Mixing Complementary Colours for Effortless Style

You’ve probably seen and even used a colour wheel before. Most of us first learned about it in art class as kids, but did you know colour theory can also be a useful tool when styling outfits?

Using the colour wheel in fashion helps create outfits that feel interesting, balanced, and visually harmonious. It’s also a great way to remix pieces you already own and experiment with unexpected colour combinations.

Understanding the Colour Wheel

Primary Colours

Red, yellow, and blue are the primary colours and form the foundation of the colour wheel.

Secondary Colours

Green, orange, and purple are secondary colours, created by mixing two primary colours together. For example, blue and yellow make green.

Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colours are created by mixing primary and secondary colours together, resulting in shades like blue-green or red-orange.

A blue with a subtle green is a perfect colour to wear. This dress is part of a collection of dresses that just arrived. The styles and colours are so classic and elegant.

Using Complementary Colours

Every colour on the wheel has an opposite, known as its complementary colour. These pairings naturally create contrast and visual interest. Some classic complementary combinations include: blue and orange, yellow and purple, or red and green.

A yellow top with a floral skirt looks gorgeous. The yellow with purple and green with red colours are complementary and make a statement.

The key to making complementary colours work beautifully is matching their intensity and tone. For example, a soft muted blue pairs best with a softer muted orange rather than a bright neon shade.

The colour intensity of the pink and green in this dress match perfectly.

The same idea applies to colour temperature, brightness, and saturation. Rich jewel tones work best together, while softer earthy tones create a more subtle and sophisticated look.

A blue linen skirt paired with an orange cotton sweater are two bold colours that look great together.

Start with accessories in complementary colours if you’re hesitant to mix bold colours. A scarf with a little green is a complementary colour that looks stylish with a red linen dress.

A caramel-coloured linen skirt looks so lovely paired with a multicolour blouse. The yellow and purple in the blouse are a perfect example of complementary colours looking great together. The yellow sandal completes this stylish look.

Where Does Pink Fit?

Pink doesn’t appear on the traditional colour wheel because it is technically a tint of red, created by adding white to red.

Pink is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with neutrals such as beige, gold, white, brown, navy, and black.

A monochromatic pink dress and sneaker is so cheerful. The sporty pink Gabor sneaker will pair effortlessly with your skirts, dresses, shorts, or casual pants.

Styling Footwear with Colour

We’ve just received beautiful new footwear in colours that make it easy to embrace all the clothing you’ll want to wear. Enjoy coordinating and styling on-trend looks for the season.

Here is our new Gabor footwear and we love everything! This footwear always offers a supportive footbed that keeps you comfortable whether you’re walking, shopping, or standing throughout the day.

Have fun experimenting with colour this season. Using the colour wheel is a simple way to create stylish, coordinated outfits that feel fresh and personal.

Drop by soon. We’re always happy to share styling ideas and help you put together beautiful colour combinations.

Happy long weekend!