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The Editor’s Guide To Working Colour Without Looking Like A Crayola Box

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Fashion

The Editor’s Guide To Working Colour Without Looking Like A Crayola Box

by Aaron Kok  /   September 12, 2019

Colour and print are good to have in your work closet, but do you know the right ways of wearing them to the office? So often, women make the mistake of wearing mismatched colour schemes or mix prints that clash with each other, and they end up looking like a mess. And on the flip side, so many women avoid colour or print altogether because they don’t know how best to make it work, or are too shy to wear them.

Similarly, Soo Lin wrote in to us asking for advice on how she can incorporate colour into her work outfits, without looking out of place. Her question was picked up by The Weekly‘s resident fashion stylist, Aaron Kok. See what he has to say on wearing colour and pattern for work.


The Editor's Guide To Working Colour Without Looking Like A Crayola Box

Q: I’ve worn safe colours like black and grey all my work life, but I’m getting bored of these colours. How can I go about mixing in brighter colours and prints? – Soo Lin, 40

A: Firstly, give yourself a pat on the back for deciding to take on brighter colours for your workwear! If you’re feeling shaky at first, try working colour in small doses.

Start with a bright red bag or a pair of fuchsia heels. Once you get confident with these little pops of bright hues, you can gradually work in more colourful pieces. Secondly, while black and grey may err on the safe side, in this situation, they can be your best friends. Whether it’s a black blazer or a grey skirt, use these neutral tones to anchor your look and balance out the vibrancy of your coloured pieces. I recommend investing some time in front of the mirror, experimenting with your clothes and finding the colour combinations that work best for you.

Prints are also great styling tools, because the texture does help balance all the colours. Opt for something simple, like white stripes or a muted checked pattern.

Images: Showbit. This post first appeared on 20 July 2018.

READ MORE:
10 Bangles From $13 That Will Add Plenty Of Sparkle To All Your OOTDs
Work-Friendly Patterns That Will Get You Noticed For Your Next Promotion
How To Dress For Work Without Looking Like A Typical OL

WATCH THIS VIDEO TOO:

Set The Tone with Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipsticks


 

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/style/the-editors-guide-to-working-colour-without-looking-like-a-crayola-box/
The Editor's Guide To Working Colour Without Looking Like A Crayola Box
Tip #1: Layer different patterns and shades for an easy tonal look.
image

Variate your colours so it’s not monotonous, and adding texture does help separate each piece without creating too much chaos.

Tip #2: Layer different patterns and shades for an easy tonal look.
image

Find a colour that ties both patterns together. Case-in-point: the whites used in the florals that appear in both the top and pants of this look.

Tip #3: Neutral tones help add more visual impact.
image

See how the red pops even more when it’s juxtaposed next to a camel-coloured suit? That’s the power of neutral tones.

Tip #4: Mix cool and warm tones, such as blue with red.
image

Other colour combos you can try are orange and pastel mint, or purple and light blue.

Tip #5: Work colour into your look through your accessories.
image

If too much colour scares you, break yourself in by using pops of colour via your accessories instead. A colourful shoe or bag can help introduce some vibrancy into your look.

image
1. Jacket, $64, from Pomelo
image

Mint is the new colour du jour in most areas of lifestyle design, fashion included. Work it with a structured suit.

2. Top, $39.90, from Topshop
image

Graphic paisley patterns give this top a retro feel, so modernise it by matching with a tailored pencil skirt.

3. Shoes, $49.90, from Charles & Keith
image

Embrace your vampish side with this wine-coloured sandals.

4. Skirt, $75, from Warehouse
image

Sashay into any room confidently in a bright red skirt, and match it with a black or white shirt to really hero the piece.

5. Top, $49.95, from H&M
image

Wear it with denim shorts for a cute weekend look, or pair it with a white blazer to keep it professional.

6. Dress, $119, from Zara
image

The black base colour on this dress makes all the red florals pop even more, so you can slip it on without having to think too much about adding colour to your look.

  • TAGS:
  • colour
  • Fashion
  • office clothes
  • Shopping
  • style
  • style advice
  • workwear
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