Bold swaths of color are appearing on tops, tunics, dresses, coats, skirts, pants and even accessories this season. It’s in keeping with fashion’s infatuation with artsy abstract and geometric patterns and shapes. While the trend looks great on towering fashion models, it can overwhelm women who are petite or have figure challenges. Color and figure expert Nancy Taylor Farel has some thoughts on how to best approach this trend:
1. Don’t wear a color-block print with more darkness/lightness difference than naturally occurs between your hair, skin and eyes. Bold blocks of cobalt blue and lime green will be overwhelming if you have pale skin and hair, for example.
2. Consider scale, meaning the size of the color-block pattern’s elements. The larger the pattern’s elements, the less value contrast the pattern must contain in order to not “take over.”Choosing a color-block pattern that has little to no value contrast, such as beige with camel, can be a safer choice.
3. Large-scale or brightly hued color-block prints can add volume to the figure. Think about your figure, as this can be a silhouette plus or a big mistake. Try the outfit on, stand 10 feet away from a mirror, and squint: If all you see is the distracting pattern, wear something else.
4. Color-block prints by their nature typically break up or visually fracture the elongating and lean line solids give to a figure. If you are petite, be cautious of further shortening your look.
5. Want a low-risk way of trying the trend? Wear a pair of color-block shoes, slip on a few bracelets or carry a handbag in the motif.
Nancy Taylor Farel is a Boulder-based color and style expert who does one-on-one consulting and conducts special events. More at .
Do you have a fashion or beauty issue you’d like us to help you with? Contact Suzanne S. Brown: sbrown@denverpost.com or call 303-954-1697.
