Colour you baddd

As in Michael J style. So baddd, it's good.
Today's lesson is about colour. As stated in the 'cut/fit' post, a well thought colour palette can take your look to the next level and is the second necessity to good style. Notice I say 'good'; remember the first rule of cuts, with one edit: 'Some colours will work for you, some will not, and if you are brave enough to work for it...' you had better be a master of the skill. That's another reason I found myself working in styling: not everyone has it--but with a little training, you can learn the right colour combos for your looks.

First, let's talk about how we describe our clothes: "I have this kinda-pink shirt, and it has this neck that goes like this, and it's long sleeve, and the material is just regular." We could sit here and break down the many ways this very sentence makes no one feel pretty, but alas, this post is about colour! Consider this diagram:

What do you notice about this wheel?

Hang on to that answer for a second.

Next, I'd like you to consider how we choose our colours. If you wore a 'blue shirt' or a 'red shirt' or any other primary variation, you probably couldn't read this blog (as you would be in kindergarten) or (again) be bored with your minimal selection!

Consider this tone wheel and therefore glossary of terms:

Hue- The pure color (for ex. RED)

Tone- Hue + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color)

Tint- Hue + White (will lighten the color)

Compliment Tint- Tint + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color)

Shade- Hue + Black (will darken the color)

Back to the 'kinda-pink shirt': consider the definitions of colours and how we describe everything else in this world. Sight unseen, you might believe the shirt is a shade of pink. But according to the wheel, it could be fuchsia or plum. Consider the yellow hue. The wheel progresses to lemon, a tint, and finally to mustard, a tone or shade. When we describe anything other than clothing, we often refer to all-encompassing, common words: lemon. salmon. midnight blue.

*Rather than a 'kinda-pink shirt', I want you to use your words. Are you looking for a 'red' shirt? Or will a red-violet or even red-orange shirt be more fitting for your occasion? This is the first step to a discriminating eye--'having excellent taste or judgement.'

Finally, I would like to introduce (or reinforce) colour combos, i.e. complimentary colours. The first and easiest way to describe this is to refer to the colour tone wheel above. The colours opposite one another are commonly the best combinations. Ever notice how sharp a turquoise necklace looks on a red-orange shirt? Not only is this due to contrast but also as a rule of the colour wheel. Also, the closer in tone you get, the safer the mix. Take it one step further and consider contrast. This season, pair a midnight blue pant with a bright jewel-tone top.

One last thing to keep in mind when playing with your colour combos: First, congratulations on getting this far. If you can recognize and adhere to the colours opposite one another on the wheel, you are well on your way to style (or at least for the purpose of this blog). I am often asked "Does this match?", which in my mind means "Does this colour combination work?" Whatever my answer may be, I have often found what one really means is "Does this and that match?" Literally match. Remember, as long as you think in tones, you are safe in the mix and are creating a colour scheme--which is the most optimal effect to great style. Remember, don't be 'that' girl who 'always wears black'!