Need advice on color matching for clothing? – Here’s top 10 tips -part 1

This post I wanted to write for a long time. Because when it gets to “matching” I am a freak   - always try to combine everything the right way. However looks to me that the American style doesn’t care much about it. Is it only me or you also think it’s strange to see yellow purse, green shoes and pink clothes? Or like one girl the other night at the tanning salon – pink lounge pants, brown hoodie, sneakers and bright red Chanel purse. OK, I understand she wants everybody to see her brand handbag, but come on – lounge outfit with leather bag in totally different color? I mean seriously – why people do not match their purse with shoes and then with the whole outfit? Is it so hard or is just trendy to dress like a clown?

It also took me a long time to make a research on the subject “advice on color matching for clothing“. And despite all the theories I read about the color  wheel, hues, primary colors,   secondary colors and tertiary colors, I’ve decided to write a post about my own 10 tips on dress color matching. So I hope you will enjoy the next two posts related to combining different colors, but please remember this is only my opinion and not some well-proved theory I would love to hear your rules about matching clothes and if you agree or not with my way. Let me tell you about my first   5 pieces of advice on color matching for clothing and then I will give you ideas on five different trendy and affordable colorful outfits.

1. Don’t put on more than three colors.

That’s a very old rule that I always try to follow. Once somebody told me that the sophisticated and classy ladies do not wear clothes in more than three colors at the same time. And I should say I absolutely agree with this argument. That means if you have bottom and top in different tones and you don’t have purse and shoes in neither of these colors, choose them both in neutral (white or black). That’s it – three is enough. More than that is elaborate and overdressed.

As a bonus to advice No 1 on how to match color clothes will show you one of the trendiest combination for this summer: blue + yellow

Price:  $21.99                                                                                                   Price:  $36.95

The trendy yellow top is from the best online store for sexy and affordable clothes – DH Styles and the fashion jeans in dark blue, which perfectly match the yellow, are available at  NY & Company. That combination will be very modern this season. Neon or light yellow plus some classic jeans in marine blue will make your tanned skin look very sexy. Gold or yellow accessories will work perfectly. If you don’t have jeans purse and flats, some in neutral colors will fit too.

2. Don’t match warm with warm colors.

Honestly for me the ugliest combination is red with orange or pink. However lately I am seeing more and more matchings of these colors. Maybe it’s trendy or fashionable, however I don’t like it and I would not wear more than one warm color at the same time. Red, pink, orange and yellow should be matched with cold or neutral colors, like the outfit below – it’s one of my favourite combinations: pink + grey. Not so long ago we matched a whole sporty and affordable outfit in these colours – check it out here.

Price:  $21.99                                                                                    Price: $39.50/2 for $55

Again I took the pink satin mandarin top from DH Styles online store. The trendy jeans are from PacSun.com where you can find lots of colorful pants. These trendy clothes can become a very hot club apparel if you match them with some silver heels and accessories. If you have a silver clutch – the picture will be complete. White shoes + purse + belt can work pretty well too. Light colors will definitely fit better here than dark (black) tones.

3. Purse & Shoes & Belt should match

That’s probably my rule number 1 – especially when it comes to shoes and purse – they have to be in one and the same color. Period. And it will be nice if the belt is matching too. I can’t understand how people don’t find it necessary to match the shoes with the purse? Of course there might be exceptions, however still pick up your bag to be at least a color that you currently have on. For example I just bought that very nice pink purse and I still don’t have the appropriate sandals, however I couldn’t wait to show it out. So I’ve chosen pink + blue outfit which means blue hoodie, accessories and flip flops matched with pink top, skirt and purse. Or I have these Zara red pants which can be combined with black top & shoes plus red purse. Probably take a look at these J4L leather satchels which are perfect to match in business outfits.

My color matched outfit No 3 is brown + green:

Price:  $15.99                                                                                    Price: $22.99

I’ve always loved how brown is fitting green. This lovely lace long sleeve top is from DH Styles and the green fashion shorts from Charlotte Russe. This two pieces I would match with brown purse and shoes (flats, sandals) and green accessories. It will be so cute! But if you don’t like brown/green shoes, you may try with white… just don’t put brown next to black.

4. Match your nail polish

I am not super sophisticated or organized, however I hate to see red  pedicure and orange manicure – it’s just not right. And I am not saying we should wear only one and the same nail polish, but we can at least try to match the colors. What I mean is: if your pedi is light pink, use a shade of the pink (bright, neon) for the manicure so the difference won’t be that obvious. I love bright warm colors nail polish, although I don’t wear that many pink, red or orange clothes. But since your pedi and manicure matches it’s not that important the color of the clothes. And because it’s rare that I use one and the same polish for both places, at least I have them grouped into pink, orange, peach and red (light, bright, neon)

Speaking about warm colors, let’s take a look at one outfit combining red + black:

Price: $22.99                                                                                  Price:  $39.50/  2 for $55

I didn’t want to match any color with neutral one, because they go with pretty much everything. However I couldn’t think of better combination for red. For sexy club outfit red + black is the perfect choice. And this time the top is from DH Styles – can you believe it The super skinny true black jeans are available at the only place for trendy colorful pants – PacSun. Now can you imagine this outfit with red nail polish, black heels and clutch and some very simple accessories? Hmmm, classy and sassy.

5. Don’t wear same color top and bottom.

This rule is valid especially for the warm bright colors – can you imagine wearing neon yellow or tomato red top and bottom – I think kind-a-overdressed? So, avoid too much matching unless it is black + black or white + white. Wearing one and the same color top & bottom is ok for the neutral tones, otherwise – use your imagination or the color wheel.

My last suggestion on color matching for today is orange + white

Price:  $24.99                                                                                 Price:  $9.99

Just like with outfit No 4 (red + black) I think the best combination for orange is the neutral white. Probably it fits nice with brown and grey   - just be careful not to overdress with too many colors – 3 is enough! This orange & white dress is from the DH Styles new arrivals and is perfect for my choice as combines both colors. And because it’s kind a short I’ve decided to match it with some leggings from Tilly’s. White sandals or flip flops and purse in the same color will make this look very cute and trendy.

I hope you enjoyed today’s top 5 tips   on color matching for clothing and liked the suggested trendy and affordable outfits. As usual DH Styles offered the hottest tops and dresses – all for less than $25.00! Stay tuned for the continuation of this post and if you feel like discussing colors with someone – let me introduce myself – the matching freak!