Seeing how BOLD COLOR is one of the anticipated 2011 Spring Trends, we decided to revisit our color wheel of clothes and review how we make color work for us.
{images from NY Fashion Week courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar}
When we first began academichic, we decided to articulate our use of color in terms of color theory and a clear methodology (yes, we’re nerdy academics that way). To begin this process, we created a handy color wheel made of garments found in our closet and S.’s best dinner china…
Then we approached the different color combinations individually and formulated some guidelines for how to make them work for us. Monochrome color combos (as featured on the runway during New York’s fashion week and pictured above) can be especially tricky since one can end up looking a bit caroonish dressed head to toe in one hue. Here is how we initially theorized getting dressed in monochrome and here are some of our favorite looks demonstrating that…
Of course, monochrome is easier done when you have one garment (like a dress) doing all the work for you…
A close friend to monochrome is the analogous color combination. Read our explanation of analogous color pairings here and see some examples below…
But this Spring’s trend isn’t just about monochrome or colors that are neighborly on the color wheel. We’re also seeing a good amount of bold and punchy color mixes, which are usually a result of complementary color combinations or the ever challenging triad.
Can you spot the complementary color pairing in these outfits?
How about the triads?
It’s not like we need the excuse, but we do love that this season’s ‘trend’ is one that we can more than get behind. We’ll be pulling out our brightest and boldest just in time to celebrate the end of Winter. How about you? What bright colors are you embracing for Spring?
Your explanations of color theory are great! I love the colors orange, yellow, and cobalt blue, green and definitely plan to incorporate them into outfits this spring!
The color wheel posts are among my favorites that you do…more, more! Thank you, love this post!
The review was very helpful. And I loved the pop quiz! I hope I got the answers right :) Thanks.
[...] the guys from Proenza Schouler which taked about ways to wear spring’s bright colors trend (they were far less thorough than the academichics were on this topic this weekend!). Interestingly, they recommended wearing bright colors against black as a way to [...]
Complimentary color combinations are great! Less enthusiastic about the monochromatic outfits, except the bright dresses, but those are hard.
[...] Bold Colors is a major fashion trend this season. Academichic shows you how to make bold colors work for you! [...]