Minimalist neutrals may be having a moment, but there’s something undeniably joyful about wearing color. When done right, wearing color from head to toe can brighten your complexion, boost your mood, and make a stylish statement without looking over-the-top.
But how do you do it right? Dressing colorfully (without looking like you’re a five-year-old who raided her mom’s closet) is all about intentionality.
At Mae Threads, we love bringing color into everyday style in a way that feels elevated and effortless. Whether you’re a longtime lover of bright shades or just starting to dip your toes into dressing more colorfully, here are our best tips for looking polished and put-together while embracing bold hues.
1. Start with a Color Palette
We’ve talked on this blog before about seasonal color analysis and the pros and cons of using it as a foundation for your wardrobe. But here’s a pro we didn’t discuss: Starting from a seasonal color palette makes it easy to dress colorfully, because you know that all the colors in the palette are going to look good together!
For example, say you bought a cute pair of muted lavender pants and instead of reaching for a white shirt as you normally would, you’re looking for colorful shirts to pair it with. Other light, muted, and cool (or summer) colors would be a safe bet! Think sage green, ballet pink, or dusty blue as opposed to apple green, primary red, or bright gold.
The same goes for autumn colors (warm and muted), winter colors (cool and bright), and spring colors (warm and bright): find a color you love, identify its characteristics, and pair it with a color that has the same characteristics.
Not sure which color season is yours? Try holding up different colors near your face in natural light. Do certain shades make you look more radiant, while others leave you looking washed out? That’s a clue as to what works best for you!
Mae Threads Picks: A set in a color you like is a great place to start building a colorful, palette-based outfit. For warmer-leaning ladies, we recommend The Raffin Woven Set in Olive (pictured left). For cooler-leaning gals, we recommend The Ashalia Lounge Set in Sage. See how pairing similarly warm or cool colors with the sets looks nice and harmonious?
2. Use the Color Wheel to Create Harmonious Looks
If you’ve ever struggled to pair colors together, the color wheel is your best friend. It’s a simple tool that helps you create visually pleasing combinations based on how colors relate to each other. Once you understand a few basic color harmonies, mixing and matching becomes effortless!
Key Color Harmonies to Try:
- Complementary Colors: These are opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange, purple and yellow, red and green). This pairing creates high contrast and a bold, eye-catching effect. If you want to make a statement, try wearing one as your main piece and the other as an accent color.
- Analogous Colors: These sit next to each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue, teal, and green). Outfits using analogous colors feel cohesive, harmonious, and sophisticated. This is a great way to wear multiple colors without clashing.
- Triadic Colors: These are evenly spaced around the color wheel, forming a triangle (e.g., red, blue, and yellow). This creates a vibrant, playful outfit with lots of contrast, but it works best when one color is dominant and the others are used as accents.
- Monochromatic Colors: Different shades and tints of the same hue (e.g., baby blue, sky blue, and navy). This creates a sleek and sophisticated effect (see our monochrome section below!).
If you’re ever unsure about pairing colors, pull up a color wheel and see how your choices interact. A little color theory can go a long way in making your outfits feel intentional and effortlessly stylish!
Mae Threads Pick: The Lucy Puff Sleeve Top in Coral plus The Bria Pleated Cardigan in Teal create a pretty and complementary pairing! Add The Carlisle Jeans and The Indy Sandals to finish off the look with some neutrals.
3. Embrace Color Blocking
Color blocking is one of the easiest ways to create a bold yet chic look. The idea is to pair solid-colored pieces together in a way that feels intentional rather than random. A few foolproof combos include:
- Pink + Red (a high-fashion favorite)
- Green + Blue (earthy and grounded)
- Yellow + Lavender (unexpected but fresh)
- Orange + Hot Pink (bold and summery)
If you’re nervous about trying this, start with one colorful item and build around it. Accessories can also help—try a bright handbag or colorful heels to tie everything together.
Mae Threads Picks: The Tenney Jogger in Pink Stone paired with a bold red!
4. Add Prints with Purpose
Prints are a great way to introduce multiple colors into your outfit without feeling overwhelming. The trick is to pick patterns with colors that complement each other and your overall wardrobe.
If your print is super bold, balance it out with solid-colored pieces. Or if you’re feeling brave, pair a large-scale print piece with a small-scale print piece, making sure they have at least one color in common to avoid looking too mismatched.
Mae Threads Pick: The Valencia Floral Jumpsuit paired with a bright blue and dainty lavender.
5. Go Monochrome for Instant Sophistication
One of the easiest ways to look chic while wearing color is to go monochrome—dressing head to toe in varying shades of the same color. This creates a sleek, elongated look that feels intentional and effortlessly stylish.
The beauty of monochromatic dressing is that it works with any color. Want to make a statement? Try an all-red or cobalt blue outfit. Prefer something softer? Pastel pinks, sage greens, or buttery yellows give off an elegant, refined feel.
Tips for Nailing the Monochrome Look:
- Mix Different Shades: Combining slightly different tones—like lavender with deep plum or sky blue with navy—adds dimension and keeps the outfit from feeling flat.
- Play with Textures: Mixing fabrics like linen, silk, denim, or knits in the same color creates visual interest and depth.
- Break it Up with Accessories: A neutral belt, shoes, or handbag can subtly anchor the outfit while keeping the focus on the color.
Mae Threads Pick: The Meg Set in Rust and The Reba top paired with some cute peach-colored sneakers.
Ready to add more color to your wardrobe? We’re giving Mae Threads readers an exclusive 15% off on the colorful pieces featured in this blog!
Use code chic15 at checkout to save on your favorites. But hurry—this offer is only available for a limited time!
Dressing in head to toe color doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right combinations, flattering shades, and thoughtful styling, you can create vibrant, polished outfits that feel just as chic as they are fun.