The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, recently made headlines for bringing back the glam at the racing tracks of Royal Ascot 2023.
Spotted in a bold scarlet Alexander McQueen dress with a matching fascinator and pumps, she has been following late Queen Elizabeth II’s key fashion rule in statement colour-coordinated outfits.
The late queen famously wore colour-blocked outfits during her royal duties and made an ever-lasting impression with her bold colour choices that made her stand out in public engagements.
Like the royal style icons, actresses and pop stars too don bright colour-blocked ensembles when they need to make an appearance in a crowded event.
Splash of colours:
Colour blocking allows individuals to have fun and express their style. It encourages experimentation and trying new combinations.
Colour blocking is a fashion trend that has been around for decades, but has recently made a comeback thanks to the influence of icons of British royalty like Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, mentions Amritha Ram, creative director of KH House of Khaddar.
She says, “If you are new to colour blocking, you should start with bold colours like red, yellow, or blue. These bright hues make a statement and help you stand out from the crowd. Once you have decided on a bold colour, you’ll need to pair it with neutrals or bright colours to balance out the look. Neutral colours like black, white, or grey will give your outfit a base and make it more wearable. You can mix and match different colours and patterns to create a unique look that suits your style.”
Head turner looks:
Colour blocking is a trend that has been finding favour with fashion connoisseurs and designers with great enthusiasm since the past 4-5 years. Inspired by bold and beautiful fashion choices of Hollywood icons of yore such as Marilyn Monroe or Meryl Streep, it is also believed that Dutch artist Piet Mondrian’s artwork was behind the origin of colour-blocking. Essentially, choosing colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel and pairing them in interesting ways is what contemporary colour blocking entails, explains Gunjan Jindal Poddar, founder of the label Amala Earth.
For this season, Gunjan recommends, “British royalty inspired pastel coloured garments for bolder and festive combinations will help you sail through any occasion with ease and comfort, without comprising on the style quotient. Think highly saturated spring hues like fuchsia, buttercup yellows, powder blues, or festive colours like deep azures, cobalt blues, emerald greens, or ruby reds. The idea is to create a unique combination and carry it with panache for a luxury cruise hi-tea or a formal award ceremony.”
Contrast combinations:
Bright solid colours can be paired with other complementary tones. In the same fashion, one can opt for a purple midi, and pair it with a yellow or orange coat or even go for a linen blazer, depending on the season. For a more relaxed outfit for work, one can go for a romantic rust dress, perhaps a midi, and layer that with a light blue cotton shirt underneath, according to Ketki Arora, COO of the label Femella.
Sharing some quick styling tips, she says, “My favourite for the season is the cobalt blue dress. It’s a great modern upgrade from the classic navy blue. A purple top can be paired with a lime cotton shirt underneath to truly make it a summer-centric and modern aesthetic. The contrast of the colours is perfectly highlighted with this colour-blocking technique of using complementary tones.
One can choose tones from a similar colour family as well, for example, a vibrant cobalt blue mini dress which can be paired with a green or purple high-waist belt. Also, if going for an impact with the colour-blocking method, change your footwear. A purple dress with a hot orange pair of heels will catch attention, without being too dramatic.”
Colour coded
If you want to make an impression, colour blocking is a great way to do it. When choosing colours for outfit, think about the occasion you’ll be wearing your outfit for, informs Amritha. “If it’s a formal event, choose muted colours. If it’s a casual event, choose brighter colours. Pay attention to the fit of your clothes, whether it’s a kaftan, co-ords, or a pantsuit, the pieces should fit well and flatter you. To make your colorful outfit stand out, you can complement it with eye-catching accessories like a striking belt or necklace. Styling these pieces is all about expressing your style,” she says.
Keep the colour wheel in mind, open it up and pair complementary tones together, or analogous — one cannot go wrong with the science of colours with this cheat code, highlights Kekti. She says, “Another simple trick is to start small, just with your footwear, maybe a belt — it is always best to work with 2 colours in the outfit. Once you feel confident about meshing colours together, experiment and make it your style. A pair of hot pink heels, a lavender or pastel green shirt, and a few high-neck sweaters, perhaps in light blue, emerald green, and cherry red with some basic colour-blocking accessories are a must-have in your wardrobe.”
