How to Coordinate Colors in an Outfit

I’m addicted to looking at cute clothes, but I always have trouble figuring out what colors to wear with them in order to complement them the best. So I asked my friend who’s an expert at coordination, and she gave me this advice on how to coordinate colors in an outfit based on the colors of my jacket. Let’s take a look!

Choose one color theme and carry it through your entire outfit

You don’t have to stick with just one color, but try not to mix too many patterns. For example, wearing a jacket with a patterned scarf and a striped shirt will create more of a distraction than complementing colors. And remember: when your jacket is mostly covered up, it’s what you wear underneath that makes all of the difference! I like to choose my main color for tops or dresses, then go from there. Whatever you do, make sure everything coordinates nicely—it doesn’t matter if you were planning on spending $10 or $100; cheap women's clothes will always look cheap if they aren't taken care of properly. Remember: quality over quantity! Keep in mind cheap women's clothes can be a great way to test out new styles without feeling wasteful. But if you know something isn't for you, give it away (or at least sell it)! Don’t just leave something laying around until everyone else notices and thinks poorly of your fashion sense! It's better to get rid of cheap women's clothes sooner rather than later; plus, you'll never get anything back once someone else has worn them. When in doubt, keep it simple and neutral.

Combine complimentary colors

When choosing complementary colors, you’ll want to pair colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. But sometimes, complementary colors can end up looking garish or clashy—so you should use them only for smaller accent pieces like scarves and hats. And when trying out different shades of complimentary colors, you may be better off mixing them together for a more subtle look. For example, try pairing turquoise with slate blue (which combines two shades) instead of pairing turquoise with orange (two different hues). This way you can test your preferred shade combinations without having any clashes. You could also try monochromatic color schemes: If you don’t feel confident creating mixed-shade combinations, there is another technique that relies solely on similar tones. Monochromatic color schemes involve picking one main hue (for example, navy blue), then building outfits around it by adding accents such as belts or accessories in a lighter or darker tone of your base hue. The primary advantage of using monochromatic color schemes is that they tend to have a more refined and cohesive look. They also have the added benefit of making it easy to add just about any item into your outfit because you know it will work harmoniously.

Use a single shade to add interest

If you want your outfit to pop but don’t know where to start, consider matching a single shade. Sure, your outfit may look like a solid block of color at first glance, but if you get creative with layering, you can add interest to simple ensembles. For example, if you’re wearing a solid-colored jacket or blouse over a shirt that has thin stripes or patterns, try pairing these outfits with coordinating (but complementary) tones for your bottom half. For instance, rather than trying to match your skirt with your top layer exactly (which would require several shades), pick one main shade and complement it with other colors of various shades and intensity. You’ll create visual contrast between your two layers—and it won’t even feel like you tried! This is also a good tip for when you wear patterned pants or skirts; instead of going crazy trying to coordinate each garment perfectly, choose one focal point and build around it. In most cases, shoes make excellent accents because they’re noticeable without drawing too much attention away from your face. Of course, everyone has different preferences when it comes to shoes (open toes versus closed heels versus sandals or sneakers), so do what works best for you—it doesn’t always have to be traditional dress shoes either! You could take an oversized statement necklace that incorporates bold color as another type of focal point.

Contrasting shades complement each other

Another fun rule of thumb is opposites attract. A dark color offsets a light one, and a bright hue adds pop to a muted color. If you’re looking for ways to mix and match colors but don’t know where to start, experiment with complementary colors: blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow. These high-contrast pairings can be really eye-catching—but they also make good sense when it comes time to coordinate your outfit. To balance out a bolder piece like a cropped jacket or patterned dress, wear more subdued accessories like classic black pumps or neutral-colored jewelry. For something even more fun, throw on some retro shades in matching tones to reinforce your look without resorting to head-to-toe coordinating outfits.
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Play up your accessories. Wear two different colored shoes, for example.
If you’re going for a monochromatic look, play up your accessories. Try wearing two different colored shoes to bring a little color into your outfit. Women’s fashion is all about making small adjustments and tweaks that can completely change how your clothes fit and feel. Don’t be afraid to try something new and fun! Buy more than one top in each color: It may seem silly at first to buy four black shirts when you only need one, but if coordinating colors is important to you, it might help having options. When possible buy tops with similar or matching sleeves: By trying on tops with similar sleeve lengths, there’s less risk of accidentally pairing a top with too short or too long sleeves. For example, if one shirt has 3/4-length sleeves and another has full-length sleeves, you can avoid over- or under-accessorizing.: For additional guidance check out some online guides such as Six Things You Should Never Do With Your Clothes. This guide from Stylehive explains some common mistakes women make with their clothing by using images as a point of reference. Ask for help if you need it: Finally, don’t be afraid to ask people what they think of an outfit before you wear it in public. Your friends and family members have great insight into what works and what doesn’t. Be patient while learning to coordinate colors effectively because practice makes perfect.

Use monochromatic color palettes

Monochromatic color palettes are comprised of shades, tints, and tones of a single hue. Using just one color, you can create a variety of outfits that all complement each other. Monochromatic color schemes provide a way for you to wear clothes from your closet that would otherwise clash if you paired them with other colors. Because everything is made out of one shade, it’s also easy to coordinate accessories like shoes and jewelry with any outfit using monochromatic colors. This is helpful if you want a cohesive look without sacrificing style or comfort. Whether you want to stay on trend or simply need an easy way to save time putting together your wardrobe, incorporating a monochromatic palette into your daily looks will help keep things simple while keeping it stylish. It’s safe to say there are many benefits to adding a monochromatic look into your everyday fashion routine—but how do you know which colors work best together? And where should you start? Keep reading below to find some tips on coordinating hues as well as check out our guide on wearing purple today! What are Monochromatic Color Palettes? As we mentioned above, monochromatic color palettes include shades, tints, and tones of a single hue; so basically put, they have varying levels of intensity but only consist of one base color.

Break up similar hues with patterns

Sure, you could spend a ton of money on cute women’s clothes and cheap women’s clothes, but why not take advantage of what you already have? If your outfit is filled with similar colors, play around with patterns. Maybe pair a flowery shirt with a solid skirt or dress pants. Or wear patterned bottoms under solid tops or vice versa. Break up your outfit with different prints, shades and textures! Also, never underestimate accessories—for example: a jean jacket would go perfectly over that black blouse. Play around with it! Mix it up! Who said coordinating colors has to be boring?! Not me! It’s my personal favorite way to add character and make outfits pop. And I think you should do it too ;) . . . When choosing clothing for yourself or others, consider color coordination as well as styling. Whether dressing yourself from head-to-toe or shopping for friends/family members; coordinate several items at once for a full look (not just accessorizing). Every accessory adds visual interest and texture to your wardrobe by breaking up monotony found within darker hues. For example, if you are wearing dark red top and dark brown pants, mix things up with a trendy chunky necklace made of turquoise stones. Consider adding a scarf in between two layers such as underneath and outer layer coat or sweater. Alternatively try layering 1+ colors together such as pairing neutral colored cardigan with floral printed button down blouse or floral earrings to match floral print tank top.