in fashion, I’ve loved seeing the variations of vibrant olive, chartreuse, forest, emerald and even Kelly green!
How does this color make you feel when you wear it? Green feels very fresh to me, and sometimes earthy, depending on the hue. It’s one of those “effortlessly cool” colors, and I know also from studying color theory in college that green is a soothing color. Perhaps something I need right now!
Favorite Color Combo: I love green with orange (my previous go-to color) right now. Not quite as obvious as the complementary red-green combination.
Aren’t these women amazing?! They all had such great advice on how to wear color! Make sure to give them all a follow on Instagram to see more of their amazing looks!
I hope you were as inspired as I was to try new things when it comes to dressing colorfully! We’ve been through a pretty difficult and “dark” last 2 years, and people are over it. You can see how color is coming back! From fashion, to interior design- we are all utilizing color to brighten our environments and moods because, well, we need it! And color is one of the most powerful tools to do that. Here’s to a more colorful and joyful 2022!!!