subject: How to inject colours into your winter wardrobe [print this page] Designers have got the message- Your personal colour palette shouldn't be some sort of straitjacket. Plain is out, interesting is in, and it's likely to stay in. The best news of all is that drab is dead, and you don't have to spend what feels like years trying to find something in the haze of uninteresting lifeless styles any more. Women's clothing has escaped the design prisons of the past, and it's in no hurry to return.
The colour palette and you
At last, some colours to play with! You can finally go to work on a full spectrum. You actually have a say in your look, without the monotones. You can even work with your hair color. You can buy cardigans, cowls and jumper dresses that don't look like you're on your way to a funeral. Enjoy this palette, because it will create a range of outfits you've never had before.
Working with colour how to avoid looking like a rainbow.
Professional designers start with a single colour base, and build on it. That's a very reliable principle, and you can also develop your ideas more effectively using this method. Say you want a navy blue party dress, as the base, you can literally check out every other colour for match, contrast and highlights. No guesswork, no "surprises" and no awkward choices.
A two piece colour base is a common combination effect, and it's worth looking into your combos with patterns and weaves, because that can get very interesting indeed. You'll find that these elegant combinations allow you to develop colours and work very well with accessories.
Tones and colours
Mixing tone and colours is always fun, and you can do a lot using the same basic principle with a colour base. The brilliant black skirt and the alluring dark green top? The cute little floral mini and the slinky blue top? Put aside a week or so for experiments, because you can create whole ensembles from scratch.
The big advantage of mixing tones and colours is that it greatly expands your matching options. You can also use compound colours like this, and you will find the browns, umbers, greens and other strong colours will respond well to this combination approach.
The spectrum issues- metallic, block or beige, what works?
The human eye can see no less than ten thousand separate colors. Things like metallic colors are also resonant colours, so you need to work with their effects. Block colors are solids, and need to be considered as base colours. A colour like beige and nude are best for undergarments and tops that can be layered.
Some informed hunting through the online fashion sites can tell you what you need. Have a look at some strong designs from Ladakh, Cooper St, Shilla clothing, Living Doll, Sass and Fate, and you'll see how they're working with their broad range of spectrums.
One thing for sure- you'll find your winter fashions are never dull.
