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How to Color Block: A Stylish Outfit Guide
By ShirtSpace | Jun 13, 2023 | Updated Aug 24, 2023Color-blocking outfits have become a popular trend in fashion, offering a creative way to elevate outfits and make bold statements. By combining contrasting colors in solid blocks, you can create visually striking, stylish, and attention-grabbing ensembles. And with Y2K fashion making a comeback, bright colors are more popular than ever. If you struggle with matching outfit colors, read on for clever color-blocking inspiration!
This comprehensive guide will delve into the fundamentals of color-blocking outfits, provide tips for choosing the right colors, offer practical advice for successful color-blocking, showcase inspiring examples, and highlight common mistakes to avoid. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or someone looking to experiment with their style, this guide will help you master the art of color-blocking.
The Fundamentals of Color-Blocking
Color-blocking is all about combining different colors to create a harmonious and visually appealing outfit. Understanding the fundamentals of color theory is crucial to achieving a successful color-blocked look. The color wheel is a useful tool to guide your choices. Complementary colors, located opposite each other on the wheel, create high contrast and vibrant combinations. Analogous colors, which are adjacent on the wheel, offer a more harmonious and cohesive appearance. Experimenting with these color relationships will help you create balanced color-blocked outfits. The following video will help you when pairing
Choosing the Right Colors for Your Outfit
When it comes to color-blocking outfits, selecting the right colors is critical to achieving a stylish and cohesive look. Consider your skin undertone, personal style, and the occasion to make appropriate color choices:
The Basics of How to Style Color:
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Skin Undertone: Determine whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. Warm undertones are complemented by earthy tones like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and olive green. Cool undertones are enhanced by jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and rich purple. Neutral undertones have the flexibility to experiment with a wide range of colors, but jewel tones and pastels often work well.
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Personal Style: Consider your preferences and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Choose contrasting colors like electric blue and fiery red if you prefer bold and vibrant looks. Choose analogous colors or shades of the same color family for a more subtle approach.
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Occasion: Take into account the event or setting you'll be attending. Vibrant color combinations may be suitable for casual outings or parties, while muted or monochromatic color-blocked outfits can be ideal for formal occasions or work settings.
Practical Tips for Successful Color-Blocking
To achieve success, keep these practical tips for how to color block outfits in mind:
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Familiarize Yourself With Color Theory: Learning the basics about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and how they can work for you or against you when combined, will give you a solid understanding to begin pairing colors like a pro!
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When in Doubt, Start with a Neutral Base: When learning how to color block, practice by incorporating a neutral color as the foundation of your outfit. Neutral shades like black, white, gray, or beige can help anchor your color-blocked elements and create a cohesive look.
Sweatshirts: Bella+Canvas 3901 in “Heather Blue Lagoon” and B7502 in “Atlantic”.
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Experiment with Monochromatic Looks: If you're new to color-blocking, consider starting with a monochromatic color-blocked outfit. Select shades of the same color to create depth and visual interest without overwhelming the eye.
Bella+Canvas t-shirts pictured in the colors “lavendar blue” and “pale yellow”.
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Balance Proportions: Play with different proportions of color-blocked elements in your outfit. For example, pair a bold, vibrant top with neutral bottoms to create a balanced and visually pleasing composition.
Use Color Placement Strategically: Think about how you want the colors to flow in your outfit. You can strategically place brighter colors near your face to draw attention, or use darker shades to slim down specific areas.
What Are The Best Colors To Color Block?
Neutrals like black, white, navy and sand are easy to color-block, since they tend to pair well with almost any color. Vivid primary colors like reds, blues, and greens are other top choices for color-blocked outfits. Bright colors tend to be easier than pastels when it comes to creating a cohesive look when color-blocking.
Pair neutrals for a sophisticated look, a mix of neturals and vivid colors to ensure a cohesive outfit, and partner colorful shades together for a bold and eye-catching look that is sure to stand out!
10 Color-Blocking Examples for Inspiration
Shirts pictured (left to right): Bella+Canvas 3413C triblend in “Kelly Green”, 3501 long-sleeve in “Strobe”, 6413 in “Charity Pink”, and 3001C in “Royal Purple”.
To spark your creativity, here are some unique color pairings for perfect color-blocked outfits:
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Saltwater and Gold: The perfect mix of blue and gray, saltwater, pairs perfectly with a bright and vibrant golden yellow.
Shirt pictured: ComfortWash by Hanes GDH250 in “saltwater”.
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Neon Yellow and Purple: Pair a neon yellow with a classic team purple for an even more electric look.
Shirt pictured: Bella+Canvas 3501 in "strobe".
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Emerald Green and Coral: Create a lively and tropical vibe by pairing a lush emerald or forest green with a bright and cheerful coral or similar bright pink.
Image credit: Pixelshot
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Mint Green and Orchid: Achieve a soft, fresh look with lavender and mint green.
Image credit: Porechenskaya
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Navy Blue and Mustard: Pair a navy blue with mustardy yellow for a sophisticated and elegant color-blocked outfit.
Sweatshirt pictured: Fruit of the Loom 82230R in “J Navy”.
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Hot Pink and Coral: This color combo isn’t just for Valentine’s Day anymore! We love it for any time of the year. Similar pairings, such as poppy red and light pink or magenta, also work well together!
Image credit: Bella+Canvas.
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Marigold and Violet: Fun and festive, we love this pairing for a fiesta or eye-turning combo.
Shirt pictured: Comfort Colors 6030CC in “Violet”.
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Aqua Blues and Peach: You’ll be ready for the beach with this fun summer combo! Try sapphire and coral for a deep taker on this pairing.
Tank top pictured: ComfortWash by Hanes GDH300 in the color “Freshwater”.
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Olive Green and Light Pink: Olive green and light pink complement each other beautifully, creating a harmonious blend of earthy and delicate tones.
Image credits: Bella+Canvas.
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Black and Royal Blue: The pairing of black and royal blue creates a striking contrast, combining the elegance and depth of black with the bold and regal allure of royal blue.
Shirt pictured: Bella+Canvas 3200 in “Black/True Royal”
The Best Apparel Brands for Color-Blocking Outfits
When it comes to a vast color selection, we have some suggestions on t-shirts, sweatshirts and more apparel items that come with a huge selection of color options — making them top choices for color-blocked outfits.
Comfort Colors
Clothing pictured: Comfort Colors C1717 t-shirt in “Violet”, 1567 hoodie in “Crimson” and 6030CC t-shirt in “Island Reef”.
Comfort Colors shirts are an excellent choice for creating stylish, eye-catching, color-blocked outfits. With their wide range of vibrant and rich hues, these shirts provide the perfect canvas for experimenting with bold color combinations. The shirts' exceptional color retention and garment-dyed process result in a washed and worn-in appearance that adds a unique touch to any outfit. The bold and unique colors make color-blocking easier than ever!
Bella+Canvas
Shirts Pictures: Bella+Canvas 3501 in “Strobe” and 3413C triblend in “Kelly Green”.
Bella+Canvas clothing is a fantastic choice for creating stunning color-blocked outfits that exude style and versatility. These shirts are known for their modern and flattering fit, making them an ideal canvas for showcasing bold color combinations. With a vast array of vibrant shades, Bella+Canvas offers endless possibilities for creating visually distinct outfits and unique color pairings.
Jerzees
Sweatshirts pictured: Jerzees 97CR and 98CR hoodies.
Jerzees apparel is a fantastic option for creating vibrant and stylish color-blocked outfits, thanks to their impressive Color-block line and solid pieces. With a wide range of color options and design variations, Jerzees NuBlend Color-block line of sweatshirts provides a versatile canvas for experimenting with bold and striking combinations. The strategically placed color panels and contrasting shades add depth and visual interest to your ensemble, allowing you to showcase your unique style. In addition to the Color-block line, Jerzees offers a wide selection of solid-colored pieces, providing the foundation for creating balanced and harmonious color-blocked looks.
ComfortWash by Hanes
Tank top pictured: ComfortWash by Hanes GDH300 in “Coral Craze”.
When it comes to creating outstanding color-blocked outfits, ComfortWash by Hanes is an exceptional choice. With a wide range of vibrant hues to choose from, ComfortWash shirts offer endless possibilities for creating visually striking and dynamic outfits. The garment-dyed process and unique finishing techniques give each shirt a soft and vintage-inspired appearance, adding an extra touch of character to your color-blocked ensemble.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Color-Blocking
To ensure your color-blocked outfits are on point, avoid these common mistakes:
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Overwhelming Colors: Using too many bright and bold colors in a single outfit can be visually overwhelming. Stick to a maximum of three colors to maintain balance and harmony.
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Clashing Colors: While contrast is essential in color-blocking, be mindful of clashing colors. Experiment with different combinations and consider how the colors work together before finalizing your outfit.
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Neglecting Proportions: Pay attention to the proportions of the color-blocked elements in your outfit. Balance larger blocks of color with smaller ones to create a visually pleasing composition.
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Ignoring Accessories: Don't forget to incorporate accessories into your color-blocked outfits. Select accessories in complementary or matching colors to tie the look together and add a finishing touch.
The Best [Already] Color-Blocked Apparel
Best Color-Blocked Polos
Best Color-Blocked Raglan Baseball Tees
Best Color-Blocked Sports Jackets, Vests & Windbreakers
Best Color-Blocked Hats & Beanies
Best Color-Blocked Sweatshirts
Be Bold, Be Creative!
Image credits: Jacob Sierra from Pexels (far left), Nuta Sorokina from Pexels (middle top, bottom right), Porchenskaya (top right), Aris Leoven from corelens (middle bottom).
Color-blocking offers a creative way to express your style and make a statement with your outfits. By understanding the fundamentals of color theory, choosing the right colors, and following practical tips, you can master how to color block outfits. Use the suggested unique color pairings as inspiration, but also feel free to experiment and create your own combinations. Sometimes adventurous or unlikely pairings yield the most striking results. With the knowledge and ideas shared in this guide, you're well-equipped to create stunning and stylish color-blocked outfits that showcase your fashion flair. Happy color-blocking!
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