The Importance of Color: How to Make Your Outfits or Space More Interesting
There are certain outfits that just never go out of style, such as jeans and white tee. This look can often be referred to as “model off duty” style. But how do these chic city girls we see on Pinterest manage to not make their “basic” outfits look boring?
The Rule of (Around) 3
Okay, this is a rule that I am sure exists, and if it doesn’t then it should. When building an outfit, you should try and focus on three main colors or patterns. For example, instead of wearing blue jeans and a white tee, add some gold accents or colored sneakers to your outfits. If you have a multicolored sweater, focus on two or three other colors to emphasize in your other clothing pieces. The rule of three is flexible, and sometimes can be the rule of four. I would personally try to not add more than four main colors to my outfit, but if colorful is your style, then go for it!
In the image above I am wearing black pants, a green jacket, a pink scarf, and a grey hat. (I am also wearing a grey sweater, but it is hard to see in the image). In this outfit I chose to focus on two bright colors that went well together (green & pink), and two mild colors (grey & black). Now just a disclaimer here, this is in no way my best outfit, and I had to scramble together the warmest clothes I could find for this impromptu snow day. Overall I feel that I made the best outfit I could out of my resources I had at the moment. I was wearing Dr. Martens boots in the snow though, which I do not recommend.
This rule can apply to space, too!
Choosing around three colors to focus on at one time in your space can make your room cute while keeping it peaceful. When decorating my room, I usually choose softer tones as this creates a safer space for me, but you should surround yourself with the colors that make you happy.
As you can see in the image above, my bed focuses on oranges, greens, and browns. These colors compliment each other to create an interesting space that also flows together. (Not pictured are my green striped sheets).
Pattern wise, I also focus on the rule of (around) three. I gravitate towards floral, gingham, and striped patterns, as seen above. Although I believe this would be too many patterns to wear in an outfit, it manages to work in a room.
The Pop of Color
One of the easier ways I have found to spice up an outfit is by simply adding a pop of a bright color. Living in a place where it is constantly gloomy outside, creating colorful outfits is one way that I add a bit of joy to my dark environment, especially in the winter.
One of my favorite ways to add a pop of color into an outfit is through a bright scarf. Not only are scarves super cozy in the winter, but they can make any outfit stylish and fun. In my snow picture above you can see how my pink scarf stands out against my otherwise dull background and clothing pieces.
In the image above, my sister and I are both wearing brightly colored and festive scarves. As you can see, we are both wearing relatively dull colored sweaters. Our outfits would have been okay, but nothing special without our bright scarves to add a pop to our sweaters and make our outfits interesting.
I always enjoy adding color to my outfits, especially in the wintertime. Color is not always needed, and outfits can still look chic if they are monochrome, for example. But if you are feeling bored with your wardrobe, I would highly recommend looking to thrift or buy a bright statement scarf, bag, or pair of shoes that will make you look and feel more put together.
