How to Wear Color

Do you have a closet full of dark slacks and little black dresses? It may be time to give your wardrobe a little color therapy! Wearing bright colors can be intimidating, especially if you’re used to a understated color palette. However, color can be extremely flattering, make you look more approachable, even put yourself and others around you in a better mood. Check out our tips below for easing into wearing color:

A great place to start is to figure out whether you are warm or cool toned. One easy way to tell is by holding 2 different pieces of jewelry up to your face. One should be gold, and the other silver. The less flattering metal will typically bring out dark shadows or imperfections in your complexion, while the other will look bright and flattering next to your skin. If you chose the silver piece, you’re probably a cool tone. Girls who look good next to gold are likely warm-toned.

Once you know your undertone, you’ll find out which colors suit you best. In general, people with warm undertones look best in earth tones and sunny shades like apple green, crisp yellow, and bronze. Cool toned ladies look awesome in rich jewel tones like raspberry, emerald greens, royal blue, and plums. Think of these as guidelines rather than rules. Your best color will be the one that makes you look and feel amazing.

Now you’re ready to get some color in your life! If you’re not quite ready to rock a bright frock, start small. Adding color can be as simple as wearing a single, brightly colored accessory like a stand out necklace, or pairing your jeans with a fun shoes or a scarf in a single, bold color.

Once you’re ready incorporate little more color, you can start experimenting with pops of color. This can be achieved by keeping your outfit mostly monochromatic and adding one look-at-me piece such as a yellow top worn with dark jeans, or a jewel-tone cami worn underneath your work blazer.

Now you’re ready to take the plunge. Try a simple silhouette in an eye-catching color like a casual jersey dress in tomato red. Another thing to try is color blocking, or combining different "blocks" of bold color that compliment each other such as bright red tank worn with a back and navy skirt. Or, choose a feminine color block dress that takes all the guesswork out of sporting several bold shades at once.

When you’re ready to graduate color therapy school, try an item in a fun, colorful print. A simple, printed piece can really make a statement and needs few accessories or embellishments to complete the look. Now you’re ready to turn some heads in your colorful new wardrobe!