ACCENT COLOURS

WHAT IS AN ACCENT COLOUR?

An accent colour is just one pop of colour that you choose for an outfit

and then you make sure the rest of the outfit is a dark base

or neutral tones. It can look like this:

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

This can look like an all-black or navy-blue outfit with a bright red scarf around your neck, or a black outfit with a white and black striped top to break it up.

Or a double denim outfit with red shoes. It's totally up to you

which colour combination you choose.

But the formula is a full base colour with one pop of colour somewhere in the outfit.

And it should appear effortless, naturally.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON COLOUR COMBINATIONS TO WEAR?

The most common are:

• Black and white.

• Black and red (or any other colour).

• Navy and red.

• Navy and beige (or white).

• Beige and green.

• White and pink.

• Grey and pink

• And so many more.

WHAT CAN I ACCENT APART FROM CLOTHES?

So many of your accessories can be an accent colour if you are tired of the usual black, brown or blue. Go for:

• Bright pink sunglasses.

• A bright purple cross-body bag.

• Bright red shoes/pumps.

• A baby blue scarf on your head or neck.

• A nice red lipstick.

• Pink hair.

• Bold gold jewellery.

• A large colourful tote bag.

• A chunky silver necklace.

• A bold coloured belt.

• Yellow sneakers.

• Or anything else you might like.

HOW MANY ACCENT COLOURS CAN YOU HAVE?

One.

WHY?

Because then it isn't an accent, it is a dominant colour.

And the point of an accent colour is to draw the eye to that one particular

thing you are wearing and the rest needs to fade out in the background.

It is a clever way to show off a part of yourself or your body, such

as your waist, your face, hair or any other part that you like.

Some people say you can have up to three colours in an outfit with an

accent colour but I disagree. It looks too busy and not harmonious.

CAN YOU REPEAT AN ACCENT COLOUR?

Yes, but not more than twice or again it becomes a dominant colour.

HOW CAN YOU REPEAT AN ACCENT COLOUR?

If you are going to repeat an accent colour you need to do it more

subtly, for example, a red belt and red socks.

Or pink hair and pink lipstick.

Don't go for a green top and green pants, this isn't an accent any longer,

it's the whole outfit.

CAN I DO THIS COMBINATION EVERY DAY?

It could get boring, so mix it up and do it maybe once or twice a week

to stand out on special days.

CAN YOU ADD A PATTERN TO YOUR OUTFIT?

Yes, but make sure that the pattern is your accent colour in that outfit.

If you are going to wear Polk dots, stripes, flowers, leopard, or any other

pattern, make sure the rest of your outfit is neutral or one base

colour. Even if that base colour is in two tones it will work.

WHY IS IT BETTER TO HAVE ACCESSORIES AS YOU ACCENT PIECE?

Because they are easier to twitch up when you get bored of them,

they cost less usually, and you can update them with the trends

each year as you update your wardrobe for each season.