Have a Colorful Day

I'm loving pictures with big bright pops of colors today...(well, any day really).  Bright colors make me so happy and energized.  

If I had a big old house with too many rooms to count, I would probably designate each room a different color.  However, since that isn't the case, I find that it is easiest to just decorate my simple, small living spaces in neutral colors, and then add one or two big pieces of art that "pop".  Then I may add a few complimentary color touches, such as a throw, carpet, giant vase of flowers, etc.  

via Our Labor of Love

Once upon a time, for a school project many years ago, I had to do a paper on the psychology of colors.  "Green symbolizes growth and blue is calming, red is energizing, yellow is happy and cheerful, ... and so on and so on..."  Yes, my paper was much longer and much more in-depth than that, but you get the general idea.  Colors have meanings.  And it is true that colors really can change or improve your mood.  

Do you find yourself wearing one or two, or three colors more often than the others?  Do you lean towards certain decorating schemes in your house, or apartment, or shoebox?  Do you have a favorite color?  What does it say about you, your moods, and your personality?

via ms seductive

Now, having worked in the Fashion Industry for years, I can definitively say I have seen people wear just about every color combination known to man.  Some really, truly crazy stuff.  And I'm pretty sure some people got dressed in the dark, half-asleep, and then tried to pass it off as avant-garde.  

via Carla Coulson

If you want to experiment with colors but don't want to look foolish in the process try the Rule of Three.  Three colors maximum.  (and I mean, max!)  Most of the really great color-blocking outfits seen on street style stars revolves around three colors -- perhaps different shades of one color may also be mixed in -- but it is generally going to be around three.  When pairing items together to wear, or when creating a window display or advertisement, odd numbers rule.  It is just much easier for the eye to process, believe it or not. 

I don't really recommend wearing a multi-colored, multi-patterned piece of clothing, then piling on two or more additionally different colors, and then adding some large, competing accessories.  You will look like you had a fight with your closet and nobody survived victorious.  

1. Start out small - one neutral color, then layer on a second solid color, and your third color / pattern should be accessories or shoes.  After you feel like you have mastered this, progress to the next step.
   
2. This time, start with your base layer - a pattern perhaps? - then add either one opposite layer over this, or a combination of shades in the same color which compliments the pattern. 
   
   For Example:: a navy blue Ikat dress could be paired with either a contrasting orange or red sweater + brown heels, OR with a complimentary turquoise sweater, and a cobalt scarf, + light purple heels. 
3. Moving on... start with your base layer - a bright color or pattern - then add either a second bright color over this (usually from the opposite side of the color wheel), or a second pattern that does not compete with the first pattern.  This is highly important. Then add your accessories, which should be one of your three main colors, or neutral.
   
   For Example:: a navy sheath dress + green sweater + a neon yellow skinny belt.  Then you can add matching yellow heels, or even a tan or nude heel here.  OR pair a blue/white striped tee + cuffed jeans + red floral scarf + yellow ballet flats.  (In this case, the yellow, red and blue are the three colors, and the hints of white are your neutral fourth accent).

A good rule of thumb for beginners is that if the colors can't be found in some type of complimentary pairing in nature, there's a chance it won't work.  Most importantly, have fun with it, and be confident.  The confidence and enjoyment you get out of this is key!

via Danske

via Our Labor of Love

via Tim Irving

x,

RH