Fashion 101: How To Combine Colors: Monochrome and Split Complementaries

Posted on | February 22, 2009 | 23 Comments

Module 4: Monochrome and Split Complementaries

We enjoyed playing with multi-colored ensembles so much last week we decided to give it another go…but we’ll also try out more subdued monochromatic looks. Week 4 of our Fashion 101 on Colors again explores two different color schemes: split complementaries and monochromatic colors. There are not many examples of either of these schemes in our archive of outfits, and the split complementaries will likely be a challenge on par with triads. It even sounds a little bit complicated.

Monochromatic:

Monochromatic color schemes use multiple shades of the same tone. Rather than dressing head-to-toe in a single tone of blue, for example, you can mix a pure hue with lighter and darker tints. This simple combination can be quite subtle and sophisticatedly understated. But, because shades of the same color can risk looking rather boring, this is also a good opportunity to play with pattern and texture.

Monochrome, originally uploaded by academichic.

E. and A. both sported black and grey for monochromatic looks but not with out a pop of color in at least their accessories.

Split Complementaries:

Split complementary color schemes are a bit more complicated – they are a variation of the complementary color scheme covered in Module 1. In the split version you pair one color with the two colors adjacent to its complementary. Examples include yellow with blue-violet and red-violet (adjacent to purple) and (dark) blue with red-orange and yellow-orange (adjacent to orange). The best way to figure out a split complementary scheme is probably to pull out the old color wheel, draw a line straight across to determine a complementary pair, and then look to to the immediate right and left of the complement.

Split Complementaries, originally uploaded by academichic.

Only S. has worn a split complementary when she wore salmon (orange-red) with blue and green (adjacent to blue-green).

Homework:

This week we will be challenging ourselves to master the split complementary and try out monochromatic schemes beyond black and grey. If you do too, drop us a comment and let us know!

If you missed Modules 1, 2, 3 click here for background on our color project!

Comments

23 Responses to “Fashion 101: How To Combine Colors: Monochrome and Split Complementaries”

23 February 2009 : academichic
February 23rd, 2009 @ 7:30 am

[...] is my first attempt at a monochrome look – its much less boring in person as you can see more variation both in color and [...]
Sal
February 23rd, 2009 @ 8:03 am

Looking forward to seeing the results of THIS round of experimentation.
24 February 2009 - Tone on Tone : academichic
February 24th, 2009 @ 7:22 am

[...] completely cheating on this supposedly red-violet monochrome look today by adding these patterned shoes. But, A. and S., I was having a wardrobe meltdown this [...]
24 February 2009 - Splitting My Compliments : academichic
February 24th, 2009 @ 7:57 am

[...] to go last night but decide this morning I needed to push myself in this challenge and try out a split complimentary scheme. This was by far the hardest outfit in these color challenges for me to pull together. I stared [...]
25 February 2009 - Noisy Split : academichic
February 25th, 2009 @ 8:15 am

[...] for this week’s color wheel challenge, but I’m trying to make up for it today with this split complementary outfit. The combination of orange cardigan and blue-green top toes the line of a pairing that I [...]
26 February 2009 - Shades of Blue : academichic
February 26th, 2009 @ 8:08 am

[...] pink on Tuesday, all green yesterday, and all blue today. I’m just being a good student and doing my homework this [...]
26 February 2009 : academichic
February 26th, 2009 @ 1:35 pm

[...] up an otherwise laid back outfit. Frankly, I find it difficult to keep a straight face around split complements. They’re just so darn [...]
27 February 2009 - Shades of Grey : academichic
February 27th, 2009 @ 9:39 am

[...] grey monochrome ensemble for a grey and dreary day. We had such wonderful weather this week and now it’s back [...]
27 February 2009 : academichic
February 27th, 2009 @ 10:33 am

[...] a week of color experiments, S. and I seem to be on the same page with our grey monochrome looks. This dreary day marks the end of a long and busy week and so a cozy wrap sweater, cotton [...]
27 February 2009 - Comfort Inn Edition : academichic
February 27th, 2009 @ 5:45 pm

[...] academichic central I remained committed to our color wheel experiment of the week with this purple monochrome ensemble. It’s all jersey, and comfortable enough to wear in the car but the boots and the [...]
CFP Deadline Extension : academichic
March 7th, 2009 @ 6:08 am

[...] a triad or a split complimentary experiment with neutrals by adding a pop of color or test out a monochromatic look. Just snap a picture and send it our way. We can’t wait to see what you come up [...]
25 February 2009 - Shades of Green : academichic
March 10th, 2009 @ 11:13 am

[...] I said that a pink monochrome outfit felt quite comfortable to me, but that blue and green would be more of a stretch. I take it back. I [...]
23 February 2009 - Split Complementaries : academichic
March 10th, 2009 @ 12:30 pm

[...] 101 module, we’re experimenting with monochromatic looks (as A. did so wonderfully today) and split complementaries. This latter seemed more challenging to me so I thought I’d jump right in and try to create [...]
Clare
April 6th, 2009 @ 6:38 pm

I tried the split complimentary idea and…loved it!

http://betweenlaundrydays.blogspot.com/2009/04/colorwheel-craziness.html
24 February 2009 - Shades of Pink : academichic
May 10th, 2009 @ 9:39 am

[...] I might try to be more adventures in the next few days and attempt an all blue or all green monochrome look…but for now I’m cozy and safe in my rose-colored ensemble, off to a day of meetings [...]
Reader Question: What to Wear to a Wedding : academichic
June 16th, 2009 @ 8:44 am

[...] add textured or patterned neutrals to your ensemble, you might also consider embracing a bold split complementary color scheme. On the color wheel red and orange are situated on either side of turquoise’s true [...]
9 July 2009 : academichic
July 9th, 2009 @ 10:12 am

[...] to transform jersey with exciting color play. The red-orange worn with green and blue make for a split complimentary, or if you count this as red-orange, blue-violet, and yellow-green, I’m sporting a [...]
15 July 2009 - Shades of Grey : academichic
July 15th, 2009 @ 11:25 am

[...] wore a similar palette back in February as a monochromatic look, using the same scarf as an obi. This scarf is a nice light weight so I am trying out the [...]
Split Complementary Colors?? « from Sneakers to Stilettos
August 20th, 2009 @ 2:45 pm

[...] have been following the lovely ladies over at academichic and their color module reviews. I am a not one that ever shies away from color but I don’t always experiment with different [...]
16 November 2009 – Two Dresses Redux : academichic
November 16th, 2009 @ 12:46 pm

[...] mother’s onyx and pearl ring and black flats with gray tights complete the monochromatic ensemble. While this may have been simple and subdued in color, I think it’s the details that [...]
18 November 2009 – On Monochrome and Gender : academichic
November 18th, 2009 @ 3:49 am

[...] Monochrome, Take II – this time I’ve paired shades of green with black (a neutral). I don’t wear monochromatic outfits often so this always seem exciting and out of my usual style-zone when I do put them together. I often wear one color with neutrals but then I introduce additional colors with my accessories. It’s rare that I will accessorize using only shades of the same color present in my outfit. But today’s greens worked out so well that I’m tempted to try this more often. Greenery, originally uploaded by academichic. [...]
3 December 2009 : academichic
December 3rd, 2009 @ 2:42 pm

[...] I can think is, holy jolly green giant! Wear green much? But it took me a while to learn how to do monochromatic and that outfit was part of my learning [...]
Seomieyohuz
December 15th, 2009 @ 5:49 am

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