Colour Theory: How to Use a Colour Wheel

Knowing how to correctly use colour theory in fashion is a large part to looking good. By experimenting with different colours you can create bold and interesting outfits that pop! So here is a quick but ultimate guide to using a colour wheel to create combinations when styling your outfits.

The Colour Wheel

Firstly, lets take a look at colour wheel and discuss its key points:

Primary colours

These consist of red, yellow and blue, and no two colours can be mixed to create these shades. All other colours are derived from primary colours.

Secondary colours

A combination of primary colours to create other colours. For example, red and yellow make orange, red and blue make purple etc.

Tertiary colours

These colours are a combination of primary and secondary colours to create shades such as aqua and coral.

One fundamental principle you have to remember when styling colours in clothing is that the colours have to work in harmony. Here is how to match them:

Analogous colours

Analogous colours are different or continuous shades of one colour. These colours are similar to each other so they are mostly adjacent (next to) one another. Examples include red and pink, blue and purple and green and blue.

Source: Pinterest

Complementary colours

Complementary colours are colours on the opposite sides of the colour wheel. These colours contrast with one another and as a result create a vibrant look. Examples include blue and orange, green and purple and blue and green.

Source: Pinterest

Triadic colours

Triadic colours are three colours spaced equally apart, forming a triangle on the colour wheel. Examples include red, blue and yellow, orange, purple and green.

Source: Pinterest

With love,

Steph xx