Colorblocking for professionals is one of the simplest ways to create high-impact, polished looks without overthinking your outfit. Whether you’re dressing for the boardroom or a networking event, colorblocking for professionals offers a bold yet strategic way to elevate your wardrobe using clean lines and smart color pairings.
Colorblocking is a fashion technique that involves combining two or more solid colors to create a fashion statement and to do it, right, there are a few basic rules to adhere to.
If you know me, then you know I love a good list! There are a few ways color blocking can go off the rails, but if you follow just a few fashionable insights, you can level up your style statements on a regular. I’m going to share a step-by-step list of HOW TO colorblock while simultaneously giving you a few rules to live by.
Note: let me also preface this list by saying I do not participate in colorblocking very often because I like prints too much and I love hueing!
Let’s jump in on the how-tos for colorblocking:
- Stick with two or three colors to start (you must crawl before you walk…)
- Colorblocking goes back to the 60s with mod fashion and bright colors
- Grab a color wheel (or not) because colorblocking is about creating a high-contrast look and the easiest way is to choose colors that are opposites on the color wheel (i.e., yellow and purple)
- Divide your outfit and remember that proportions matter. My recommendation is to do one color waist up, and another color waist down.
- Steer clear of patterns to start
- Consider the fabric and texture (i.e., orange sequins and knit/matte blue pops but maybe a smidge too much for work)
- Place bolder/lighter colors at the top to draw the eye up
- Use a neutral to bring it together
Smoosh this all together and you get this! A beautiful picture-perfect look at colorblocking done beautifully by @theweltheguy – purple and orange (color wheel opposites, brighter on top, no other colors except the neutral
@theweltheguy
note: generally speaking if you wear black and toss in another color, that is not necessarily colorblocking! think opposites, so black and white with a strategically placed black/white handbag would be considered colorblocking.
