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Choosing clothing colors that go well together is an art and a science. They even have University Degrees in Color Theory. Were going to try to make it easy for you to know which colors look good together and also look best on you. Weve learned color theory in Color Coordination, and we know how to match patterns from Coordination so were now ready to put it all to practical use. First, a little color science wont hurt! Color is a visual effect resulting from the eyes ability to distinguish the different wavelengths or frequencies of light. The apparent color of an object depends on the wavelength of the light that it reflects.
patterns and colors in an ensemble. Movie costumers often have characters they want to depict as weird wearing two incompatible patterns. In summary, extreme unity leads to under-stimulation, while extreme complexity leads to overstimulation. Harmony is a dynamic equilibrium.
There are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. These are the only colors that cant be made by adding any other colors together. You cant add two other colors to make red. But, you can combine two or more of the primary colors to make all the other colors. To describe a color with reasonable accuracy, there are three basic properties used to identify the qualities of color: 1. Hue the name of a color 2. Value the degree of lightness or darkness in a color; can be expressed by tones, tints and shades 3. Intensity the degree of purity or strength of a color (hue) or how bright or muted the colors are. For example, an intense red is one that is a very strong, pure red color. When a lighter or darker color is added to a color, the intensity will be less bright. (If you add white to red you get pink, a less intense color strength)
TONE Hue + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color)
COMPLEMENT TINT Tint + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color) SHADE Hue + Black (will darken the color) To use the chart we need to know these definitions: Core Color is the dominant color in a color scheme. Its the color of the principal item in your ensemble like your suit or a sweater. Accent colors are the second and sometimes third colors used in a color scheme. The accent colors may be complementary, triad, analogous or neutral.
Triad. The first or primary triad colors in the color wheel (or spectrum) are red, blue and yellow. (Navy suit, pale yellow shirt, burgundy tie) These are called pure colors because mixing them with each other and/or with white or black can make all other co colors. The second (or secondary) triad colors in the color wheel are orange, green and purple. Made by mixing two primary colors together. Mixing red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and combining red and blue produce purple.
Complementary colors:
Are those directly opposite one other in the color wheel. When placed next to each other, complementary colors intensify each other and make the colors seem brighter. Green and red are opposites and thats why hunter green pants look great with a burgundy sweater. Blue is opposite of orange so gold, rust, and brown complement shades of blue.
Analogous colors:
Also known as adjacent colors, harmonious colors, and related colors. Colors, which lie next to each other on the color wheel (contiguous colors). They harmonize since they each contain some of the same color. An example would be blue pants, a blue-green shirt and a purple sweater.
Families of analogous colors include warm colors (red, orange, yellow) and cool colors (green, blue, violet). Designers often build color schemes around two or three related colors. Select two warm colors with one cool or two cool with one warm to create dynamic harmony. Examples: navy suit, light blue shirt and red tie, or a yellow shirt, rust jacket and blue jeans. Neutral: shades of white, black, gray or tan. Neutrals work well with all colors or may be worn together. Khaki pants, white shirt and a gray sweater worn together create an ensemble made up of all neutral colors. Together, all neutrals may not be a dynamic look, but it is sophisticated. Black, White, Gray, Tan, and Brown are not separate colors on the color wheel, but are made up of different percentages of red, yellow and blue. To make neutral colors mix either all three primary colors, or mix a primary and secondary color (secondary colors are made from mixing two primaries). For example: How to make a brown? Mix a color with its complementary color. Add orange to blue, purple to yellow, or green to red. Each of these combinations makes a different brown. How to make a grey? Mix some orange (or yellow and red) with a blue then add some white. You can also mix blue with an earth color, such as raw umber or burnt sienna.
Putting the Core color and Accent color chart to specific practice:
CORE COLOR ACCENT COLORS
Complementary WHITE (neutral) BLACK (neutral) GRAY (neutral) All colors All colors
Triad
Analogous
TAN (neutral)
BROWN NAVY
Blue, green, orange, yellow, Orange, gold, rust Yellow, red, brown, tan Blue, green, purple
BURGUNDY/RED
Green
Purple, orange
YELLOW
Purple
Orange, green
PURPLE
Yellow
Orange, green
Blue, red
RUST/ORANGE
Blue
GREEN/OLIVE
Red
Caveat: You must pay attention to tone (adding gray), tint (adding white) and shade (adding black) of a hue (pure color). Green and red are complementary colors, but if you match pure green and red youll look very Christmassy! Which is fine for Christmas! But burgundy and hunter green are quite stunning together. You can also opt out of mixing and matching color and go: Monochromatic: all one color, but different shades, tones or tints. All blue attire could consist of a Navy suit, light blue shirt, dark blue tie, blue pocket square, etc. Add some contrast to this combination by using texture and pattern. Some of your clothing items should be smooth; others rough in texture. Some items could be patterned; others solid.
Navy
gray, tan
red, purple
Gray
black, white, gray, green, bluegreen, burgundy, navy, any primary or pastel colors
Brown
tan, black, brown, rust, orange, red, gold, yellow, green, burgundy
brown or cordovan
Tan
tan, brown, rust, orange, red, navy, burgundy, rust, green, tan, yellow
black, navy, gray, brown, darker tan gray, tan, navy, brown
Olive
brown or cordovan
Black
black, white, grey, blue, olive, burgundy, any primaryor pastel colors
gray, tan
black
A note on Pocket Square coordination: Compliment, dont match, your shirt and/or tie with your pocket square. If you do have a yen to match go for the shirt, never the tie. For a very conservative look try plain white, even if it is a little stuffy. There was a brief period such as the early 1940s when men did match tie and pocket square, but thank goodness weve moved on. There is some school that believes that the tie or jacket and pocket square should contrast in fabric. If youre wearing a silk tie opt for a linen square, or a tweed jacket is best worn with a heavier more casual square of wool or cashmere. White linen would appear too formal. some merit, but silk still looks great with any fabric. This theory has
*Tip for matching trousers to sportcoats: The bone buttons of a sport jacket have a range of colors. You can choose trousers that match any of the colors of the buttons and they will go perfectly. Caution: You must pay attention to tone (adding gray), tint (adding white) and shade (adding black) of a hue (pure color). Green and red are complementary colors, but if you match pure green and red youll look very holiday like, which is fine for December. But burgundy and hunter green are quite stunning together.
Seasonal Colors: Some colors are more appropriate at certain times of year than others. Like the pastels of yellow, are usually associated with summer, while autumn colors are rust, brown, green, and burgundy. Wearing rust in the summer, or light yellow in the fall looks out of place.
Think contrast. Try one light element with two dark, or one dark with two lights, such as a charcoal suit, white shirt and red tie, or tan suit with yellow shirt and green tie. Or Khaki pants and a dark blue shirt.
Color Value: Dark colors recede thus making you look thinner, and light colors project, which tends to bulk you up. Dark colors are more formal than light.
Your skin tone is the most important factor in determining the colors that look best on you. With the help of the list below, decide which season most accurately describes you complexion. Once you know your season, you will have a personalized guideline of colors and shades that work best for you! Best Colors Worst Colors
WINTER
Winter is a cool tone. People with winter complexions have blue or pink/rosy undertones.Skin can be pale white, yellowisholive, or dark. Those with the Winter color profile have a lot of depth to their coloring and a lot of contrast between their hair color, eye color and skin tone.Winter people have brown hair, with deeply colored eyes. Many Asians and African Americans fall into this category.People with white-blond hair may also be winters
Winters should wear colors that are sharp, stark and clear. They look best in intense, rich colors, like white, black, navy blue, red, and hot pink.For lighter colors, wear bright white or icy pastels, such as cool blues, pinks and yellows.
Winters should avoid dressing in earth tones and subdued colors like pastels, and beige, orange and gold.
SUMMER
Summer is also a cool tone and like wintercomplexions, have blue or pink
Best Colors
Worst Colors
Summers should choose soft neutrals and pastels, as well as muted colors with cool undertones.
Summers should avoid intense, vivid hues because they will look harsh. Nor should
undertones.Skin is pale and pink.Summers have a low level of contrast between their hair, eye color and skin tone.Summers often have blonds or brown hair with pale eyes.If youre a trying to discriminate between winter and summer, winters are usually have brown hair and summers are mostly natural blonds.
Powder blue, dusty pink, mauve, rose-brown, lavender, plum, and pale yellow are all good color choices.
AUTUMN
Autumn is a warm tone and people with this complexion have golden undertones in their skin, like a pale peach, golden beige or golden brown.Many have brown or red hair, and golden brownHowever, golden blond and black hair coloring can also fall into this range.Autumns have a lot of depth to their coloring and skin tone. Rich golden, spicy, and earthy colors will accent their complexion.
Best Colors
Worst Colors
Autumns should selectboth muted and rich warm colors that are seen in autumn leaves and spice colors, such as camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, warm grays, and dark brown.
Autumns should avoid clear, bright colors and black and white, which will make them look tired and faded. They should also avoid pastels and blue tones, which look cold against Autumns complexion and give a pale appearance.
SPRING
Spring is also a warm tone. Spring complexions have golden undertones and are usually creamy white or peach.Springs
Best Colors
Worst Colors
Springs can wear very pale, soft colors, such as peach, camel, golden yellow, golden brown, and aqua. They will also
Springs should avoid black and white, which are too contrasting. They should also stay away from dark, dull colors.
have extremely light, ivory skin color.People of this coloring are usually natural golden blonds, auburn, or have strawberry blond red hair.Springs also have very clear, light blue and green colored eyes. Freckles and rosy cheeks are also characteristics of this group.If you cant decide weather a client is an autumn or a spring, remember springs tend to have pale eyes while autumns have dark eyes.
look good in ivory, bright greens, true reds, clear blues and coral.
Have a colors name or want to know what color a product really is with a certain color name? Click on NAME THAT COLOR This is the stuff artists, master gardeners, and interior decorators study, but now you can use this knowledge to paint a picture with your clothes! Now, go get dressed!! Andy Gilchrist
Andys Color Coordination Chart! Put up this useful chart in your closet, and make Color Coordination easy! Only $22.99 Just one of the many items available from from the Ask Andy Shop !
Size:16 x 19.70574