Shoppers Magazine 02

SIMBA SHOPPERS MAGAZINE - THE CHRISTMAS ISSUE
The Disaster:
One has to be very cautious because the
mixing of colors can end up in a disaster,
especially bright, vibrant colors suitable
for summer. If you get it wrong, you could
end up looking like a rainbow, and believe
me that isn’t a good look.
What works well:
So what’s the best way of working with
block colors? You need to know what
colors work well together. Red and blue
is obviously the most common color
combination, matching a vibrant red with a
bright blue works well.
Yellow and green is another color
combination, which works well, along with
purple and green. What I like to do is start
off with two colors, then when you feel
more confident with working with block
colors opt for three. Try not to exceed
three or four color, remember the rainbow
I mentioned earlier on.
Neutralizing the look:
Neutralizing the block colors is another
handy tip. A neutralizer is something,
which cancels out the vibrant tone of the
color, such as layering a blue boyfriends
jacket over a vibrant red shirt, or a grey
boyfriends jacket over a purple blouse. This
really draws less attention to the block
coloring and is perfect for maybe the less
confident when it comes to achieving this
look.
Color wheel:
Choose shades that have the same level of
intensity. You can’t team fluro yellow with
blah purple – make sure that each piece
has the same amount of grunt otherwise
the look will be unbalance. More so, a color
that works for your skin tone and personal
style- and make sure all the colors flatter,
not just one or two. It is advisable to wear
colors that are two steps away from each
other on the color wheel as shown below:
DONTS:
DON’T: Jumble your hues. Be strict. The
key to successfully pulling this look off is
restraint.
DON’T: Add prints, stripes, floral or
patterns of any kind when color blocking an
outfit – it’s a fast track to circus clown.
DON’T: Accessorize with bags and shoes
in the same shade as your outfit – this look
belongs to 1985 and it needs to stay there.
Color blocking is about balance and the
confidence to do so. Have look good and
have fun color blocking.
Remember: one can still color block even
with the outfits you wear to work and still
look professional elegant classy and sassy.
Accessorizing:
Accessories can also be used to achieve
more color. Such as wearing Red
boyfriends jacket to a yellow blouse,
attaining the color combination of red and
blue and a pair blue skinny pants. They can
also be used to neutralize the look, maybe
opting for a black chunky chain to draw
less attention to the block coloring and
attention to your choice of neck accessory.
You could also wear some red rose lipstick
to add that extra glitz to the look.
Body Trick:
Know your shape and use color to work it.
If you’re pear shaped opt for darker colors
on your bottom half. If you have a tummy
avoid horizontal blocks across the stomach,
minimize a large bust with a darker shade
on top; maximize a smaller décolletage
with the reverse. Color blocking looks great
on an hourglass shape when you cut the
look in half - right on the waistline.
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