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two friends posing on a deserted street showing off their outfit
two friends posing on a deserted street showing off their outfit
Original photo by Imeera Cox
Style

Color Spectrum: How to Color Coordinate Your Outfits

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Montclair chapter.

Quarantine, a time we all became well acquainted with every pair of sweatpants that we own. With no one to impress or any place to show up and show out, we became accustomed to wearing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. 

After weeks of isolation, we’re finally beginning to have some normalcy back into our routine meaning we have to actually put in the effort to pick out an outfit. With some of us being back on campus, a great way to present ourselves to the world after quarantine is through our style! 

Switching from sweatpants and an oversized tee to picking out accent pieces to add to your outfit should never be troublesome, it should be viewed as a fun way to express yourself. A good place to start is color coordinating your outfits! Color-coding your outfit is something that can be aesthetically pleasing and fun.

Here are some tips on how to color coordinate your outfits:

Check the Weather

Before picking any outfit, no matter the season, always check the weather. You never want to be out and get caught in a rainstorm while wearing a dress and open-toed shoes. This way, you’ll know how to dress accordingly and be comfortable all day.

Choose Your Main Color

After checking the weather, it’s time to pick your color. This will be the base color of your outfit. My suggestion would be to pick a color that goes well with your skin tone and that the article of clothing is a top or dress.

Find Your Accent Color(s)

Finding colors that complement your main color may be difficult. You may not know what colors go with what, so don’t be afraid to ask google for a little help! For example, navy blue doesn’t always go with black but try pairing blue with orange. It’s easier to find accent colors if your top or dress has a graphic design on it. Take those colors and make them pop.

Accessories Are KEY

Without accessories, color-coding your outfit would be pointless. Accessories are the factor that pulls everything together. The accessories that you choose should be those complementary colors. Phone cases, bracelets, bags, and even your nails can be something you can accessorize with. If pairing accessories with a graphic design logo, highlight those colors but be careful not to drown them out. Accessories should add to the outfit, not be their own piece.

Shoes to Fit the Mood

No outfit is complete without footwear. Whether your footwear is open-toed or sneakers, they should also complement your outfit. Most times it’s always easy to go with white kicks to make the outfit look crisp and clean, but don’t be afraid to have some color in your footwear.

Have Fun & Be Confident in Yourself!

Never be afraid to step out in an outfit you took the time to craft. If your outfit makes you feel confident and you’re happy with your results, no one can tell you differently so don’t let them.

Your style is an extension of your personality and should bring you joy. You have the freedom to change it however you like, whenever you like. When color-coding, remember to always have fun and stand out.

Imeera Cox

Montclair '22

Imeera Cox is a junior EOF scholar at Montclair State University and majors in Public Relations. Imeera is excited to write about what interest her from lifestyle tips, theatre, and social justice issues. During her free time, Imeera is usually binging her favorite TV shows or movie franchises, listening to many Musical Theatre soundtracks, or online shopping.
Lauren Clemente recent graduate from Montclair State University who studied Communication and Media Arts. She held the role of President and Co-Campus Correspondent, as well as Editor-in-Chief at Her Campus Montclair. She loves all things to do with content creation, fashion + beauty and traveling the world.