Color Scheming: Scenes of Arles 2

Contrasting Colors

Women who lean towards styling with contrasting colors are often fearless in their choices. Some of my favorite fashion bloggers have a color beast within...their looks are always bold, color intense and shocking (but pleasantly so). Using colors that contrast with a piece is never about being matchy-matchy--but rather, about playing colors against each other.

Look 1

1. Anthro Four Petal top
2. Scenes of Arles skirt
3. Steve Madden ballet shoes
4. Kate spade handbag
5. FOSSIL rose gold watch
6. Yves Saint Laurent cashmere scarve
7. Sophia Shades

A lot of times, using contrasting colors can make you look like you don't care...they seem effortless, like you just rolled out of bed and threw on the first things you saw, but more often than not, the look is very thought out. I think this look sends a message that the woman wearing it is comfortable, cohesive, and completely unconcerned by what others think.

Look 2

1. J Crew Jackie Cardigan
2. Anthro Scenes of Arles
3. Chinese Laundry leather shoes
4. FOSSIL satchel handbag
5. FOSSIL dial watch
6. J Crew vintage leather belt
7. H&m sunglasses
8. J Crew Buffalo check boy shirt

At first glance, this look is all over the place, but while the colors might seem crazy, notice how the brown accessories ground the overall effect. The caramel toned accessories serve to both enforce and calm the effects the oranges. They appear at every level...feet, waist, shoulder, eyes...to ground the entire ensemble and leave other women wondering, "How does she pull that off?" =)

Look 3

1. J Crew chiffon top
2. J Crew camisole tank top
3. Scenes of Arles skirt
4. Seychelles vintage style pumps
5. Fossil watch
6. H M scarve

This is a great example of how contrasting color choices don't have to be extreme. Black and white is the ultimate contrast to anything, so once you've added those, all you need is another small pop of color. Also, as with coordinating colors, playing patterns against each other is always interesting. Here, there are actually three...the bow in the tank, the skirt, and the striped scarf.

Which look is your favorite, and would you actually wear it...or are these looks merely interesting to look at? =) Much love, mah dears.

Color Scheming: Scenes of Arles 1

I love my Scenes of Arles skirt. With just a hint of stretch, it's more forgiving post-lunch than my other pencil skirts and from a distance, the pattern gives the illusion of ombre, which is also what makes it so fun to style.

For the next three days, I plan to post different looks for this skirt based on the color pairing ideas I blogged about several weeks ago...taking a single item and building outfits first using coordinating colors, then contrasting colors.

Coordinating Colors

Look 1

1. J Crew striped cardigan
2. J Crew long top
3. Anthropologie Scenes of Arles
4. Steve Madden Patent flat -- DSW
5. J by Jasper Conran logo handbag
6. FOSSIL metal watch

7. J Crew silk shawl

If you're unsure how to style a piece, choosing colors that coordinate is the safest way to go. It can sometimes be a little boring, but you can be sure no one will accuse you of not matching, and generally, using corresponding colors will look very pretty and pulled-together, which let's face it, is exactly what most of us want from our clothes.

When you're using like colors, including a second pattern can help keep things interesting (the striped cardigan) and a jolt of solid color (the scarf) always catches the eye.

Look 2

1. Anthropologie Breezy Polkas cardigan

2. Anthropologie Season's Way top
2. Scenes of Arles
3. Pure Collections Leather clutch
4. FOSSIL dial watch
5. Kohl's Mudd Gibbson Mary Jane Heels

If you need a work ensemble that's more subdued, the darker color shades will always do the trick and never, never forget the color gray. It works with absolutely everything. Note the small polka dot pattern in the cardigan and lace bows (texture) of the top...both these details help make this color basic outfit a bit more special.

Look 3

1. Anthropologie Curling Posies cardigan
2. Old Navy tank
3. Anthropologie Scenes of Arles

4. Seychelles vintage pumps
5. Melie Bianco ruffle handbag
6. FOSSIL white dial watch

There are no surprising colors in this ensemble, but it's everything I'd want in an outfit--striking, interesting and pretty. This outfit has texture all over...the floral detailing of the cardigan and the pattern in the shoes and bag all imitate the floral pattern in the skirt. Tone on same tone pieces are always more interesting when you've got texture and pattern. You could put a pale blue J.Crew Jacki cardigan with this and match just as well, but it wouldn't be near as intriguing to look at.

Which look is your favorite? I'll be back tomorrow with ensembles using colors that contrast the skirt. Much love, mah dears.