Been feeling like your wardrobe is a bit more “blah” than “blazed” these days? Do you stick to a drab palette of black, gray, blue, and the occasional khaki-colored neutral? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, consider injecting some life into your wardrobe with a few brightly colored pieces.
Although wearing color can be a tricky thing for men, a few splashes
here and there will update all the clothes you already own and ensure
that you stand stylishly apart from the crowd. So be sure to follow the
six rules below and solidify your status as the peacock of the walk for
seasons to come.
1- Use color to accessorize
Color need not
be restricted to core wardrobe items. Colored accessories are a perfect
way to show your playful side. A brightly colored belt is a fast,
inexpensive and easy way to enhance all your existing outfits. Bright
blue, green and red belts are all great additions for those individuals
who are a little wary of wearing color. Pair these bright beauties with
jeans and a white-collared shirt for a casual-yet-hip look during the
day. To spice up your evening wear, add the belt to a slim-cut black
suit or team it with jeans and a dark blazer for a funky clubbing look.
2- Wear one bold piece at a time
One
bold piece of color can be incredibly eye-catching, but more than one
will simply leave you looking like a clown. A forest green trench coat
worn with brazen attitude looks impeccably stylish when paired with
denim or khaki trousers. The important thing to remember when wearing
dominant pieces of color is that the rest of your outfit should be
confined to neutrals and basic cuts -- so, no frilly tuxedo shirts.
3- Complement your color
The
darker your skin tone, the brighter the color you can get away with.
Those with very pale skin should choose lighter to more medium shades,
while those with very dark skin should go for brighter colors to avoid
seeming washed out.
4- Spend more for color
Did your father ever sit you down and
tell you never to wear fuchsia? Well he’s wrong, because if it happens
to be in the form of an extravagantly expensive
cashmere sweater,
you most certainly can. Essentially, the more outrageous the color, the
better the quality of the fabric -- and the more expensive -- your
garment should be. Note: a $10 hot-pink shirt looks like a $2 hot-pink
piece of crap.
5- Layer your colors
If you’re afraid of
making too bold a statement with a colored shirt or sweater, don’t be
afraid of testing the “colored water” by layering your look a bit. In
the colder months, wear a dark blazer over a colored shirt or sweater
for a sporty, European look. For spring and summer, be casually cool by
layering a white polo shirt over a brightly colored, long-sleeve cotton crewneck.
6- Keep it all in the family
Don’t
be afraid to wear two colored pieces at once; just remember to keep
them in the same color family. For example, wearing a printed shirt
with a solid-colored tie that picks up your shirt’s color goes a long
way in showing girls you can
pick an outfit.
