Colour Blocking

The birds are singing, buds are blooming and your spring fashion forecast is just in: it is all about color blocking.

This classic style of matching two or three different colors in distinctly different pieces is far from new, but it can be challenging if you do not know how to work it. This is perhaps the most useful and simplest trend in the fashion handbook, because it will always insure a polished look.

If you are new to color blocking: cheat. Yes, I said it, this is the single time in your life in which cheating is actually a positive thing. Instead of fretting over which colors to combine, simply buy a dress that has the style built into it and avoid the freak-out.

Just be sure that whatever you buy flatters your figure. For example, if you have a pear-shaped figure, try a color block dress that has dark navy on the bottom with a fabulously brilliant shade on top to draw the eye upward. This is truly a universal style that can make anyone look like a movie star.

If you are a bit more daring, try mixing two colorful separates such as a fuchsia top and a fire truck red skirt. Mixing separates will give you more freedom in the look and allow you to re-wear the pieces more often. If you just want to get your feet wet with color blocking separates wear neutral clothes and very bright accessories. My favorite look is a fitted grey dress with a bright yellow statement necklace and rounded green pumps. No one will say no to you in this understated, yet totally glamorous look.

Once you have gotten your feet wet with this technique, jump in to the pool. Try color blocking both clothes and accessories for a show-stopping number. Pair a flowey pastel top with high-waisted electric blue shorts and finish the outfit off with purple earrings and shoes. This fearless look just screams I-am too-fierce-for-this-hallway.
When creating outfits with color blocking, try to avoid mixing too many crazy, outrageous neon colors or you will look like a walking rave instead of the fashionista you are. For example, the classic rule of thumb is to mix one bright color, one bold color and one pastel color. Mixing three shades of the same tone can work as long as the hues are not too similar.

Another crucial element to color blocking is not to over-do. This look is bold enough, so forget patterns or crazy sparkle when choosing pieces for the look. Elegant color is the goal of this trend, but child finger painting project can be the end result if you are not careful.

This spring, become just as gorgeous as the sunny weather and rock a fierce color-blocking look that will be sure to wow.