Color Blocking for Beginners

As the dreary cold months begin to dissipate, and the flowers begin to bloom, the world is once again re-introduced to the world of color. Coffee shops rush to create the latest in spring-inspired drinks and the home goods section of retail stores morph from winter grey to seasonal pastels. Likewise, many people begin to shift their wardrobes from the soft beiges of fall and winter to a rainbow palette of vibrant colors.

As a Christian who grew up in conservative spaces, the level of color I was exposed to was minimal. It wasn’t until my early 20s that I began to appreciate all the color God has given us. With this self-exploration, I was introduced to the fantastical world of color blocking!

What is Color Blocking?

One of my favorite fashion concepts, color blocking is the process of combining two or more contrasting colors with the purpose of creating a vibrant and electrifying outfit. As one can guess, this approach to fashion is best paired with colors of the bold variety. My favorite part about this method, aside from the beautiful forms of self-expression it offers, is the minimal effort it requires. Color blocking can take a traditional shirt, pants and purse combo and with a little rearranging of colors, transform it into a piece fit for the runway. Let’s look at some examples.

Observe this outfit from OMCNE clothing. This is a very simple example of color blocking using the contrasting duo blue and green. Although the flare pants are elegant by themselves, the eye is immediately drawn to the blouse and matching purse. The contrast of the green against the blue allows for the brighter color (green) to be the centerpiece. Combined with the matching purse, this ensemble that has only 3 pieces is an immediate eye-catcher.

This set is a little different than our first example in that the colors are more analogous. Meaning, the colors in this outfit are closer to each other on the color wheel. As you observe this outfit, contemplate what color stands out to you. For most, the answer would probably be the gorgeous fuchsia. The bright color of the deep pink contrasts with the cool color of the lavender. Furthermore, the abundance of the purple within the outfit gives it the same function as a base color. This allows the sparse placement of fuchsia to standout as an accent color.

This post from Aloz Fabtory is another gorgeous example of exemplary color blocking. Although some may feel this piece has two contrasting colors, I believe there are three: Teal blue, hot pink, and gold. The gold purse together with the gold earrings and blouse buttons blends the fit together. You can see a pattern in this example as well as those that precede it: The color of the accessories (shoes, earrings, and purse) matches the accent color. Accessory matching is the easiest way to color block. Your outfit can go from basic to picturesque in seconds. It creates one of my favorite concepts in fashion: The illusion of effort.

Color Blocking can be one of the most enjoyable methods of self-expression. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. There are no limits to the amount of color you can use and the layering potential is endless. My challenge to you is to add a little color to your closet using some of the techniques you read about.

Have a brunch date coming up? Go for a strawberry combo of green and red with some hints of yellow or gold.

Taking your dog on a walk? Match your shoes and cap with the dog leash.

Choose to be one of the colors that brightens your surroundings. I can say from experience, it can brighten up both your mood and those around you.