COLOR
IN FASHION
LEARNING TARGETS
• Describe the impact of color on clothing
choices.
• Identify primary, secondary, and
intermediate colors on the color wheel.
• Describe color schemes that work well
together.
• Choose colors that are flattering on you.
DO YOU KNOW?
• The human eye sees as many as 6-7
million colors!
• No wonder why color has such an
impact!
WHAT IS COLOR?
 Light is the source of all color
 All objects contain pigments, or substances
that absorb some light rays and reflect others
 When light strikes an object, you see only the
colors that reflect, or bounce back, to your
eyes
 Color is seen by the eye but interpreted by the
brain
WHAT DOES COLOR HAVE
TO DO WITH FASHION?
 Color is often the first thing you notice
about the clothing in a store display
 Color can help you choose clothing that
helps you look your best
 Color can help draw attention to or away
from certain areas of your body
 Color can create illusions in height and size
LANGUAGE OF COLOR
 Hue: the name given to a specific color.
 Primary Colors: red, yellow, and blue.
 Secondary Colors: combining equal amounts of
two primary colors (blue + yellow = green).
 Intermediate Color: A primary color combined
with a secondary color (blue-green).
 Warm Colors: colors associated with the sun
(red, orange, & yellow).
 Cool Colors: colors that capture the essence of
the ocean (blues, violets, & greens).
THE IMPACT OF COLOR
 Color as Symbols
 Red, Yellow, and Green at a stoplight
 Holidays
 Ceremonies & Celebrations
 Groups & Countries
 In Language (green with envy)
 Colors and Temperature
 Associations with nature (green as grass)
 Warm & Cool Colors
 Why wear white in hot weather?
THE IMPACT OF COLOR
 Colors and Movement
 Warm colors advance or move toward you
 Warm colors are used to attract attention
 Colors and Mood
 Cool colors have a subduing effect
 Cool colors give a sense of calm and relaxation
 Warm colors express excitement and encourage you
to be cheerful
THE COLOR WHEEL
A system that places
colors around a circle.
Positions on the
wheel show how the
colors relate to each
other.
COLOR VARIATIONS
 Most colors you see appear lighter, darker, or
softer than the hues on the color wheel.
 Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.
 Tint: a color that is lightened by adding white.
 Shade: a color darkened by the addition of black.
 Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a
color.
 High-intensity: emerald green & ruby red
 Low-intensity: khaki green & dusty rose
NEUTRAL COLORS
 Not on the color wheel
 Not true colors because they do not contain
pigment
 Used to change the value and intensity of a
color
 Black, white, gray, and beiges
COLOR SCHEMES
 A plan for using a color or a combination of
colors to put together an outfit.
Monochromatic
Analogous
Complementary
Split Complementary
Triadic
Accented Neutral
MONOCHROMATIC
• Mono means “one” Chromatic
refers to color.
• Uses the values and
intensities of one color.
• Ex: baby blue shirt, blue
jeans, and navy blue socks.
ANALOGOUS
• Uses two or more colors that
are next to each other on the
color wheel.
• Ex: Yellow, Yellow-Orange,
and Orange.
• Colors blend better when they
are close in value and
intensity.
COMPLEMENTARY
• Combines colors that are direct opposites on
the color wheel.
• Ex: Red & green, blue & orange, yellow & violet.
• When complements of equal intensity are used
together, a bold color scheme results.
• A softer effect can be obtained by using
different values and intensities (ex: pink and
forest green).
• Use one of the complementary colors as an
accent (ex: yellow blouse with violet trim).
SPLITCOMPLEMENTARY
• One color used with the two colors on each
side of its direct complement.
• More common and easier to wear than a
complementary color scheme.
• Often found in a plaid or print fabric.
• Ex: blue-and-green plaid pant accented with a
stripe of red-orange.
TRIADIC
• Three colors equally spaced on the color wheel.
• Ex: Red, yellow, & blue.
• Bold if high-intensity colors are used.
• Would be easier to wear with softer, muted
colors.
ACCENTED NEUTRAL
• A small amount of one color matched with
white, black, grays, or browns.
• Since neutrals have no hue, they combine well
with any color.
• Accent colors draw the eye and brighten up
the neutral color.
• Often used to create a focal point, or point of
interest.
• Ex: A gray suit accented with a yellow tie.