{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?

Sources:

• Tank: Sparkle and Fade via thrift store
• Cardigan: Gap Outlet
• Scarf (as belt): ?
• Shoes: Nine West
• Shorts: Banana Republic Outlet
  (below)
• Tank top: Banana Republic
• Cardigan: Theory via Off 5th
• Pants: Anne Taylor Loft
• Belt: Betsey Johnson via Filene’s Basement
• Shoes: Ciao Bella via DSW

1 August 2010 – The Big Apple, originally uploaded by academichic.

Endnotes:
Like E and A, I too was in NYC briefly last week, which gave me the opportunity to dress up a little more than I have been recently. I missed E’s visit, but A and I enjoyed a lovely day of museums, galleries, and of course shopping! We were having such a good time we completely forgot to document our outfits for the day, but I’ve recreated mine as another example of how to bring color into the city. Magenta and turquoise are definitely two of my favorite colors and happen to be two-thirds of a color wheel triad as well (blue-green, red-purple, and the third is yellow-orange). I included this studded belt to bring up the edginess factor and the flats and stretchy black pants doubled as chic and amazingly comfortable. Today I am back out in the country, and I wanted to create a two-thirds outfit with this green apple tank top that I had recently thrifted. The blue cardigan fulfilled the color wheel part, and the scarf-as-belt brought in purple, turquoise, and more light green.

1 August 2010 – The Green Apple, originally uploaded by academichic.

As you can see my scarf went from securely held down by belt loops to loosely knotted at the waist. I’ve often used this scarf as a belt, but I’d never tried the over-the-sweater belted look until I was inspired by my “cohort” from their scarf Fashion 101 challenge from last February. I’m learning as much as you are! Next up for Color Wheel Fashion 101: Neutrals (with a pop)!

Sources:

• Purple tank – BR Outlet
• Purple cardi – H&M
• Pendant – Anthropologie
• Jeans – thrifted
• Boots – thrifted
• Vintage scarf – Vintage Threadz on Etsy

Endnotes:

I have thus far used a scarf to add a pop of color to a monochromatic outfit, to create a monochromatic color scheme, and to forge an analogous connection, so it should only follow that I tackle a complimentary color scheme today. This little yellow scarf joins the purples of my tank and cardigan to make for a bold and bright complimentary color mix. I find smaller square scarves to be a bit of a challenge but this lightweight vintage piece adds the perfect dash of color to brighten up my neckline. A. once wore this same sunflower scarf around her tote, which is a great way to make use of those gorgeous diminutive scarves that can be somewhat of a challenge for every day wear.

Complimentaries, originally uploaded by academichic.

Now I want to digress a bit today and point out an interesting article from a day ago in the New York Times featuring German photographer Ute Mahler. Mahler worked as a fashion photographer for a magazine called Sibylle in the GDR (East Germany during the divide) and in this brief interview she sheds some light on the role of clothing and artistic expression under a totalitarian regime. Mahler also makes the poignant distinction between fashion and style – in brief: external vs. internal forces of expression – and how in a society that restricts the former, the latter will invariably still thrive.

I wanted to point this out because it addresses a role of clothing we sometimes overlook – clothing as a means to subvert, challenge, or resist. And I don’t mean to resist or challenge mainstream trends or dominant looks of a given era. I mean a resistance on a much grander scale that challenges and subverts political agendas or reigning ideologies.

This article got me thinking, do I use clothing to make a political statement? I know I consciously make statements about my career, age, marital status, and financial income with the way I present myself to others, but what other statements do I make? Am I ever consciously using clothing as a way to resist or challenge something I don’t believe in? No easy answers come to mind other than the somewhat humorous example of A. and I having cross-dressed for a ‘gender bender’ party that certainly had implications beyond just dressing up as the opposite sex and having a good time. While I don’t have an obvious or simple conclusion for this post, I thought it was worth bringing this topic to you if for no other reason than to acquaint you with a really talented photographer and artist. And I more than encourage and welcome your thoughts on the matter. S.

18 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

A little while ago, we reviewed our Fashion 101 Color Modules using our summer wardrobes. After reviewing the first two modules, we put out a CFP asking you, our readers, to submit any images showing how you put those modules into practice. We received many fabulous entries, showing just how stylish and color savvy our readership is. Now we’re looking for examples inspired by our second portion of the review, which covered Triads and Analogous Colors and Split Complementaries and Monochrome color combinations.

If you played along and created outfits showcasing the above color combinations, please send us an image and a brief description at the below address. We look forward to your submissions!

Sources:

All remixed except for brooch used as button:

• Brown shrug – Target
• Brooch as button – souvenir from San Francisco
• White tuxedo front top - J.Crew
• Brown skirt – ON
• Gray wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com
• Brown beads – thrifted

Neutrals:

While here at Academichic Central we are struggling to beat the heat with cool neutrals, our lone all-neutrals submission came from a far away reader in a winter climate.  We love how Missy P made her winter white really pop by pairing it with layers of rich brown form head to toe.

Neutrals with a Pop:

We are all jealous of Missy P’s beautiful coat collection, particularly this striking red wool coat which provides the perfect pop in a mix of cozy neutrals. What a great way to add some color to a dreary winter day!

In Dawn’s own words: “I decided to mix navy, black & cream with red, and felt fabulous breaking one of the central commandments of style!”  We adore this  fabulous example of why some rules are just meant to be broken!

Two-Thirds of a Triad:

This beautiful predominately neutral look – made extra special with the addition of two pops of color – is a perfect example of the two thirds rule- Esstea explains: “I love how just those two little bursts of color played off each other and made the neutral charcoals and blacks look zippier.”  We couldn’t agree more!

We also love this take on the two-thirds rule: Pairing the brightest pink in her closet (red) with her darkest navy denim (blue), Esstea creates yet another stunning color combo. Very chic!

Water Girl put together a two thirds of red-blue-yellow triad, writing:  ”I love blue and red together, but always struggle with making sure I don’t look like a 4th of July firecracker”. Well no problem here! This belted jacket and pretty skirt combo are nothing if not chic and put-together!

Krissie’s take on the blue-yellow-red triad combined blue and yellow in this elegant professional look. Taking her cue from A’s DIY flower and ribbon belt, she finished off this ensemble with her own version in rich brown hues.

Complimentary Colors:

Orange and blue, complimentary colors often sported by both S. and E., seemed to be by far the most popular complimentary color submission. Here Krissie is employing the little trick of letting a pattern do the color mixing work for you with this beautiful abstract print skirt.

Redcactusflower was inspired by E.’s recent orange and blue outfit to wear a color combination she wouldn’t normally try. We love the sleek look of this ensemble with the structured tan skirt and the unexpected burst of orange from this gorgeous bauble necklace.

Clare’s casual version of a blue and orange complimentary look is bold and summery. We love the slight variation on the ‘true’ colors with her choice of red-orange and blue-green and we’re also mighty impressed by how not even an arm cast can dim her sense of style! Rock on, Clare!

Jessica took a different approach to the same red-green complimentary color combination by pairing a pink top with a mint green floral skirt. The delicate beaded necklace of pinks, browns, and greens brings this entire outfit seamlessly together.

Thank you, all, for your wonderful submissions! We’ve really enjoyed being inspired by you and hope that our readers will find equal enjoyment in perusing these beautiful pictures and stunning color combinations.

When we first explored the color wheel and experimented with various color combinations, we found it to be extremely helpful in lending us new eyes with which to see our wardrobes. This was so useful the first time around, that we decided to revisit the color modules and to challenge ourselves to a review session using our summer wardrobes. We have recently reexamined Neutrals and Neutrals with a Pop, Complementary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule, Triads and Analogous Colors, and are now left to go over Monochrome and Split Complementary Color Combinations.

To read more about this color mix lesson, click here…

Module 4: Monochrome and Split Complementaries

Week 4 of our Review of  the Fashion 101 Color Modules again explores two different color schemes: split complementaries and monochromatic colors.

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 without 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 here. In the split version you pair one color with the two colors adjacent to its complementary. Examples include green with red-violet and red-orange (adjacent to red) and 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.

Endnotes:

For today’s analogous color mix, I’m venturing over to A.’s side of the color wheel and wearing green and blue together. It’s not a combo I often wear, but one I should definitely give more consideration. This outfit began with this bright green puffy-sleeved tunic that I thrifted while visiting my friend A.P. recently. We managed to squeeze in a bit of thrift store shopping as a nod to our olden days together and it was great. When I first picked up this top, I thought it was way too loud and way to puffy-sleeved, but I tried it on anyway. Both A.P. and I loved it on and I love it even more today. So if I may be pedantic for just a moment:  judging clothes on a hanger is often misleading. Try stuff on!

To create an analogous color play, I added this blue and green scarf around my very messy hair today. I’m also excited to wear my new earrings, which T. gifted me on our wedding day.

And yet another wedding item: my flip-flops. I bought these as a back-up shoe in case my heels became too uncomfortable after hours of standing or if I had to drive the MG home and needed a more sensible shoe. I didn’t need to resort to them, but it was still worth the $12 investment to have them on hand just in case. I can’t imagine anything worse than worrying about blisters and achy feet when you’d want to be enjoying your wedding day. Plus, it provided a nice little excuse for me to peruse the shoe section at Target, which is always a (pretty affordable)  treat. S.

Endnotes:

Today’s analogous combination is green and yellow. The inspiration for this look came from the skirt, which already does the analogous mixing for me. Its soft interweave of blues, greens, and yellows more than proves that colors neighboring each other on the color wheel create subtle yet harmonious mixes.

I purchased this skirt for my MA graduation and have since worn it for a handful of special occasions, such as celebrating A’s completion of her Comps or a visit to the Memphis Opera with T. a few years back. For the most part, it sits all lonesome in my closet not seeing much of the outside world. That’s because I’ve subconsciously dubbed this skirt a special occasion item, thus relegating it to a life of hermitic preservation. But I think it’s a shame that those items we love most, are often the ones we wear the least, reverentially ‘saving’ them for that special occasion or event that warrants their exposure to the world.

The lovely Sal of Already Pretty had a wonderful recent post urging readers to essentially live in the moment and start enjoy the bodies they have today. Rather than mourning a past ‘perfect’ body or holding out for a better body yet to be attained, she argues that we should embrace the one we’re living in now. With slightly less gravitas, I urge you to enjoy the clothes you love today, saving less of your favorite items for an event still to come or as a memento of a special occasion gone.  Why not enjoy those beloved garments on a more regular basis?  S.