COLOR IN FASHION

LEARNING TARGETS Describe the impact of color on clothing choices. Identify primary, secondary, and intermediate colors on the color wheel. Describe color schemes that work well together. Choose colors that are flattering on you.

DO YOU KNOW? The human eye sees as many as 6-7 million colors! No wonder why color has such an impact!

WHAT IS COLOR?  Light is the source of all color  All objects contain pigments, or substances that absorb some light rays and reflect others  When light strikes an object, you see only the colors that reflect, or bounce back, to your eyes  Color is seen by the eye but interpreted by the brain

WHAT DOES COLOR HAVE TO DO WITH FASHION?  Color is often the first thing you notice about the clothing in a store display  Color can help you choose clothing that helps you look your best  Color can help draw attention to or away from certain areas of your body  Color can create illusions in height and size

LANGUAGE OF COLOR  Hue: the name given to a specific color.  Primary Colors: red, yellow, and blue.  Secondary Colors: combining equal amounts of two primary colors (blue + yellow = green).  Intermediate Color: A primary color combined with a secondary color (blue-green).  Warm Colors: colors associated with the sun (red, orange, & yellow).  Cool Colors: colors that capture the essence of the ocean (blues, violets, & greens).

THE IMPACT OF COLOR  Color as Symbols  Red, Yellow, and Green at a stoplight  Holidays  Ceremonies & Celebrations  Groups & Countries  In Language (green with envy)  Colors and Temperature  Associations with nature (green as grass)  Warm & Cool Colors  Why wear white in hot weather?

THE IMPACT OF COLOR  Colors and Movement  Warm colors advance or move toward you  Warm colors are used to attract attention  Colors and Mood  Cool colors have a subduing effect  Cool colors give a sense of calm and relaxation  Warm colors express excitement and encourage you to be cheerful

THE COLOR WHEEL  A system that places colors around a circle.  Positions on the wheel show how the colors relate to each other.

COLOR VARIATIONS  Most colors you see appear lighter, darker, or softer than the hues on the color wheel.  Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.  Tint: a color that is lightened by adding white.  Shade: a color darkened by the addition of black.  Intensity is the brightness or dullness of a color.  High-intensity: emerald green & ruby red  Low-intensity: khaki green & dusty rose

NEUTRAL COLORS  Not on the color wheel  Not true colors because they do not contain pigment  Used to change the value and intensity of a color  Black, white, gray, and beiges

COLOR SCHEMES  A plan for using a color or a combination of colors to put together an outfit. Monochromatic Analogous Complementary Split Complementary Triadic Accented Neutral

MONOCHROMATIC Mono means “one” Chromatic refers to color. Uses the values and intensities of one color. Ex: baby blue shirt, blue jeans, and navy blue socks.

ANALOGOUS Uses two or more colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Ex: Yellow, Yellow-Orange, and Orange. Colors blend better when they are close in value and intensity.

COMPLEMENTARY Combines colors that are direct opposites on the color wheel. Ex: Red & green, blue & orange, yellow & violet. When complements of equal intensity are used together, a bold color scheme results. A softer effect can be obtained by using different values and intensities (ex: pink and forest green). Use one of the complementary colors as an accent (ex: yellow blouse with violet trim).

SPLIT- COMPLEMENTARY One color used with the two colors on each side of its direct complement. More common and easier to wear than a complementary color scheme. Often found in a plaid or print fabric. Ex: blue-and-green plaid pant accented with a stripe of red-orange.

TRIADIC Three colors equally spaced on the color wheel. Ex: Red, yellow, & blue. Bold if high-intensity colors are used. Would be easier to wear with softer, muted colors.

ACCENTED NEUTRAL A small amount of one color matched with white, black, grays, or browns. Since neutrals have no hue, they combine well with any color. Accent colors draw the eye and brighten up the neutral color. Often used to create a focal point, or point of interest. Ex: A gray suit accented with a yellow tie.