Colour Matching Style Guide
The colours that you choose to wear really can really make or break an outfit, especially if you’re like us and love to layer! Here at Kit and Kaboodal, we believe that colour matching and contrasting has the power to add depth, coordination and cohesion to any look and, when you get it right, can instantly transform any outfit and make for a stylish and put-together look.
So, which colours should you be opting for when creating an outfit? For many women, it can be so easy to fall into a rut when it comes to your wardrobe, throwing on the same items of clothing each week, but let’s face it, there aren’t many of us who haven’t resorted to an all-black ensemble, simply because it’s reliable and easier than trying something new.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the best colour combinations for you to use when layering your clothing, as well as a few unique pairings that you might not have considered wearing before. We’re certain that our tips will give you the inspiration to embrace wearing colour, whether this means digging through your wardrobe and giving new life to your old favourites or treating yourself to a couple of colourful new pieces from our collection.
Read on to discover our colour coordination clothes tips and transform the way that you style your smart and casual outfits.
Define Your Neutrals
Our go-to neutral shades:
- Black
- Grey
- White
- Navy
- Beige
If you aren’t quite ready to go all-out with your colour matching, these neutral colours work as a great starting point for any outfit. Look for jeans, tops and jackets in these colours to begin with, and then once you are happy to incorporate a bolder shade to your look, your neutral pieces are guaranteed to provide a beautiful contrast, drawing attention to whatever colour you choose.
Add A Pop Of Colour
Introducing a splash of colour to a neutral outfit is a great first step to becoming a colour coordination pro, and since there’s no risk of the colours clashing, you can be as daring as you wish. When the main focus of your ensemble is the ‘pop’ of colour, you can afford to be bold and bright, meaning that you can go a step further than pastel shades and start thinking about which colours you would truly love to start wearing.
A neutral pair of leggings or jeans are guaranteed to look amazing when styled alongside a hint of and bright shade you can think of, from cobalt, fuchsia and red, to emerald green or mustard. By finishing off your outfit with a jacket or cardigan in a neutral shade, you can create a look that will effortlessly see you through from day to night.
The same rules go for dresses; a neutral coloured dress can be instantly amped up with a brightly coloured scarf or jacket, and even a pair of statement coloured boots or tights will give your outfit that fabulous pop of colour.
Colour Matching Clothes: How to Nail Colour Coordination in Every Outfit
Pink and Grey
Once you’ve got to grips with pairing neutrals and brights, it’s time to start adding a more varied selection of shades into your wardrobe to create a wider assortment of looks for you to choose from. Of course, you’ll want to avoid looking like you got dressed in the dark, which is why we’ve put together a rundown of some of our favourite colour pairings that you can easily introduce to your everyday outfits.
This is one of our favourite ever colour pairings as it’s just so versatile! Pink and grey complement each other perfectly and you can play around with any variation of the shades to create looks that will never go out of style. Knitwear pieces such as a pale pink cardigan or jumper look great when layered over grey leggings for a laid-back aesthetic, and a statement pink jacket will go perfectly with a grey dress or tunic for a perfect contrast.
Blue and Turquoise
This beautiful colour combination is perfect for those who are looking to embrace a brighter colour palette. It’s rare to find shades of blue that don’t work well when they are paired together, but there is something very special about the sophistication that blue and turquoise brings to an outfit. We love the impact of turquoise accessories worn over a cobalt blue outfit. The colour really stands out and you can add other neutral elements to the outfit to keep the focus on the brighter colour pairing.
Tan and Burgundy
For those who would like to venture into the world of colour, but don’t want to go too bright, the combination of tan and burgundy offers an excellent, wearable option. The warming tones of tan and burgundy work wonderfully together, especially when you play with chunky fabrics and layering for an autumnal or winter aesthetic. As these colours can be quite dark, we’ve worked with embellishments and patterns to create extra tones and depths to add a point of difference to every look.
Orange and Blue
Orange and blue are two bold shades that will definitely turn heads. We adore this combination as it offers an ideal option for the spring and summer seasons, as well as your next beach holiday. If you aren’t a fan of bolder shades, we’ve picked out some of our more understated ways to embrace this trend using footwear and accessories. Don’t be afraid to experiment with textures here, as combining different fabrics will actually soften your look and give your entire outfit an extra hint of sophistication.
Green and Yellow
This colour combination may sound a little unusual, but stay with us! There are so many shades that fall under the green and yellow umbrella, and when paired together, create a look that is perfect for autumn and winter. We’ve stuck to a forest green and mustard palette here to show how great these two colours work together, however, you can also choose a brighter green and yellow to create a look that stands out.
Pale Blue and Pink
Love all things pastel? This is the colour combination for you. Pale blues and pinks are known for working perfectly together, creating a soft, feminine look that is perfect for the spring and summer months. Again, the texture is key here and we recommend layering soft knits with other fabrics to give the outfit more depth, or why not try a simple pair of light blue jeans with a pink linen shirt for a casual look?
What are your favourite colour combinations? Have we inspired you to be a little more daring when colour coordinating clothes in your wardrobe or are you happy sticking with your everyday outfits? Get in touch and let us know!