The 5 Thou Shall's of Color Blocking: Tips For Rocking the Trend

Written by Fly11, Fashion Chick, The Cubicle Chick.com Style Contributor

Remember in preschool picking the loudest and most vibrant colors from the crayola palette and splashing them against paper until someone said “How lovely?” Well because we aren’t five, the onlookers might be a little more critical than nice when observing your latest attempt at color blocking. Worry not! It’s easier than you think and once you preview these Color Blocking Commandments you’ll be a walking billboard for what everyone else should’ve done this morning. “I don’t need to try color blocking. I’m happy without” you say? This is the part where I remind you that color used to be your favorite thing to do in preschool…tap into your inner child and fearlessly go where all fashionable closets have gone before.

Color Blocking Commandments…

1. Thou Shall Use Solids: mixing trends can be fun and a way to set yourself aside from the copycaters of fashion mag’s who do everything by the book. However, mixing the wrong trends would be style suicide. So as much as you may want to throw in a print or pattern such as stripes with your color blocking extravagance…please note that color blocking is most righteously done with solids for the full color effect.

2. Thou Shall Strive for Color Balance: yes fashion is both art and science. This color balancing aspect may very well be the trickiest of tasks. When color blocking, all items must have equivalent pizzazz. If you choose one pastel hue, all other colors must be of the same color depth. If you choose a bright cobalt blue, then your other colors must be just as bold such as a fire engine red. Mixing pastel and bolds might turn out well for you but it won’t give you the color blocking look that has been haute for at least the last four years.

3. Thou shall Use Complementary Colors: these are the colors that appear directly opposite from one another on the color wheel. Check out the wheel below to get a few ideas on color combinations for your next color blocking attempt:

: Color Wheel: Look for Opposites

4. Thou Shall Start Simple: a cobalt blue dress matched with bright yellow shoes is probably the easiest road to take. As you get more comfy with yourself, you can throw in a bright red sweater or jacket but remember to stop there before you become an example of a “do not” listed below :(. Of course you are not limited to the colors described above but try to stick with a solid brightly colored dress and shoes of a complementary color of you are a newbie to color blocking. This tip is also important because it is the least likely to cut your figure in places and areas that may not be as flattering. With a dress, you get a solid fit that either works or it doesn’t.

5) Thou Shall Rely on Color Blocked Pieces: Using a color blocked top, dress, skirt, or even pair of shoes is a quick and certain way to successfully integrate color blocking into your wardrobe. If you chose to wear a color blocked item, match it with more neutral colors such as nude, tan, or black.

Check Below for ideas on how to color block an outfit and pieces that have already been color blocked for you.

Color Blocking Outfits by fly11 featuring bamboo handbags

Color Blocking Frenzy by fly11 featuring flat sandals

Comments

Terri K (@tkharmonic) says

May 4, 2012 at 5:20 pm

I’ll never be in style, my favorite color blocking look is different shades of the same color. I especially like blues, navy blue & powder blue. I also like purples together, violet and lavender.

- The Cubicle Chick says
  
  May 4, 2012 at 11:50 pm
  
  Terri, thanks for commenting. I think style and fashion aren’t just trends, but the unique way people put looks together. Color blocking was something we all did in the 80’s and 90’s and seeing it comeback and be redone into a classic and trendy look is fun. I love working with colors. 🙂
  
- Fly11 says
  
  May 11, 2012 at 5:59 pm
  
  Terri, that’s absolutely a great way to start and I also love to mix different hues in the same color family. Color blocking is about the contrasting shades though so don’t be afriad to take it up a notch and try a bright red with your navy blue or a sunny yellow :).
  
Reese says

May 6, 2012 at 7:53 am

Thanks for the tips! I haven’t really tried this kind of look though I have been meaning to for the fear that it may end up a fashion disaster. But I think I can now.

- Fly11 says
  
  May 11, 2012 at 6:00 pm
  
  WOW! How awesome to know that the post has made your feel more confident about expressing yourself stylishly. That was the exact intention :)! I’d love to see what you come up and hear about your experience. Good luck Fashionizer!!
  
Kid Noble Tech Dude says

May 6, 2012 at 6:10 pm

Another good tip I’ve learned when it comes to color blocking is to use different textures instead of using patterns (like Fly11 says above!). For instance…a crocheted top with a solid color pair of shorts, or denim with khaki…etc.

- Fly11 says
  
  May 11, 2012 at 6:06 pm
  
  Actually I would recommend being careful with different textures because texture can change the vibrance of a color as well as it’s blendability. I have seen this tip done before but it is quite difficult to pull off and I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners.
  
Dee says

October 28, 2014 at 9:37 am

I am having trouble pairing a blazer with a cobalt-ivory and black colour-blocked dress, with cobalt being the most dominant colour (see weblink). What colour of blazer would you suggest? Thanks.