One of the most important things on the lists of interests many elegantologists have is how to mix and match colors. It would be fair to say that this is expected and normal, given that wearing a color combination that is off can really break and outfit. After fit and shape, color is the most important thing when it comes to fashion, followed by fabric. In our opinion.
Men usually tend to be more conservative with their colors than women and to shy away from eccentric color combinations. This often either leads men to wearing only neutrals, which can often be boring or to have them wear only one non-neutral color. In fashion, neutral colors are colors that go with anything; these are black, white, beige, khaki, ivory, tan, brown, dark blue, gray.
Mixing colors
When you want to mix different colors, it is important to start from the main color of your outfit. This can be a neutral color or a non-neutral. Neutrals, as said, go with anything, so if you want to create a non-neutral color scheme, you can start from the main non-neutral color. The main color in an outfit is the color that either takes the most space or that makes the biggest impact. For example, colors such as yellow or bright green will be very visible even if you wear them in small amounts. Also, colors such as the ones from the example (yellow, green) are hard to match, so it would be useful to start from there.
There are more types of color schemes you can create: analog color schemes, complementary colors schemes, triad color schemes, split-complementary color schemes, monotone chromatic and monotone achromatic (just neutrals) color schemes.
If you know how to work the color wheel, these are quite easy to put together.
Matching colors
Matching colors in this context basically means that you choose to wear the same color for your clothes and accessories. For example, you will often see men wear a blue blazer with a blue tie and a blue pocket square. This type of combination, while not wrong, can turn out to be quite dull.
Creating such a combination is easy, but not very visually appealing. However, if you still don’t want to go all the extra length and mix colors, what you can do is choose pieces of the same color, but of different shades. Wear a dark blue jacket, with a mid-dark blue tie and a light-blue pocket square. Playing with shades is very subtle and smart and will give you an air of refinement and style.
Because we have mentioned ties and pocket squares, it is important to remember that these are not supposed to match, but to complement each other. The same goes for a bow tie – pocket square combination. In these cases, we recommend that the shades of these items should create the most contrast.
Being put together in terms of colors is not hard if you do it with care. If you don’t want to wear lots of colors, you can always stick to neutrals, but in this case, you should make sure that the cuts and shapes are truly impeccable.
Colors can bring a lot of dynamism in your life and make you feel more confident in your clothes, which, in the end, is what true fashion is all about.
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
4 colors to wear that always make an impact
3 ways men can wear a strong color
Color combinations of clothes that work for any skin tone, hair and eye colorÂ
The relation between colors and personality
Men and the color pink: A cultural history
A guide to coordinating the colors of your clothes
The professional way to choose the colors of your clothes
Choosing the colors of your clothes according to your skin tone
Discovering what colors to wear according to your natural features
Choosing the best color of clothes for dark skin tones
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