Color-blocking 101 - Part 1

I think color blocking is one of the coolest n stress-free ways of looking savvy. Some tips on color blocking

1.       If you are a newbie to color blocking go with basic colors/ the ones you’re comfortable with. For example; black n white, grey n black, red n blue. Pick any 2 colors and pair them. Just remember the colors need to be deeper and richer - meaning faded denims or ripped denims won’t help in creating a perfect color block outfit.

I would suggest adding a colored denim or skirt to your closet if you want to try color-blocking.  If you are not yet up to wearing colored bottoms, the summer is a perfect time to try the colored shorts trend – colored shorts just add the right amount of well color, perfect for summer n hot temperatures, sightseeing tours, vacations – the list of pros goes on and on ;))

2.       Another basic rule so that your colors stand out is adding a touch of neutrality/ neutral-ness (u get the hint, right?).

Wear neutral colors for accessories and shoes – tan or dark brown, black, and beige are all neutral colors. I bet you will have at least one pair of shoes in these colors, so try them on with the color blocked outfit.

I would add a colored bag just to jazz up the color blocked outfit – but again go neutral if you are not comfortable there.

3.       If you are in a mood of experimenting, u can do a triad of colors – add a broad belt to your outfit – shorts n tee, skirt n tee/shirt. You could also add a thin/skinny belt if you are doing the colored denims and tee/blouse look. The belt can be a neutral color and you can match the shoes with your belt. Or it can be a funky color just to add that extra level of color blocking and you can go neutral on shoes.

4.       Another fun outfit idea is getting a color blocked accessory. I don’t know how that happened, but color blocking was sorta ‘cool’ last summer too. And I remember grabbing this color blocked satchel-cum-crossbody bag from Aldo last summer (in the pics below).

It was the perfect accessory for my rather straight and businessy outfits to office.  Plus it was a cross body so for my adventures/outings after office (with husband of course ;)), I could just sling it across and I was good to go.

5.       If you are in a mood to experiment, you can try the color blocked shoes/stilettoes/sandals. They are ‘abso-freaking-lutely’ fabulous and I wish so desperately to own one.

The color blocked shoes can add the right amount of oomph to your LBD (Little Black Dress) on a balmy night out or LWD (Little White Dress) on a summer afternoon.

Color –blocked cuffs/bracelets earrings and even color blocked necklaces are just bursting with hues and great pieces to start off with trying the color-blocking trend

There are some more tips I have in my bag of wisdom but I am going to hold on to them till the another post (Color blocking 101 Part-2). For now, I will let you see/judge /review a color-blocking outfit that I came up with for office wear.

I want to do a special mention for my leopard print shoes *Drumroll please* It’s the first time they are showing up on my blog. They are one of the best pumps I own - perfect fit, perfect heel. They are so very comfy and versatile - I wear them to office, to dancing with my friends, on weekends, almost everywhere ;))

This is my entry to the ‘Color-blocking’ challenge on Everybody Everywear. 

Outfit details:
Skirt, Earrings and Belt - NY and Co.
Tee - Ann Taylor
Chunky necklace - Sears
Leopard print pumps - Kelly and Katie, DSW
Color-blocked bag - Aldo
Watch - Michael Kors Women's Chronograph (Gift from Parents)

TV shopping

Another challenge/Remix from IN-FB and exciting as ever…Black and White! There are infinite possibilities with this combo ..black pants, white pants, dresses, scarves, bags..OMG the list goes on and on! It was pure madness when I sat down to think about a look for this challenge. Well, but I had sorta decided the guidelines for this challenge for myself - pair items that were never worn before or even items that were never paired before. So there it was now, much simpler and focused.

With the criteria narrowed down, I decided to go with my new purchase black tiered chiffon skirt that I shopped on TV. Yes you got it right, shopped on TV!! Well ok, I bought it online but I was TV shopping for sure on a network called ‘HSN’. I discovered HSN I think sometime last year while flipping through channels, and since then I have been switching to HSN on and off. But since the down time (got off the work grind) I could watch some of their interesting shows and this is where I spotted this skirt. I was looking for one and decided to take the plunge – looked it up online and ordered it to be shipped to our new apartment in Virginia (well I was in between shifting to our new place, but I was not going to let go of such a good deal:)) I was happy with the skirt when it arrived, it fit me great, and I can already see it worn 100 different ways. It is definitely - a wardrobe essential! It was not trans-p so no needs-of-the-skirts-slips ;)

I went with the skirt and my fav polka dot blouse n black vest. Polka dot blouse/top is another wardrobe essential – who doesn’t love polka dots, man!! I threw in some accents with a cute red wristlet and red pumps. For jewelry, I went neutral with silver n white. 

The black skirt was a catch, and it’s a boon on those days of summer – when you are too lazy (or busy) to shave/wax but hell, you don’t want to miss out the fun of wearing skirts!! ;)

Well peoples, what do you think of this look? Do share your tips for dressing up a black skirt.

Tiered Black skirt - Antthony Design Originals via HSN

Polka dot blouse - H&M

black vest - NY and Company

Red wristlet - Shoppers stop

Jewelry - local boutique

Watch - Casio (Husband's)

Ring - Inorbit, India

Red pumps - Kelly & Katie, DSW

Glasses - Burberry