From The Straits Times    |

Admit it, we’ve all been there. We’ve all stood in front of our bursting closet thinking: “I have nothing to wear.”

It’s a common problem, but before you make a beeline to the nearest shopping mall or online retailer, we think you should take a look into your wardrobe first. Humans are creatures of habit and we often fall back onto colour combinations we’re comfortable with — whether that’s monochromatic or simply black and white.

A quick and easy (not to mention, free) way to spice up your everyday styling with what you already have is to play with and juxtapose different and unexpected colours to create a refreshing new match that doesn’t lack sartorial points — which is why we’ve rounded up five colour combinations we think you ought to adopt into your everyday fashion routine below. Nail these, and you’d be set for awhile.

 

1. Emerald Green + Citrine Yellow

From left to right: House of Holland yellow tailored suit jacket, US$$587.07 (S$807.77); Reformation Sofi georgette jumpsuit, US$276.91 (S$381.01) from Net-a-Porter

Yellow and green are beside each other on the colour wheel (i.e. analogous) so they are guaranteed to look good together. Plus, the emerald green and citrine yellow shades chosen here also belong to the same colour family — jewel tones — which is why they are so pleasing to the eye when you pair them together. The rich, vivid yellow adds a pop of colour while the forest green tempers the bright shade with its cool, dark hue.

Here, we’ve chosen a boxy, belted House of Holland blazer and paired it with a slinky, plunging v-neck Reformation jumpsuit. Finish with a pendant necklace and click on a sassy pair of sandal heels to accentuate the vivacious vibe.

 

2. Pink + Silver

From left to right: Gucci sparkling swimsuit with Gucci print, price available in store; Paco Rabanne Pailette mini skirt, S$2,915 from Farfetch

American actress Julianne Moore wore a sparkly silver and pink Givenchy dress to Cannes Film Festival this year, and boy were we smitten. That gorgeous outfit is the inspiration for this colour combi. Warning: This blend plays on cool tones and would thus suit people with cool skin tones better as it may make a warmer skin tone look pale and sickly.

If silver is too OTT for you, you can use grey too. We’ve chosen a bright pink Gucci swimsuit to be worn with a silver paillette mini skirt from Paco Rabanne to create an ensemble that will definitely turn heads on the dance floor. Throw on a pair of silver pumps to finish.

 

3. Teal + Neon Orange

From left to right: Michael Michael Kors pussy-bow silk-crepe blouse, US$130.21 (S$179.16) from Net-a-Porter; Zambesi orange Bent trousers, S$393 from Farfetch

Orange and bluish-greens are opposite on the colour wheel (i.e. complementary colours), so when they are paired together, the contrast between the two colours is enhanced. In other words, they look darn good when matched. So if you’re in need of a statement outfit, why not try this pairing? Else, you could mute it down by opting for a softer shade of orange and pairing with navy or midnight blue instead of teal.

Here, we’ve pulled together a teal silk blouse from Michael Kors with a pussy-bow and bell sleeves and a more rugged pair of neon orange trousers in 3-quarters length from Zambesi. Finish this chic style with a pair of boots (here’s our guide to all the styles of boots).

 

4. Neon Yellow + Aubergine Purple

From left to right: Off-White neon jacquard-knit top, US$115.31 (S$158.66) from Net-a-Porter; Dries van Noten cotton-blend satin straight-leg pants, US$426.23 (S$586.60) from Net-a-Porter

There’s no stopping the popularity of neon, and if you’re running out of ideas on how to style the striking shade, here’s a way to style the cheery yellow hue — with eggplant purple. Another complementary colour pairing, this match is a statement combo and a refreshing take from the usual blacks and neutrals that we normally pair neon yellow with.

This bright Off-White top we’ve chosen is cut to create an hourglass silhouette and flatters the body. Worn together with this pair of high-waist rich purple Dries van Noten trousers, it’ll be a perfect street outfit for the weekend, especially when you finish with a bum bag and chunky sneakers.

 

5. Maroon + Beige

From left to right: Société Anonyme red oversized T-shirt, S$186 from Farfetch; Vince leather midi skirt, US$595.50 (S$819.37) from Net-a-Porter

Here’s a little something for those who love neutral colours and warm tones. Jazz up your everyday basic shade, like this beige Vince midi skirt. Instead of pairing it with another earthy shade of brown or khaki, inject some life into it by pairing with a maroon top (we’ve chosen a Société Anonyme t-shirt).

This get-up is a way to channel your favourite neutral tones while introducing colour into your ensemble. Throw on a pair of nude pumps and gold jewellery and you’ve got an awesome work look down pat.

 

READ ALSO: HW’S GUIDE TO COLOUR COORDINATING YOUR OUTFIT and OFFICE COLOUR POP: HOW TO WEAR BOLD COLOURS WHILE STILL LOOKING PROFESSIONAL