How to Wear Colours with Confidence

Are you dreaming of a world full of colour, even though your wardrobe is overflowing with neutrals? You're not alone.

Dressing with colour doesn't just make us look brighter on the outside — it makes us feel brighter on the inside too.  This feel-good fashion philosophy is known as “dopamine dressing” — the idea that wearing joyful, vibrant clothing can spark a more positive mindset. But for many, the thought of stepping outside of their neutral-palette comfort zone can feel overwhelming, especially if you're used to playing it safe with blacks, greys, and beiges.

So, how do you wear colours with confidence, without feeling as though you're dressing like somebody else?

This guide will show you where to begin!

Wearing colours with confidence isn't just about choosing the hues that you like — although that is a key component. It's also about finding the colours that'll make you look your best, so you can feel your best.

The easiest way to find your perfect colours is by discovering your colour season. The colour season analysis is a tool that groups colours into spring, summer, autumn, and winter, in order to determine which shades work best with your skintone. For example, if your colour season is winter, cooler colours like deep blues, bright reds, and greens will complement your complextion. Alternatively, those with a spring season should embrace warmer colours with yellow undertones, such as peach and light brown.

Choosing your hues based on this theory is a great place to begin when it comes to colour confidence, and you can learn all about it in our article on What to Wear According to Your Colour Season.

Wearing bright colours might seem like a foreign concept to start with and that's perfectly normal. Why not start by simply dipping your toe into the rainbow rather than diving in head first? Small, colourful accessories can bring just as much positive energy as an outfit drenched in colour.

A beaded necklace or some eye-catching earrings can make a big impact on your neutral outfits and they'll help you get used to the world of colour without being too overwhelming.

Once you're comfortable, you can wade a little further and swap your reliable brown bag for a vibrant handbag or purse. This is guaranteed to draw the eye, standing out beautifully against your subtle palette. If you're feeling extra bold, try completing your outfit with some colourful shoes to match your handbag. A pair of pink western boots or lemon heels can elevate even the simplest of outfits.

Before you head out, you might want to consider one more colourful accessory... an umbrella for all the compliments you'll be showered in!

Once you've mastered the art of accessorising with colours, it's time to take it up a notch with colourful jackets and layers. These are the perfect middle ground — bold enough to make your style statement but easy to remove if you're still finding your feet.

For a casual look that'll boost your mood whilst you're running the errands or walking the dog, throw a crochet cardigan or jumper over a plain cami or t-shirt. Available in a multitude of hues from solid shades to multicolours, they're a low pressure way to ease colour into your everyday wardrobe.

Colour can bring tonnes of confidence to your corporate looks, whilst also making you appear more approachable. Slip a bright blazer over a monochrome outfit and you'll instantly see the positive effect it has on your mood. A colourful blazer shows you're not afraid to stand out, whilst still keeping things polished and put-together. Overtime, you might even start matching your trousers to your blazer or adding a patterned blouse. 

Now you've picked out the shades you love and you know how fabulous you look wearing them, the next step is learning how to colour co-ordinate.

The first step is to choose a statement shade, either on top or bottom, and build your outfit around it. For example, if your statement shade is pink, you might choose a pair of pink trousers as your standout piece and pair them with a printed top that features complementary tones of pink woven throughout.

If you prefer solid colours rather than prints, you could try tonal outfits where you wear different shades of the same colour. Think navy denim jeans paired with a sky blue cardigan, or a forest green skirt paired with an emerald blouse. It's cohesive and elegant without requiring any loud prints or clashing hues.

If you're ready to explore a little bit more, you could even try complementary colours. Complementary colours are opposites on the colour wheel (i.e. purple and yellow or blue and orange) and they always go together. These pairings will make a captivating look without being too harsh on the eye. The key to colour co-ordinating is to play around and have fun. Soon wearing colours will feel like second nature.

A dress is your best friend if you're looking for an easy way to wear colour with confidence. It's a full outfit all in one, so you don't have to worry about co-ordinating your separates, and, when you choose the right tone, the impact is immediate.

Whether its a bold block of colour like deep red or sunny yellow, or a boho print with lots of beautiful hues, a colourful dress makes you feel energised, expressive, and — above all — confident! 

In the beginning you can start with colours that naturally suit your skin tone. Orange and yellow tones for autumn colour seasons and pastel shades for summer complexions. You can keep the silhouette simple and let the colour do all the talking, or you could choose a dress full of remarkable details that show off your personality as well as any pattern or print.

As your confidence grows, you can experiment with prints and patterns that blend unexpected shades. If you want to know how to choose prints that complement your style, check out our blog! 

Remember: how you style your dress can have an impact on the colour. Keep things grounded with neutral footwear and accessories (i.e. simple silver jewellery or brown boots), or go all-in with co-ordinating shoes or bags.