Color Theory for Fashionistas – Part 2

Part 2 in my series about Color Theory for Fashionistas. 
Color Theory for Fashionistas - Part 2. Alexa Webb

In you haven’t already read my previous post, Color Theory for Fashionistas – Part 1, I suggest you start there.  

Now that you’re all caught up, you know that I am going to talk about more harmonious color schemes, including monochromatic and analogous colors.

Monochromatic Outfits

monochromatic color. Alexa WebbOften people think of monochromatic as black, white, and grey, which is a monochromatic color scheme, but it is just one of many.  

Monochromatic means all the colors in a single hue.  

But don’t get confused by the lingo.  

The easiest way to think about it is to think about mixing paint.  

For example, if you take a dark red paint and add a little bit of white paint, you get a similar, but lighter color red.  

Then add more white paint and get a lighter red.  

And so on and so on.  

All the colors are the same hue of red, just lighter or darker.  

Below are some examples of monochromatic outfits.

Analogous Colors

color wheel. Alexa WebbSometimes people confuse analogous colors with monochromatic but as you’ll learn, they are quite different.  

Analogous colors aren’t the same hue, like monochromatic colors.  

But, they do fall next to each other on the color wheel.  

Groups of colors, usually 3 or 4, that fall next to each other on the color wheel have a harmonious relationship.  

They don’t “pop” like complementary colors (remember these from Part 1), but they look great together.

The outfits below all feature analogous color relationships and come from the blog J’s Everyday Fashion.

Break out a color wheel and dig through your closet for new and unexpected combinations using complementary, monochromatic, or analogous color schemes.

For more styling educational posts like this one, go here

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12 thoughts on “Color Theory for Fashionistas – Part 2

  1. Alexa! I LOVE those analogous colors, especially the pinks and the blues. I am drawn to blues and greens of all shades, and my secondary loves are pinks and purples. Thanks for showing how these can be paired together to create a stylish outfit.

    I am soooo over summer (lol) but I’m excited about autumn.

    As always, thank you.

  2. I’m sad! I can find a “color theory part 3” with split complementary or triad colors.

    I really liked learning about analogous colors!

      1. I’m anxious to see part 3 too! I just found your blog and I love it! ❤️ Thanks for the great posts!

        1. I’m glad I’m not the only one waiting for part 3. Your blog is awesome for someone who has struggled with clothing her whole life. Thank you!

  3. Hi I really like your blogs and I can’t wait for a part three! Great job and keep up the good work!
    But for fashion illustrating, do you have any advice or suggestions on how to shade, or maybe draw the basic human template?
    Again I really enjoy your work!

    1. Hi Brielle,
      Thanks! You can also find a video on my IGTV about color here. If you skip the first few minutes, it gets better. 🙂
      As for a basic human template, I really don’t have advice. Maybe look for vector images online?

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