Matching colours in your outfits becomes child's play once you know the right tricks. We often hesitate to wear colour for fear of a fashion faux pas — yet with the right shades, even seemingly risky pairings (pink and red, for instance) can look stunning.
What are the basic colours of a woman's wardrobe?
| Colour | Tips | Must-have pieces |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Choose quality fabrics that don't pill, and avoid an all-black look | Black dress, flowing blouse, fitted t-shirt, jeans, ankle boots |
| Beige | Easier to pair than white — choose the shade to suit your skin tone | Belt, cardigan, cable-knit jumper, flowing blouse |
| Grey | Pairs well with its own shades and with bright colours | Basic t-shirts, cardigan, skinny jeans |
| Navy | Softer than black, pairs well with red and camel | Blazer, cable-knit jumper, raw denim jeans, skater skirt |
| Camel | Easier to pair than brown | Chino trousers, flowy tops, shoes and bags |
| White | Less flattering for sizes above a 36 | Fitted shirts, boyfriend tops |
Whatever colour you choose, it's worth investing in quality pieces, cut to flatter your figure.
How can you add pops of colour to your outfit?
- One colour, and keep it simple: choose a Klein blue, a red or an orange, and pair it with a basic tonal colour for your accessories.
- No more than 3 colours per outfit: a handy rule when in doubt, less essential once you're used to mixing colours.
- Dark on the bottom, light or bright on top: this combination elongates the silhouette and brings light to the face.
- Light base, dark finishing touch: for example a white shirt, grey jumper, black jacket — dark colours remain slimming.
- Red as an accessory: a pair of red heels or a red bracelet pairs easily with a black dress, jeans or a grey jumper.
How do you combine several colours together?
A wave of tonal shades remains the safest approach: mixing tones from the same colour family (violet and mauve, or different shades of pink) carries no risk at all. To try bolder contrasts (yellow and apple green, for example), it's best to apply the tonal principle to your accessories to avoid missteps. A few starter combinations to try: blue/red, violet/yellow, pink/yellow, orange/fuchsia, blue/anise green.
