(http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/)

(http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/product/the-encyclopedia-of-mens-clothing/?utm_source=aaac&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=728&utm_campaign=all-u-need)

(http://www.ravistailor.com/)

Men’s Practical Color Coordination — TheConcise Version!

MEN’S STYLE TIPS

Men’s Practical Color Coordination — The ConciseVersion!

Choosing clothing colors that go well together is an art and a science. They even have UniversityDegrees in Color Theory. We’re going to try to make it easy for you to know which colors look goodtogether and also look best on you.

We’ve learned color theory in Color Coordination(http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/clothing/style-tips/color-coordination), and we knowhow to match patterns from Coordination(http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Clothes%20Articles/Coordination.htm) so we’re nowready to put it all to practical use.

First, a little color science won’t hurt! Color is a visual effect resulting from the eye’s ability todistinguish the different wavelengths or frequencies of light. The apparent color of an objectdepends on the wavelength of the light that it reflects.

Some Guiding Principles to Harmonizing Colors

Our goal when we put the various elements of our clothes together is to produce harmony.

Harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner senseof order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it’s either boring orchaotic.

At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged. The humanbrain will reject under-stimulating information, such as a monochromatic ensemble with all thesame texture.

At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can’t standto look at it. The human brain rejects what it cannot organize, or understand, like four conflictingpatterns and colors in an ensemble. Movie costumers often have characters they want to depict asweird wearing two incompatible patterns.

In summary, extreme unity leads to under-stimulation, while extreme complexity leads to over-stimulation. Harmony is a dynamic equilibrium.

 

The Color Spectrum or Wheel

All color theory is based on this wheel.

(http://i0.wp.com/www.askandyaboutclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/4colorwheel.gif)

There are three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. These are the only colors that can’t be madeby adding any other colors together. You can’t add two other colors to make red. But, you cancombine two or more of the primary colors to make all the other colors.

To describe a color with reasonable accuracy, there are three basic properties used to identify thequalities of color:

1. Hue – the name of a color

2. Value – the degree of lightness or darkness in a color; can be expressed by tones, tints and shades

3. Intensity – the degree of purity or strength of a color (hue) or how bright or muted the colors are.For example, an intense red is one that is a very strong, pure red color. When a lighter or darker coloris added to a color, the intensity will be less bright. (If you add white to red you get pink, a lessintense color strength)

 A visual presentation of those color terms

(http://i1.wp.com/www.askandyaboutclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ColorWheel2.gif)

 

 

HUE The pure color (for example RED)

TONE Hue + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color)

TINT Hue + White (will lighten the color)

COMPLEMENT TINT Tint + small amount of gray or opposite color (will mute or tone down the color)

SHADE Hue + Black (will darken the color)

 

To use the chart we need to know these definitions:

Core Color is the dominant color in a color scheme. It’s the color of the principal item in yourensemble like your suit or a sweater.

Accent colors are the second and sometimes third colors used in a color scheme. The accent colorsmay be complementary, triad, analogous or neutral.

(http://i2.wp.com/www.askandyaboutclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ColorWheelTriad.jpg)

Triad. The first or primary triad colors in the color wheel (or spectrum) are red, blue and yellow.(Navy suit, pale yellow shirt, burgundy tie) These are called pure colors because mixing them witheach other and/or with white or black can make all other co colors.

The second (or secondary) triad colors in the color wheel are orange, green and purple. Made bymixing two primary colors together. Mixing red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue makegreen, and combining red and blue produce purple.

(http://i0.wp.com/www.askandyaboutclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ColorWheelComplementary.gif)

Complementary colors

Are those directly opposite one other in the color wheel. When placed next to each other,complementary colors intensify each other and make the colors seem brighter. Green and red areopposites and that’s why hunter green pants look great with a burgundy sweater. Blue is opposite of

orange so gold, rust, and brown complement shades of blue.(http://i1.wp.com/www.askandyaboutclothes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ColorWheelAnalogous.gif)

Analogous colors

Also known as adjacent colors, harmonious colors, and related colors. Colors, which lie next to eachother on the color wheel (contiguous colors). They harmonize since they each contain some of thesame color. An example would be blue pants, a blue-green shirt and a purple sweater.

Warm and Cool

Families of analogous colors include warm colors (red, orange, yellow) and cool colors (green, blue,violet). Designers often build color schemes around two or three related colors.

Select two warm colors with one cool or two cool with one warm to create dynamic harmony.Examples: navy suit, light blue shirt and red tie, or a yellow shirt, rust jacket and blue jeans.

Neutral: shades of white, black, gray or tan.

Neutrals work well with all colors or may be worn together. Khaki pants, white shirt and a graysweater worn together create an ensemble made up of all neutral colors. Together, all neutrals maynot be a dynamic look, but it is sophisticated.

Black, White, Gray, Tan, and Brown are not separate colors on the color wheel, but are made up ofdifferent percentages of red, yellow and blue. To make neutral colors mix either all three primarycolors, or mix a primary and secondary(http://painting.about.com/library/glossary/bldefsecondarycolour.htm) color (secondary colors aremade from mixing two primaries).

For example:

How to make a brown? Mix a color with its complementary(http://painting.about.com/library/glossary/bldefcomplementarycolour.htm) color. Add orange toblue, purple to yellow, or green to red. Each of these combinations makes a different brown.

How to make a grey? Mix some orange (or yellow and red) with a blue then add some white. You canalso mix blue with an earth color, such as raw umber or burnt sienna.

Putting the Core color and Accent color chart to specific practice:

CORE COLOR ACCENT COLORS

Complementary Triad Analogous Neutral

WHITE (neutral) All colors (Same for all colors)White, black, gray,tan

BLACK (neutral) All colors

GRAY (neutral) Darker or lighter gray, red, blue, yellow andgreen

TAN (neutral) Blue, purple, burgundy, cranberry, turquoise,brown, orange, green,

BROWN Blue, green, orange, yellow,

NAVY Orange, gold,rust

Yellow,red,brown,tan

Blue, green,purple

BURGUNDY/RED Green Blue,yellow

Purple, orange

YELLOW Purple Red,blue

Orange, green

PURPLE Yellow Orange,green

Blue, red

RUST/ORANGE Blue Green,purple

Yellow, red,brown

GREEN/OLIVE Red Purple,orange

Blue, yellow

Caveat: You must pay attention to tone (adding gray), tint (adding white) and shade (adding black)of a hue (pure color). Green and red are complementary colors, but if you match pure green and redyou’ll look very Christmassy! Which is fine for Christmas! But burgundy and hunter green are quitestunning together.

You can also opt out of mixing and matching color and go:

Monochromatic: all one color, but different shades, tones or tints. All blue attire could consist of aNavy suit, light blue shirt, dark blue tie, blue pocket square, etc. Add some contrast to thiscombination by using texture and pattern. Some of your clothing items should be smooth; othersrough in texture. Some items could be patterned; others solid.

Some examples of how to put this to use to coordinateyour wardrobes

These are Colors that traditionally go well together, but remember this is only a guide.

JacketColor

Shirt(and/orPocketSquare*)

Tie(and/orPocketSquare*)

TrousersforSportsJackets

Belt/Shoes

Navy white, blue,yellow, pink

blue, gold,yellow,burgundy, red,purple

gray, tan black, brown orcordovan

Gray white, gray,yellow, pink,lavender, blue

black, white,gray, green, blue-green, burgundy,navy, anyprimary or pastelcolors

gray, black, navy black, brown orcordovan

Brown white, ecru, blue,yellow

tan, black,brown, rust,orange, red,gold, yellow,green, burgundy

tan, gray,adifferent shadeof brown.

brown orcordovan

Tan blue, ecru, white tan, brown, rust,orange, red,navy,

black, navy, gray,brown, darkertan

brown, black orcordovan

Olive white, ecru, gray,pale yellow, pale

burgundy, rust,green, tan,

gray, tan, navy,brown

brown orcordovan

blue yellow

Black white, light gray,yellow, blue

black, white,grey, blue, olive,burgundy, anyprimaryor pastelcolors

gray, tan black

A note on Pocket Square coordination

Compliment, don’t match, your shirt and/or tie with your pocket square. If you do have a yen tomatch go for the shirt, never the tie. For a very conservative look try plain white, even if it is a littlestuffy. There was a brief period such as the early 1940’s when men did match tie and pocket square,but thank goodness we’ve moved on.

There is some school that believes that the tie or jacket and pocket square should contrast in fabric.If you’re wearing a silk tie opt for a linen square, or a tweed jacket is best worn with a heavier morecasual square of wool or cashmere. White linen would appear too formal. This theory has somemerit, but silk still looks great with any fabric.

*Tip for matching trousers to sportcoats: The bone buttons of a sport jacket have a range ofcolors. You can choose trousers that match any of the colors of the buttons and they will goperfectly.

Caution: You must pay attention to tone (adding gray), tint (adding white) and shade (adding black)of a hue (pure color). Green and red are complementary colors, but if you match pure green and redyou’ll look very holiday like, which is fine for December. But burgundy and hunter green are quitestunning together.

Some additional considerations

Seasonal Colors: Some colors are more appropriate at certain times of year than others. Like thepastels of yellow, are usually associated with summer, while autumn colors are rust, brown, green,and burgundy. Wearing rust in the summer, or light yellow in the fall looks out of place.

Think Contrast: Try one light element with two dark, or one dark with two lights, such as a charcoalsuit, white shirt and red tie, or tan suit with yellow shirt and green tie. Or khaki pants and a dark blueshirt.

Color Value: Dark colors recede thus making you look thinner, and light colors project, which tendsto bulk you up. Dark colors are more formal than light colors.

Monochromatic: all one color, but different shades, tones or tints. All blue attire could consist of anavy suit, light blue shirt, dark blue tie, blue pocket square, etc. Add some contrast to thiscombination by using texture and pattern. Some of your clothing items should be smooth; othersrough in texture. Some items could be patterned; others solid.

Neutral: We talked about neutral colors, but you can dress in shades of white, black, gray or beige.Khaki pants, a white shirt, and a gray dress shirt are all neutrals. It may not be a dynamic look, but itis sophisticated.

Seasonal Colors: Some colors are more appropriate at certain times of year than others. Like thepastels of yellow, are usually associated with summer, while autumn colors are rust, brown, green,and burgundy. Wearing rust in the summer, or light yellow in the fall looks out of place.

Color Value: Dark colors recede thus making you look thinner, and light colors project, which tendsto bulk you up. Dark colors are more formal than light.

What colors look best on you?

Here’s a simplified way of determining colors.

Remember, however, there are certain colors that are acceptable for business and many that arenot. An ideal ensemble for a job interview would be a navy suit, white shirt and a burgundy necktie.

If you, from the information below looks great in fuchsia, please don’t wear a fuchsia suit!

Some additional considerations:

Seasonal Colors: Some colors are more appropriate at certain times of year than others. Likethe pastels of yellow, are usually associated with summer, while autumn colors are rust,brown, green, and burgundy. Wearing rust in the summer, or light yellow in the fall looks out ofplace.Think contrast. Try one light element with two dark, or one dark with two lights, such as acharcoal suit, white shirt and red tie, or tan suit with yellow shirt and green tie. Or Khaki pantsand a dark blue shirt.Color Value: Dark colors recede thus making you look thinner, and light colors project, whichtends to bulk you up. Dark colors are more formal than light.

Your skin tone is the most important factor in determining the colors that look best on you.

With the help of the list below, decide which season most accurately describes you complexion. Onceyou know your season, you will have a personalized guideline of colors and shades that work best foryou!

WINTER Best Colors Worst Colors

“Winter” is a cool tone. Peoplewith winter complexions haveblue or pink/rosyundertones.Skin can be palewhite, yellowish-olive, or dark.Those with the Winter colorprofile have a lot of depth totheir coloring and a lot ofcontrast between their haircolor, eye color and skintone.Winter people havebrown hair, with deeplycolored eyes. Many Asians andAfrican Americans fall into thiscategory.People with white-blond hair may also be winters

Winters should wear colorsthat are sharp, stark and clear.They look best in intense, richcolors, like white, black, navyblue, red, and hot pink.Forlighter colors, wear brightwhite or icy pastels, such ascool blues, pinks and yellows.

Winters should avoid dressingin earth tones and subduedcolors like pastels, and beige,orange and gold.

SUMMER Best Colors Worst Colors

“Summer” is also a cool toneand like wintercomplexions,have blue or pinkundertones.Skin is pale andpink.Summers have a low levelof contrast between their hair,eye color and skintone.Summers often haveblonds or brown hair with paleeyes.If you’re a trying todiscriminate between winterand summer, winters areusually have brown hair andsummers are mostly naturalblonds.

Summers should choose softneutrals and pastels, as well asmuted colors with coolundertones. Powder blue,dusty pink, mauve, rose-brown, lavender, plum, andpale yellow are all good colorchoices.

Summers should avoidintense, vivid hues becausethey will look harsh. Norshould Summers wear earthtones, black or orange.

Best Colors Worst Colors

AUTUMN

Autumn is a warm tone andpeople with this complexionhave golden undertones intheir skin, like a pale peach,golden beige or goldenbrown.Many have brown orred hair, and goldenbrownHowever, golden blondand black hair coloring canalso fall into thisrange.Autumns have a lot ofdepth to their coloring andskin tone. Rich golden, spicy,and earthy colors will accenttheir complexion.

Autumns should selectbothmuted and rich warm colorsthat are seen in autumn leavesand spice colors, such ascamel, beige, olive, orange,gold, warm grays, and darkbrown.

Autumns should avoid clear,bright colors and black andwhite, which will make themlook tired and faded. Theyshould also avoid pastels andblue tones, which look coldagainst Autumns complexionand give a pale appearance.

SPRING Best Colors Worst Colors

Spring is also a warm tone.Spring complexions havegolden undertones and areusually creamy white orpeach.Springs have extremelylight, ivory skin color.People ofthis coloring are usuallynatural golden blonds,auburn, or have strawberryblond red hair.Springs alsohave very clear, light blue andgreen colored eyes. Frecklesand rosy cheeks are alsocharacteristics of this group.Ifyou can’t decide weather aclient is an autumn or a spring,remember springs tend tohave pale eyes while autumns

Springs can wear very pale,soft colors, such as peach,camel, golden yellow, goldenbrown, and aqua. They willalso look good in ivory, brightgreens, true reds, clear bluesand coral.

Springs should avoid blackand white, which are toocontrasting. They should alsostay away from dark, dullcolors.

(http://www.ledbury.com/shop/short-run?utm_source=AskAndy&utm_medium=sponsored&utm_campaign=Summer_Travel)

have dark eyes.

Have a color’s name or want to know what color a product really is with a certain color name? Clickon NAME THAT COLOR (http://www.chir.ag/phernalia/name-that-color/)

This is the stuff artists, master gardeners, and interior decorators study, but now you can use thisknowledge to paint a picture with your clothes!

Now, go get dressed!!

— Andy Gilchrist

Andy’s Color Coordination Chart!Put up this useful chart in your closet, and make Color Coordination easy!Only $22.99 Just one of the many items available from the Ask Andy Shop

(http://www.cafeshops.com/askandystore) !

ADD TO CART (HTTP://WWW.CAFEPRESS.COM/ASKANDYSTORE.355489801)

Hang this in your closet to help coordinate the colors of your clothing. This is a great but easy wayto instantly see what colors go with others. This high-quality poster, printed on heavyweight 7 mil

semi-gloss paper using superior dye inks. Image size 16″ X 20″. Treat yourself or give as a gift.

(http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/product/the-encyclopedia-of-mens-clothing/?utm_source=aaac&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=728&utm_campaign=all-u-need)