Colorful Clothes – How to Wear a Bright Outfit

A Bright Summer Outfit

Since I just shared how to wear neutrals, I thought it would only be appropriate to share how to wear bright colors. Wearing a bright color in a single item can be simple, just pair it with your favorite jeans or white blouse but to introduce two or three bright items is when the outfit experimentation truly begins. Regardless of the amount (as long as it’s four or less), injecting bright colors into an outfit can create a stylish and unique summer look.

Here are a couple of things to keep-in-mind when experimenting with bright outfits.

First, consider the colors you want to wear. Do you want to keep it in the same color family or mix different color hues? Yes, you can wear head-to-toe color and not look like you just completed a color run. To do so, select the colors strategically and make sure they match.

An easy solution to wearing bright colorful clothes is to select shades from the same palette. For example, an array of blues: teal, aqua, jade, midnight blue. Colors within the same family will always look fairly cohesive and create a stylish monochrome look. For extra points, vary the fabric as well, wear silk with knits or cotton.

You can also do what I did in this outfit and pair a jewel color with a bright. Wearing jewel tones (purple, blue, green) with a bright (pink, yellow, orange) makes for a fabulous combination. The jeweled fuchsia skirt pops against the bright yellow top. I’m not sure if you can tell from the look but they are seperates. The crop top paired perfectly with the high waist skirt and the thicker materials made the hems seamless.

Use black and neutrals for outfit refinement and assistance. The neutrals create a fun illusion where its accompanying color appears brighter. This focuses the attention on where you want it. Since bold colors highlight and bring attention to you and your figure you should wear it strategically. Enhance your favorite body parts with brights and then pair it with a neutral.

After you have the color down, you have to think about what piece will be the bright ones. Will it be your accessories, shoes, or clothes?

With bright accessories you can really go all out. Coral clutches, candy-colored jewelry, neon belts, jeweled scarves and primary colored heels. Just make sure the accessories match the outfit. Bright accessories really are the easiest way to add a pop of color to an outfit.

I was very excited to experiment with color so I had my brights be the entire outfit itself!

I look for bright color pieces that are slimming and flattered my figure. This is a point that I must stress, when wearing bright colorful clothes make sure the items fit you well. You don’t want ill-fitting bright clothing as it will not make for a stylish bright outfit.

Remember too much of a good thing can go bad quickly. Two, three, or even four colors in single outfit may create something uber stylish but I would advise to stop at four colors. Five colors can quickly become chaotic. Unless you’re not going for an everyday wearable look I would suggest sticking with two or three.

Now I turn it to you! What are your favorite brights? Do you prefer bright accessories or clothing? Let chat in the comments!

Stay Stylish,
-V

Bright outfit photos by @peterlang