Idiomatic expressions like ‘blue-collar’ may have no fashion relevance, but if you are willing to give it a literal tone, the following lesson in colour coordination might get you a foothold in the fashion quarters and help you adopt a wider fashion canvas. The idea is not to push you to fix on a blue-collar as an appendage to your shirt; rather, it is about breaking the colour shackles to experience fashion spectrum on a canvas of blue, red and all things bright on a colour wheel.
To begin, black with all things bright and light is not the only fashion dictates in the colour spectrum for men. Nor is fashion about going all out with colours that do not complement each other or project a harmonious look. Beginning with the colour wheel which presents 12 hues, find out which colours have an inherent connection with each other – for you. According to established norms, the colours closest to each other on the wheel are the ones that are easy to coordinate on a fashion scale. And that does not apply only to the shirt and the pant; it could be the tie or the shoes or any other accessory that you combine it with.
The right colour coordination demands you to also match or contrast the clothes with your skin and/or hair colour. The colours you opt for in your clothes should bring out your personality and take away the boring look. A little bit of mixing and contrasting colours is essential to rock the colour spectrum.
The choice of colours you pick ranges from similar and complementary colours to contrasting and neutral colours. While similar colours are those that border each other on the wheel, complementary colours are the hues that are directly opposite from each other. It is the contrasting colours that require more attention as they could be anywhere between similar and complementing shades. Neutral colours are often the core of most outfits; the oddity comes out when a dark neutral colour is paired with another dark neutral. Care needs to be paid while combining the neutrals.
Similar Colours
Similar or analogous colours are best saved for formal occasions. The colours should come across as a natural cohesion, which might not be possible with shades of pinks or greens. To check out if analogous colour works for you, match the colours that border each other on the wheel. Choose one colour for your suit, and pick adjacent colours for accessories.
Complementary Colours
These colours are placed opposite to each other on the wheel, but they complement each other perfectly – that is if you know how to pair the colours without taking it over the top. Yellow and purple are on the opposing sides, and putting together an outfit that has these two prominent colours is not everyone’s game. It calls for additions of tints and shades to make it bolder or lighter, whichever works for you.
Contrasting Colours
Contrasting colours sit next to each other on the wheel and share a synonymy on the fashion scale. Colours like blue, purple and pink are next to each other and can present a beautifully contrasting look, provided all the colours picked in the clothes are not at their brightest best. If it is a formal occasion, wearing a navy blue suit, with a lighter shade of pink, would be more effective. But if you are not comfortable in a pink shirt, you could wear a white shirt and top it with a printed pink tie.
Neutral Colours
Neutrals are not only about off-white shades or blacks; they are also colours that aren’t present on the colour wheel – blacks, greys, whites and earthy shades. Considering black is the core colour in most wardrobes, it is easy to pair it with almost any colour. But a black on black is a definite no. Black is, perhaps, best used as an accessory as you cannot go wrong with it. As a neutral colour, grey is more adaptable; however, it is best to use it as a replacement for black and not as a pair, especially dark grey and black. Brown, though, could be used alongside another noticeable colour. White will always reign supreme, as it just about complements every other neutral and darker colour on the wheel.
But, after all, is said and done, it is about your personal affinity towards colour and your willingness to experiment with the broad spectrum of colours.