The Application of Color in Fashion Design

Color is the most obvious fashion factor and the impact should never be under estimated. As Catherine Houck puts it, “You can have the thinnest figure and closets of clothes, but if you opt for unappetizing color combinations, it will all be futile.” Everyone reacts to the colors someone is wearing, whether we realize it or not. If someone wears all white, they appear fresh, pure, summery and cool. If someone wears all red, they are considered racy and dynamic. If someone chooses all black, they are considered demure, quietly sexy, and slightly mysterious. The more subtle the color combinations are, the less aware people will be of the influence that the colors are having.

Correcting Figure Flaws with Color

Consider the following scenarios and decide the colors that would be good choices for wintertime and summertime outfits in terms of neutrals and accents. You can first browse the discussion of color or immediately check the suggested answers found at the end.

• A woman is 5 feet 2 inches (155 cm) tall, and weighs 120 lb. (54 kg.). Her biggest part is the hip area, so she wants to draw the eye up and away from her hips. Her skin tone is blue-based.
• A woman is 5 feet 6 inches (165 cm) tall, with honey blonde hair and blue eyes. Her weight is 130 lb. (59 kg.). Her body frame is an ‘H’, meaning she has a high hip area with no definite waist area.
• A woman is 5 feet 6 inches (165 cm) tall, and weighs 120 lb. (54 kg.). She has red hair and green eyes, has a ruddy complexion, and has a lanky ‘H’ shaped body frame.

The Influence of Color

Not only can a skillful use of colors help to create a desired image, it can also save money. One can design an outfit and blend the colors so expertly that the item looks much richer. For instance: one can take a pair of white cotton pleated pants, a softly a slightly over-sized white drop sleeve jacket, a string of pearls, classy beige shoes (medium heel), and a beige belt with a gold buckle. Next, one can turn up the collars on the jacket, and roll the silk cream sleeves of the blouse over the jacket sleeves and --- Voila! A Vision in White. The fresh, clean spirit of summer was created by the influence of color in a slightly more formal image.