By Jessica Abercrombie
Spring and summer call for an explosion of vibrant colors, and what better way to wear them than to block them? Play with lively colors by mixing and matching different brights to create a beautifully color-blocked ensemble.
There are several ways to successfully colorblock, which range in effort and style creativity. If colorbocking is daunting to a nascent fashionista, select pieces that are already designed in a color-blocked scheme, including graphic garments and accessories that have the sectioned hues embedded in the fabric, like a BCBGMAXAZRIA dress, or a J. Crew sweater (below).
For those who are slightly more comfortable with the idea of colorblocking, go for pairing separates, preferably a bright with a nude for a more finished look. Another option is to accessorize a turquoise, plum purple or any other bright with a pastel accessory of the same color, but in a lighter shade. After mastering the balance of bold with reserved, a more experienced color-blocker may want to advance into colorblocking bold with bold, saving the neutrals for accessories, shoes or handbags.
Regardless of your colorblocking proficiency, remember that opposites on the color wheel attract and when in doubt, pad your bold look with solid black, white or grey. Enjoy coming up with new ways to wear the same pieces – nothing beats saving money and looking fabulous!
Below are a few colorblocking-ready pieces:
