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Ok, friends, I confess that I am not the most adventurous when it comes to fashion. I predominantly wear solid colors and lots and lots of black. It’s slimming (which is important to me as it has only been 3 months since the birth of my second baby), it goes with everything, and I don’t have to think about it. Grab a black shirt and a pair of jeans and I’m out the door. So this week, I had to find a few experts to teach all of us how to jazz up our wardrobes with a little creative contrast.
In an article on graphic design, Jacci Howard Bear explains, “Contrast occurs when two elements are different. The greater the difference the greater the contrast. The key to working with contrast is to make sure the differences are obvious.” What’s true on the page is true on the person. You want to make sure your contrasts look intentional, and not as if you just got dressed in the dark.
Size is one way to combine contrasting patterns. Mix a large scale floral with a small stripe, or a large stripe with a smaller graphic print to create a sense of contrast. The key is to stay within the same color palette. This helps make the differences look put together.
Another simple way to incorporate contrast into your wardrobe is with color. According to Jacci Howard Bear, “Use harmonizing, complementary, and opposite colors to create contrast. Be careful with the value of the colors as well. For example, harmonizing colors (adjacent to each other on the color wheel) can appear washed out if there is not enough difference in the values of each color.”
Try popping one of your go-to outfits with accessories from the opposite side of the color wheel. One of my favorite combinations is pink and green. Try spicing up a simple green top with bold pink necklace, or go slightly more daring, and mix turquoise and red. If you’re new to the world of contrast, stick with classic color combos, like black, white and red.
Done right, incorporating contrasting elements into your wardrobe adds both excitement and interest to otherwise ho hum outfits. What are your favorite clothing contrast tips?
photos leolucaescobar (etsy), guiltytreasures.blogspot.com, Alice & Olivia
I am stuck in a sold-color rut. I could use some pattern to liven up my wardrobe. Thanks for sharing these cute pictures as inspiration!
My favorite new dress is Kelly green. Time to hunt for a pink necklace! Thanks for that idea.
My wardrobe needs serious help. I do not have an eye for fashion and really wish I had a person shopper!
I’m super into big ruffles right now…i think they make my face look thinner
I love that first dress! I tend to wear a lot of black, gray, navy, and white so I really need to incorporate more color in my wardrobe.
Cute! I am always trying to add patterns to my wardrobe!
I’m big on cardigans in BRIGHT colors… right now i am living in a fuscia Jcrew cardigan! In the fall, it will be my robins egg blue one!
I love black too and I think everyone looks good in the contrasting black and white. That’s why that store, White House Black Market is so popular.
I like red accessories, like the pic above when I wear black and white. A red necklace, red shoes and a red bag give a good burst of color.
I am a fashion dud, jeans and T shirts most of the time.
That last geometric dress is FABULOUS!
I love to contrast colors every so often, but I have to admit that I’m a matchy-matchy girl…
ugh…I need new “fun” clothes!
I actually saw leopard and ikat in red and blue used well together, wish I could do that intuitively.
I must say that contrasting always looks so great on people but I still fear it for myself! I think I’m also a matchy matchy person. I finally got over that for interior design and realized it looked 10x better…I’m sure the same would be for fashion.
I love that dress! Its super cute and would be fun to switch up the color of the belt!
Those shoes are calling to me, so adorable!
I needed a reminder to try wearting more contrasting items. Great tips – simple and easy to follow.
This was a nice little nudge to remind me to mix it up a little. I’m usually a solid color (all black) gal, but sometimes you just need a little COLOR!
Glad to see I’m not the only one stuck in the black rut. I just read elsewhere turquoise is in…new color to try out!