Consider: Color
Color makes a huge impact. It is often the first thing we notice about clothes.
Many people fall into the trap of considering each color individually and fail to think about the relationships between color and the overall color scheme. Let's think about both.
Firstly, there are some people who claim that certain skin coloring look best in particular colors. They classify them as "winter", "summer", "spring", and "autumn." However, it is important to realize that this should not limit what colors you wear; if you love green, by all means, wear green, but in a shade that suits your coloring.
Also consider that it's not so important for clothes not near your skin. Technically, I am a "spring" and as such apparently shouldn't wear black; however, there is no problem if I want to wear black pants. Wearing a black scarf close to my face would probably be unflattering though.
I would advise you to discover what coloring you have, at least for some ideas if not anything else.
Now, all about color:
Elements of Color:
Hue: is often used interchangeably with color, meaning the quality that differentiates on color from another. The primary hues are red, blue and yellow. The secondary hues are purple, green, and orange. Tertiary hues (or intermediates) are further combinations of the basic colors and have names like red-purple and yellow-green.
Value: is the lightness or darkness of a color. Hues with added white are called tints and are higher in value. Hues with added black are called shades and are lower in value.
Intensity: is the brightness or dullness of a color. Certain tones are inherently brighter than others. For example, red is higher than purple. Tones are hues with their complementary color or gray added to reduce their intensity.
First, think about hue. What colors do you like? Purple? Black (though not technically a color)? Yellow? Turquoise?
Then consider values. Do you prefer pastels or jewel tones or neither? Or perhaps you like different colors in varying values- light orange, navy blue?
And what about intensity? Do you prefer earth colors and dull colors or extra brilliant, saturated colors? Or again, perhaps a special mix.
This leads to the next dilemma: color combinations and schemes.
Colors should never be seen as isolated identities, but in relation to each other.
Color Schemes:
Monochromatic: uses various values and intensities of one color or one color with black or white. These are sure and easy schemes to use, but there is danger of monotony if the variations are too similar.
Analogous: uses colors closely related on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green. These are real "mood makers" and are often the restful and pleasing combinations.
Complementary: uses colors that are directly opposite on the color wheel, such as blue and orange or yellow and purple. These make striking combinations. Judgment should be used with value and intensity so the colors make each other look stronger.
You don't have to pick one to use always, but perhaps there is one that you feel drawn to more than the others.
This description is also basic and does not mention other color combinations or neutrals either.
Some things to consider when playing with color:
1. Light values advance and seem larger; dark colors recede and reduce.
2. Bright colors advance and seem larger.
3. Light values placed near dark colors make the dark colors seem darker; dark values placed near light colors make the light colors seem lighter through contrast.
4. Intensely colored clothing stands out against a duller background; making the wearer stand out. Neutral clothing against a neutral or more intense background makes the person less noticeable.
5. Large areas of dull colors are needed to balance small areas of bright color.
6. An uninterrupted flow of color lengthens and slims a shape. A horizontal division of color shortens and widens a shape.
