Colour Matching

Creating balanced, pleasing to the eye outfits are not just made by those with a gift for 'style'; there are colour matching rules, when applied to an outfit they complement, blend, or accentuate one another. These rules compliment the outfit creation and selling process, as each combination makes a certain statement about the owner e.g. 'casual', 'formal', 'powerful', 'subtle' etc.

The basis of a business outfit are the suit colours: black, grey, navy (light grey and tan).

The first addition to the suit is a shirt.

Monochromatic match, different shades of one colour:

      Easy to match, easy on the eye,

 

      The shirt is a lighter shade of the colour of the suit 
     – this accentuates the suit, 

          e.g. Black suit w/ white shirt. (strong contrast)

          e.g. Navy Suit w/ light blue shirt. (subtle contrast)

      The shirt is a darker shade of the colour of the suit,
     – this accentuates the shirt (better for casual outfits),

          e.g. Light grey suit w/ black shirt.

          e.g. Tan suit, brown shirt.

Harmonious match, colours left and right of the suit's colour on the colour wheel:

      
     Interesting and subtle,

          e.g. Navy suit w/ plum or blue shirt (lighter shade of shirt = formal).

The second addition to the suit is a tie.

The tie has one of the following colour relationships with the suit and shirt, or more relationships when it has multiple colours in a pattern, this allows it to stand out as a feature of the outfit.

Contrasting match, colours at opposite ends of the wheel:

     for a strong contrast to the suit and/or shirt,

          e.g. Navy suit w/ cream or yellow tie.

          e.g. Blue shirt w/ red tie.

Harmonious match, colours left and right of the main colour on the colour wheel:

     for an interesting, easy on the eye combination,

          e.g. Navy suit w/ purple or royal blue tie.

          e.g. Forest green shirt w/ teal or green tie.

Monochromatic match, different shades of the same colour:

     for subtle unaccented outfits, emphasis goes on textures,

          e.g. Grey suit w/ dark grey tie (different texture).

The third additions to the suit are shoes and a belt.

Contrasting match:

     strong contrast, strong accent on the shoes,

          e.g. Navy Suit w/ brown shoes and belt.

Monochromatic match:

     easy to match, easy on the eye,

          e.g. Grey suit w/ black shoes and belt.

Harmonious match:

     creates an interesting mix of colours,

          e.g. Charcoal suit w/ brown or oxblood (red-brown) shoes.

Rules on matching colours:

• Keep to one pattern only per outfit, even if the colours match
• Limit yourself to 3 colours (inc neutrals – black, white, grey) per outfit, unless the additional colours make up a pattern or print

• Don't mix black with brown shoes (unless there are additional brown accessories)
• Don’t mix black and navy
• Don’t mix white and cream
• Brown and grey should be mixed with like tones (e.g., light brown w/ light grey)