I'm a Fashion Editor—These Are My Rules When It Comes to Wearing Color

Dopamine dressing isn't going anywhere, because goodness knows we all need a pick-me-up right now. And where better to start than with your own wardrobe? When it comes to fall/winter trends, it's often the time when we amp up the sparkles and brighten our outfits with bold colors.

This autumn is no different, the saying "more is more" is here to stay. But how does one actually pull off head-to-toe color? Look no further! With over 18 years of experience as a fashion editor and stylist, I know a thing or two about putting outfits together. 

Erica Davies wearing chocolate brown coat and brown trousers sitting outside a cafe

Photo:

@erica_davies

When trying out a new color, I often say to go for an accessory first. A jolt of color from a bright scarf, a pair of earrings, or a flash of a bold pair of ankle boots can ease you into a more vibrant way of dressing. Second, using neutral tones in your outfit will always help to bring the look together if 100% saturation doesn't feel right for you. Last, if you want to try more than one shade and are a fan of color clashing, try combining shades from opposite sides of the color wheel. Think forest green and purple, blue and orange, and so on.

Overall, as with all things fashion, I urge you to have fun with it—there are some pointers but no real rules if it brings joy. Wear what makes you feel good, and if that means wearing a rainbow, just do it. Keep scrolling to see how I'd recommend you wear color head to toe.

Nana wearing green sweater dress and green knee high boots

Photo:

@styledbynana

This season, I'll be wearing citrus shades like tangerine and zesty green but also lots of head-to-toe black and winter white. Think coats, matchy-matchy tailoring, and oversized sweater dresses in a bold color for a simple way to embrace color. If you're more of a wallflower when it comes to color and appreciate all the shades of beige, then I have you covered too.

I'm not the only one who is having a love affair with color right now. Influencers such as @ericadavies and @styledbynana are big fans of tonal outfits. Davies recently went all-out chic in her chocolate-brown look, while Nana keeps it bright but simple in a green sweater dress and matching knee-high boots.

I've found six fail-safe color combinations you will want to try. Scroll on for inspo—you can thank me later. 

1. PINK + RED

Grace Ghanem wearing red trousers and pink sweater on the street

Photo:

@greceghanem

We adore the way that Grece Ghanem experiments with color. Take a leaf out of her book, and try shades that sit next to each other on the color wheel, like pink and red. It's a fail-safe way to try injecting color into your wardrobe. Black accessories anchor the whole look and pull it together. 

2. ZESTY GREEN

Style Notes: Camille Charrière never gets it wrong. We love how she has toughened up this zesty green with pops of black and, of course, the dreamy vintage Dior bag. Not into miniskirts? There is a ton of lime-green slip skirts on the high street too. 

3. HEAD-TO-TOE RED

Style Notes: So simple but oh so cool. Great for modest dressers, this oversized knit screams comfy and chic. Not into boxy silhouettes? A belt will cinch a sweater dress in and add definition. 

Julies Fi wears green suit with white gucci loafers

Photo:

@juliesfi

Style Notes: Wearing color head to toe doesn't have to be loud. We love this pared-back approach in bottle green. It feels very autumnal and elegant. Match your bag to your tailoring for a new spin.

5. CAMEL + BLUSH

Monikh wears blush coat and satin metallic skirt

Photo:

@monikh

Style Notes: We love what Monikh Dale has done here with her soft combination of colors. For a subtler look, this should be on your radar—the key here is how she has stuck to colors that are similar tones: both pastels in this case. Finish with lashings of gold jewelry, and you're good to go.

6. HOT PINK AND MORE HOT PINK!

Style Notes: Note how oversized the blazer is on Renia of @venswifestyle. Achieve a similar look by sizing up in the blazer. The main tip to take away from this tailoring look is to buy a complete suit from the same place. It will always look more high-end than mixing and matching two different fabrics. Plus, this corduroy fabric not only screams autumn but also keeps you warm too. It's a win-win.