Color blocking is by no means a new phenomenon, but it’s definitely back with brilliant hues this summer. Spotting this trend in store windows and blogs inspired me to come up with a little guide on how to wear the color blocking trend. But before we get to the how’s of things, let me first explain what color blocking is.
Color blocking involves combining two or more different colors in one outfit. It could be a dress with two hues, or a plain-colored top and bottom with complementing, muted or contrasting colors. Shoes, bags, swimwear and nail art can also feature these blocks of color in one design. The important part is that the colors are solid, meaning they are not broken up by patterns or prints.
Color blocking is an awesome trend to play with if you’re hoping to add more color to your ensembles. It’s also a great way to transform those single-color pieces into a fashion-forward statement. The way I see it, wearing the color block trend can be done in three ways – the easy way, the hard way and the really easy way. The easy way is to get a dress that’s already color blocked so you don’t have to worry about what colors go with what.
If you’re feeling adventurous, go straight for the pieces that come in bright, summery hues! You can tone the colors down by wearing neutrals shoes, as seen in the outfit to the right, or you can enhance the colors that are already there with complementing colorful accessories. I gave the royal blue dress to the left a pair of hot pink t-strap heels to bring out the pink block on the shoulders.
Color blocking can be done with neutrals too. If you’re a little afraid to dress in summer brights, look for dresses that come in safe, neutral hues. Such pieces are a classic and can be worn for work and play, depending on how you accessorize.
The “hard” way to color block is to wear separates, i.e. match a solid-colored bottom with a solid-colored top. This can be tough because it requires a bit of thinking and a lot of guts. Color blocking allows you to get away with unconventional color combinations, such as pink and green, as long as you stick to these two colors and wear neutral accessories. But if you don’t feel confident experimenting with crazy combinations, apply the same rule as color blocking with neutrals – get a vivid top or bottom, and pair it with anything black, beige, gray or white.
If you’re really afraid to wear blocks of color on your body, you can still rock this trend by wearing it on your feet or your shoulders! The really easy way is to look for color-blocked shoes and accessories, then pair them with the basics in your wardrobe. You can also try mixing and matching solid-colored bikinis when you hit the beach for an on-trend look that won’t seem too out of place.