Color Blocking 101: What & How

Alright ladies, so I’ve mentioned the term “color blocking” a few times on my blog and got a few requests for more details.  Here’s my little rundown of how to color block.  I’ll spare you all the dry history behind it and cut to the chase.

Color blocking is just that, wearing blocks of colors.  For the most part this is what we do anyways when we dress, but Spring 11 “color blocking” is an exaggerated version.  To get the color blocking look you want to go for bright and bold colors.  There are some rules to follow, however, and here they are:

LOUDER THE BETTER: If there’s never been a better time to wear loud pops of color, it’s now.  Take advantage of the opportunity to be loud for no reason and still be fabulous.

CLASHY ATTIRE ONLY:  Don’t be afraid to clash. We’re so used to the same coordinating colors but try pink and red.  Try navy and black.  If you’re hesitant, you can always stick to the old faithful complementary color wheel (see below).  That thing is fail proof.

K.I.S.S.:  Keep It Simple Sister!  This look will look best with neutral accessories.  Grey is the new neutral tone.  Grey belts, shoes, accessories will compliment your outfit nicely.

THREE’S THE CHARM: Stick to 2 or 3 colors max.  Anymore than that and you’re borderline rubik’s cube.  No bueno.  I’d go for 3.  It makes for a more interesting outfit.

If you’ve never used a color wheel before, don’t worry.  All you need to know is how to draw a line straight through the middle of the wheel from one side to the other.  This is how you identify which colors traditionally compliment each other.

So, for example, you decide that today’s the perfect day to get your color block on.  You have a the perfect pair of red (C) skinny jeans and you’re not sure what top to wear.  If you have a blue (F#) top…yes denim counts as blue…you’re in luck and this is the easy way to accomplish a color blocking look.  Throw on a some grey accessories…jacket, shoes, hardware, and you’re good to go.

Below are a few examples of very exaggerated color blocking for your enjoyment.

See, I promised it would be short and sweet.  Here are some of my color blocking experiments, here, here, here and here.  I’d love to see what you come up with!

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186 thoughts on “Color Blocking 101: What & How

  1. Greetings! I’ve been following your weblog for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job! click here

  2. I really don’t know if I can pair my strappped beige wedge shoes with an aqua blue tube wedding dress.. It’s a long dress but it wont hide my feet once i wear shoes.. Is it okay i use my wedges? Thos are my only pair of nice shoes help

  3. i have a peplum top that’s white and black.it’s white at the front and black lace at the back. i’m wondering what colour skinny jeans i can wear besides gray or black. i was thinking red or baby pink. if you have any ideas,please let me know as i’ve to wear it tonight

  4. I love this post. I have a orange black and beige blocked skirt. What color top and shoes do you suggest. I tempted to wear a cream top with orange shoes but that’s too matchbox. Help lol

  5. Alright soo I’m planning on wearing a white sheer top with black leggings and a pair of nude heels, although I am a little hesitant on whether there would be a color clash between the white and the nude. Should I just wear black heeled ankle boots or would the nude heels match? Your advice would be greatly apprecited! ^^

  6. I going to hair fashion show sunday. Need advice. I have this hot pink blazer and fushsia wedge. I was go wear white shirt and white skinny jean. Do these go together? Please Adivse Me. Thank you

  7. i have a bronze bell skirt and have paired it with a emerald green chiffon shirt , i have no idea what shoes or jacket to wear with it though i was thinking about my chestnut chelsea boots but i’m not sure and im really struggling with a jacket please help i want to wear these tomorrow :( xo

  8. Okay so I have this white blouse and black skirt. I have coral colored heels. The skirt is sort of short so could I wear black tights or leggings with it? Please answer by tomorrow morning!!!!!!!

  9. Hi! I just bought a black dress and have these amazing purple/blue coloured peep toes heels I want to wear with it and I was thinking maybe bright pink nails and maroon/red coloured clutch. Do you think that will work or should I go for the coloured nails and black clutch and a colour in the accessories? Too many choices! Need help :)

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  11. I bought a basic straight above the knee dress in raw silk. The dress is orange with a coppery shine. I would like to wear a bold necklace in either emerald green or some type of bright dark blue and dangling earrings, since I have super short black hair. What do you think? Also would nude shoes and clutch work?

  12. Hey..I have just bought a yellow dress and I was wondering what color of shoe and clutch purse will work to create a great color blocked outfit?

  13. Hi, I have a pair of bright red jeans and a pale pink jumper, would they look weird together? The shades are almost exactly the same as the red and pink trousers in the last two photos!

  14. Help! I am going to a pinning ceremony. I just bought a red blazer jacket and it has a touch of black by the button side. How do I color block it?

  15. HELP! I have a orange, white and navy blue colour block chiffon dress, what colour shoes should I wear with it. I’m not all that brave when it comes to clashing colours so i have no idea.

  16. Hello,I have a black dinner dress,and a baby blue blazer and also black suede ankle boots,with a yellowish Orange Scarf…wat do you think???will it look nice??

  17. i have a plain white v-neck t-shirt…combining it with navy blue sweater (with buttons). please tell me will this go with orange balerinas ? (bright orange)

  18. Hello again,
    I have a coral/pinkish dress that I want to wear to a cocktail party the night before a beach wedding and I was thinking about a turquiose bubble necklace. Would you suggest something else? Also, you recommended nude heels for a blue dress I am wearing to the wedding, do you think I could get away with wearing those heels with this pink dress? I need to save space in my bag because we are traveling around Mexico for 2 weeks before the actual wedding. What do you think??

  19. hi i have a dark reddish-maroonish coloured overcoat. i am clueless about what coloured shoes preferably heels should i wear? Also should i wear a pair of black skinny jeans with it or something else?

  20. Hi. I have a bright blue, almost turquoise shoe. It’s hard to match so I figured that I would try color blocking. Do you have any suggestions on jeans (colorful or regular blue jeans) and top, whether it’s a shirt or something with a blazer.thanks

  21. Hello i have a red high waisted pencil skirt and a pink loose chiffon top, do u think i can wear then together? And what shoes would go with it?

  22. Helloo i have a short solid turquoise and blue dress and i am thinking of wearing some pink and black heels?? what do you think? and i need help with accessories please!

  23. I have a problem to I have a black skirt and black blazer and a white shirt and or leopard shirt but I don’t wanna wear the plain white or black shoe any suggestions

  24. Hi I have a black and white block dress. I wanted to wear a blazer with a pop of color cause i think wearing a black blazer would be too plain. pls help me.

    • I agree! A black blazer would be plain. I’d add a bright blue blazer and gold accessories, a red lip, high bun, black pointy stiletto heels or black strappy heels, red nails, a small blue clutch!

  25. i have a long red dress for prom. my heels are blue and have a gold backing. what accesorie colours should i stick to??? PLEASE HELP!!!

  26. I have an army green maxi skirt wit a brown high waisted belt attached 2 it. Tinkin wearin a dark sharp pink and a white blazer on it. Wat do u tink? And wat accessories will go? Pls rply asap!

  27. hi! i have a flowy gray skirt i dont know what top should i wear and also the accessories and shoes. im clueless how to color block with gray. please help me. Thank you! :)

  28. Hi! So I just bought a dress that is fuchsia on top with a red bottom. I’m clueless as to what color shoes and accessories to wear with it! If you could help me that would be AWESOME! Thanks :)

  29. I have a check shirt, the under colour is a dark pink with blue, green and purple chack. I really don’t no what colour shorts i should wear with them?

  30. Pingback: Color Blocking Makes for Artful Fashion « Segmation-The Art of Pieceful Imaging

  31. Hi, I have an aqua blue (baby blue) dress that I’m planning on wearing to a wedding. What colour shoes/accessories – I was thinking pink or royal blue?
    But it will be formal event….

  32. Hi ok so I have a pair of color blocked shoes they are platforms. They are orange, red, blue and black. I as thinking about putting them on with a black mini dress…would that work? And if yes how should I accesorize?

  33. hello, i bought a royal blue hi low see thru top and i was wondering what color shoes and bottoms should i pair them with, im so used to wearing blk and dont know what to wear..ur help would be appreciated. thanks

  34. Hi i would like to know like what kind of blue would look nice with gold and red is for like a hollywood party for my sister and her fav color is blue but we dont know what blue looks nice with red and gold… can you please help us?

  35. Hi I just bought some wedge heels and the are majority pink (fuchsia) with blue black and orange straps with gold buckles I was wonder what would I wear with that?

  36. Hello I am going to a fashion show and I want to to try this whole color blocking idea. I went out and bought a coral color high low chiffon blouse and a royal blue shirt. My only problem is what color shoes should i wear with this outfit. I know nude shoes will look good but i want other options as well please help thank you!

    • Hey Georgia! I assume you mean a royal blue skirt. First, those are GREAT colors against each other. Honestly, the nude heel would be best. You don’t want to add too much because then the outfit will look forced and contrived. I would suggest gold jewelry or if you have stones that are also royal blue go with that, but I do think the nude shoes would be best! Good luck and have fun!

  37. Hey,I’m a fourteen year old girl who’s had a past with dark colors.But this summer I wanna brighten up.I have a pair of ripped and studded red shorts and a white shirt that has a flower that’s yellow,orange,and magenta-ish red.Would that look right and what kind of jewelery and shoes would go great with it?Thanks!

    • It would really depend on your style and the style of the items you already have. If they’re ripped and studded shorts that you could see someone like Kate Bosworth wearing, then you would probably want to pair them with a pair of white converse tennis shoes, your tee, a cross body bag, sunnies and a fedora. You may want to google search Kate Bosworth and Nicole Ritchie. I bet you’ll find some ideas there as well.

  38. I need help please :) I have a big occasion coming up. I am going to wear a dark purple one shoulder, beaded wasteline dress. I want to know what color shoes should I wear with it. I wore it once with silver, but I think It’s too safe. I want it to be edgy but at the same time classy. Would the highlighter yellow work or should I go for a nude rhinestone shoe?

  39. I NEED YOUR HELP IAM WEARING A PAIR OF WHITE DENIMS AND BLUE HIGH NECK TOP WITH PINK DOTS ON IT I NEED TO KNNOW WHT BELT SHOULD I WEAR AND THE FOOTWEAR AND THE CLUTCH
    PLZZZ HELP REPLY ASAP!!!!!

    • Hello!

      I suggest nude or white strappy or closed-toe platform heels. The belt should be white to match shoes or pink to match dots. The clutch should be same color as shoes.

      Have fun!

  40. hey i have a aqua green dress a little darker to E shade color you have above. i don’t know what shoes to wear…..neither the color nor type. please help!

  41. To start off I’m a guy, but I’m trying to go against the usual color blocking scheme. I have an outfit but I’m not sure if it’s too much. Red shoes with khaki jeans, a white under tee with a navy blue pull over that has red print on it, an olive jacket over that and a red and khaki corduroy hat to top it off. Any suggestions to better the outfit?

  42. Hi. So I got a problem. I have a casual event coming up. And all I got is a royal blue hight wasted shorts that I really want to wear. But its winter where I am. Any help?? Thanks :)

    • Hi,i have a short black dress and a colour block shoes with (pink,red and a touch of orange)i don’t know how to to pull it off especially what accessories to use,help me out with how to make me stand,really want to look nice for my outing,pleasee??thanks …

  43. Pingback: How to Bring Color Blocking into Your Home Decor | AristoCraft Girls

  44. Ok.. I have a pair of color block wedge heels that are a bright orange, navy blue, beige, & brown. What type of outfit could I pair with these shoes & what color & accessories?

  45. i got really cute green shorts but i dont know a good top that would go with it?! what color tops go well with a strong green?

    • That’s such a great color! Any black and white top would be perfect! A royal blue would be cute too. Even if you did and identical green solid top for the jumper effect that would be super cute cuz then you could finish it off with some really fun accessories! Have fun!

    • How about a bright bold orange top. You can rock a pair of flat python print sandals or you can do that flats try the Boutique 9 Shoes, Georgetta Wedge Mules
      at same beige colored bangles and necklace.

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    • You can do SO much with royal blue! You can do white for a more formal look. Neon yellow would be super cute and stand out. Pink would be cute too. You could even stick with black.

  47. please help mee !
    so I’m wearing a royal blue dress with a white blazer and red shoes ? well not exactly shoes but you know what i mean. Do you think that would go ?

    • Totally especially with the holiday. Sounds like this is more of a dressy look so I would do a topknot bun, red lip and nails and would do some nice silver or pewter jewelry. I’d also throw a clutch in with it. The clutch should be any of those 3 colors but solid not print or even go with a metallic clutch to match your jewelry. Have fun!

  48. Pingback: Color Blocking Trend, the Hot Mixes | Bizou

  49. I just brought a turquois and black dress from urban outfitters and I am trying to achieve the color block look. What color shoes would help me pull off this look?

    • G C# or Bb a color similar to those:) and or if u dont like any of those ones or cant find any a color like F would work to :) hope this helps!!!

  50. I love wat you r doin plz do keep it up. I ve a red short dress 2 wear 4 a wedding. Dnt knw wat color of shoes 2 wear. I dnt want 2 wear black or gold.

  51. I have the jessica simpson bendie in blue violet!!! WHAT DO I WEAR??? should i incorporate each color in the outfit or what??? turquoise leggings pink blazer blue tank??? how do i do it?

  52. I love how you color block :) :) I’m new to color blocking and if you could please help me with a new ideas of colors that would go with a Grey bandage dress :) :) I was thinking maybe a bright red blazer with maybe Royal or bright blue heels :) :) what do you think?
    I hope you reply
    xx

    • The grey bandage dress alone sounds GORGE! Is it a dark grey or a lighter grey? If it’s a light grey I think you can get away with a red blazer beautifully. I would probably pair it with matching red heels and then a cute clutch…maybe in neon yellow!!! If it’s a dark grey, the blue heels would match, but you’d probably also want to do a matching blue jacket of some sort like a moto/racer jacket or a cropped jacket. Then you can throw in a random clutch in the purple or navy family. There’s my 2 cents!

  53. Hi fashionista,

    Im going to a part and decided that Im taking up color blocking and I would like your opinion on these (outfit) colors: yellow shorts, turquoise or purple top, thin hot red belt, and neutral brown wedges, topping it off with a beige and bronze bangle set

    Would this be proper for color blocking?

    xxox

    • First, I’m honored that you’d ask my opinion. Thank you! I think you’ve pulled together some great ideas. I guess I would ask what kind of yellow are the shorts {loud, muted, green-yellow, orange-yellow, neon-yellow or true banana yellow}. If they’re a vibrant yellow, I would probably lean toward making them your statement piece and dressing around them in a dark color like black (black top and shoes). If they’re a more subtle banana yellow, I would lean toward the turquoise top and depending on how close to your skin tone the shoes and bangles are, I would decide to keep the belt or not. If the shoes and bangles are very close to your skin tone, so much that they almost disappear, I’d go for the belt. If they’re a neutral, but not YOUR neutral {if you know what I mean} then I would ditch the belt and go for one that matches the shoes and bangle. I hope this helps. Have fun at your shindig!

  54. I love this post because I learned something new today…thank you. I love the mix and matching of the colors because they all blend so well. I also saw your photo shoot and your pictures came out so beautiful and those steve madden heels were off the gorgeous.

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  56. Pingback: Breslo :: Breslog — Color blocking

  57. Thank you so much for this post. I usually keep it very basic in terms of colors, but have been buying bright colors recently with intentions to try color blocking. The color wheel is awesome!

  58. I grew up doing this but never knew the term. Moms would always dress us in nice colors. She felt like kids shouldn’t be in dark shades but more vibrant looks. This has stuck with me. I love florals and bright colors. I must admit it wasn’t until recently when I began reading fashion blogs that I walked out of my element and begin mixing colors. I live in South Florida so I can be vibrant 24/7 which is a major plus.

    • Gotta love moms! Our moms were on the same wave length although I mostly wore hand-me-downs. Did I mention I don’t have any sisters. I had some pretty funny outfits. LOL Florida is the heart of wear-whatever-you-want-because-it’s-sunny-365-days-a-year! Go for color, girl!

  59. Yay Color-blocking!!! I just did a post on this and I’m uber excited to try… I’m looking forward to wearing “clashing” colors with a white or tan or other neutral thrown in there… and I wanna accent with a metallic… like gold, or silver, or copper. I’m super excited now… lol. Thanks for the post!

    Check it out! Gucci GOT IT SO RIGHT…
    http://dallasmonroe.com/2011/03/colorblocking/

  60. Yay!! I just did a post on color blocking and I am soOo0o excited to try it… lol. I wanna wear it by wearing two “clashing” colors and a white, or a tan, or some other neutral… and make it pop with some metallics… like gold, or silver, or copper… Am I way to excited? Okay, I’ll stop now. lol

    Check it out!
    http://dallasmonroe.com/2011/03/colorblocking/

  61. Ok, I am new to this fashion with color thing- meaning- I was always the matchy matchy type. I am trying sooo hard to get out of that. I get so confused with what shoes/stockings/knee hi’s to wear with outfit. I live on the east coast and yes it gets cold. I am NOT the one to be wearing nothing (stockings/knee hi’s) with my shoes. So, in the above ex… red skinny’s, denium shirt & grey shoes- what in the world color stockings/knee hi’s to wear? I am darkskin and really don’t like the nude look on my skin tone. Should your belt, shoe and legwear match?

    • There’s absolutely nothing wrong with matchy-matchy! If that’s what you’re feeling, then matchy-matchy to your heart’s content! LOL Little known fact, I was I’m a former matchy-matchy queen myself. :-) With color blocking, I always suggest grounding your outfit with neutrals whether it be nudes, tans, blacks, greys (I prefer grey). Pretty much, as long as you match your neutral shoes, stockings or knee-highs to another piece (ie. necklace, hat, purse, scarf) you’re good to go. Just keep it to 3 of the bolder colors. You don’t want to look like a pack of skittles. Although who doesn’t love Skittles. LOL You know it’s kinda sad that fashion’s nude is so not OUR nude. I dont wear nudes often for the reason. Anyways, that’s a whole other topic. Greys and camel browns work well as neutrals. In the winter you might even want to rock some fun stockings/leggings (ie. red, pink, orange, yellow, merlot) under an all black or all chocolate brown outfit (skirt, top and heels). Then you can add pops of that same stocking/legging color throughout your outfit (nails color, purse, earrings). What do you think?

      • Should your belt show and legwear match, hmmm….not necessarily. It depends on the look you’re pulling off. If you are doing a monochromatic look where your outfit is tonal (tonal: the colors you’re wearing are in the same color family but different shades ie. violet, purple, lavendar, etc.) yes, you can definitely pull off non-”matching” accessories. Also, a lot of the boho/hippie looks are non-matchy. I often where my Hub’s belt with shoes that don’t match, but I just like the contrast.

  62. Look at you, gettin all scientificky/Bill Nye the Science Guy with the color blocking. Got a color pie chart and errthang1 LOL!!!

    Seriously. Great post.

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