Master the Art of Color: Assemble Stunning Designs with a Flawless Bright Color Palette

friends enjoying an outing - Bright Color Palette
friends enjoying an outing - Bright Color Palette
friends enjoying an outing - Bright Color Palette

Dante Kim

October 8th, 2024

Get your color analysis done
in 60 seconds with WhatColors!

Get your color analysis done in
60 seconds with WhatColors!

Get your color analysis done in 60 seconds with WhatColors!

Bright colors can enhance a design from dull to captivating, but choosing the right hues can be challenging. A bright color palette allows you to explore your imagination without the constraints of best color combination. This guide will help you quickly devise a standout, professional-quality, bright color palette.

One valuable tool for achieving your goals is WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. This innovative color palette generator creates personalized color suggestions based on your unique preferences to help you easily create stunning, cohesive designs. 

Table of Contents

  • What Are Bright Colors in Fashion?

  • 5 Methods to Formulate a Perfect Wardrobe Color Palette

  • How to Create a Stunning & Versatile Bright Color Palette

  • Why Should You Try Wearing Bright Clothes?

  • How to Wear Color and Still Feel Like You

  • How To Style Bright Colors & Rock It Over 40

  • 15 Bright Colored Outfit Ideas

  • 4 Mistakes To Avoid When Wearing Bright Colors

  • Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

What Are Bright Colors in Fashion?


woman laying down - Bright Color Palette


Bright colors are pure colors with no black and very little white added. They include bright cobalt blue, bright yellow, orange, red, hot pink, lime green, bright purple, and anything else bright or vivid that you can think of. Often, two or even three brights may be positioned together.  When a material's color appears to radiate or reflect a lot of light, it is said to be a bright-colored object. The same color can be bright or dull, depending on the degree of light absorption and reflection. 

Technically, brightness is described as “saturation” or “chroma.” Bright colors have a high saturation. Fashion usually embodies conformity, but there are some for whom this does not apply. For them, bright colors have always been their forte. Those who favor bright shades in their clothes are seen as different, but the tribe is growing.

The History of Bright Colors in Fashion

In fashion, a turning point for bright colors happened when synthetic dyes were discovered. According to the history website “mauveine,” the compound that produced vivid purple hues was used as a dye for silk, cotton, and other fabrics. Queen Victoria wore a bright purple gown to the International Exhibition of 1862 in London. 

In more recent times, the decade of the 1960s is essential as a period when bright and vivid colors became very popular. The bright colors used in the Psychedelic fashion style are based on the psychedelic rock subculture of this decade. Rockabilly is another genre where bright colors are appreciated. Then, the preference for these colors faded. Then, striking and eye-popping colors became fashionable, like:

  • Hot pink

  • Lime green

  • Magenta

  • Lemon

  • Mimosa

  • Tangerine

Bright Colors Through the Decades: A Fashion Evolution from the 1980s to Today

In the 1980s, hot pink, cyan, yellow, and purple were everywhere, while the 1990s favored jewel tones. Bright colors faded but resurfaced in the 2010s. Today, you do not need the name of a fashion subculture or the trend of a season to go all out in bright colors. Bright colors are now bold, no longer tied to subcultures or trends.

Fashion designers find ingenious ways to incorporate bright colors into their designs. Today, designers like Jeremy Scott, Giambattista Valli, Valentino Garavani, and Prabal Gurung ingeniously incorporate vibrant hues, often seen on celebrities' Instagram posts. You will find eye-catching and innovative use of bright colors.

The Psychology of Bright Colors

Bright colors can elicit strong emotional responses that vary from person to person. The psychology of color indicates that bright colors can be mood-lifting and energizing. They can help create a positive, cheerful ambiance. Bright colors also imbue clothes with a youthful, playful quality. 

Consider incorporating bright colors into your outfits to add fun to your wardrobe. You can innovate a playful, whimsical look that can help shake off some of those winter blues. 

Common Bright Colors in Fashion and Their Appeal

1. Bright Shades of Red 

Red is a bold and attention-grabbing color that can add drama and excitement to an outfit. Many bright shades of red are popular choices for statement dresses and accessories. Their popularity in fashion is due to their vibrant and energizing presence, versatility, and ability to work well with various other colors and styles. 

It’s often associated with:

  • Passion

  • Energy

  • Confidence

2. Bright Shades of Pink 

The dress Marlyn Monroe wore is what is on my mind when I think of pink, the hot-pink bustier dress with a giant bow on the back and evening gloves, all in the same pink. That bold and eye-catching hue of hot pink got a lot of attention for her. And it is still considered the color when you want attention-grabbing garments. Pink is a bright color, period. It is feminine and can be bold and dramatic depending on shade. 

Many shades of pink can be pinpointed as bright:

  • Blush pink

  • Rose

  • Cotton candy

  • Flamingo

  • Cerise

  • Watermelon pink

  • Raspberry pink

  • Flurousant pink

  • Rosy pink

  • Razzle dazzle rose

  • Knockout pink

  • Purplish pink

  • Neon pink

  • Amaranth pink

3. Bright Shades of Blue

The bright shades of blue are: 

  • Cobalt blue

  • Loony blue

  • Blue ribbon

  • Deep sky blue

  • Blustering blue

  • Neon blue

  • Opulent blue

  • Overdue blue

  • Sparky blue

  • Vivid blue

4. Bright Shades of Green 

The bright colors of green are:

  • Kelly green

  • Lime

  • Pea-green

  • Seafoam

  • Pistachio

  • Chartreuse

5. Bright Colors of Yellow & Orange

Orange and yellow are by themselves bright and vibrant colors. They are energizing and bold in their base form. A lot of yellow shades are bright. 

These include:

  • Pale yellow

  • Buttercup yellow

  • Honey yellow

  • Daffodil

  • Maize

  • Sunflower yellow

  • Tuscany yellow

  • Neon yellow

  • Canary yellow

  • Lemon yellow

Bright shades of orange are:

  • Pumpkin

  • Melon

  • Apricot

  • Peachy orange

  • Papaya

  • Tangerine orange

  • Carrot orange

  • Coral orange

  • Salmon

  • Terracotta

Related Reading


What Are Neutral Colors
Color Wheel for Clothes

5 Methods to Formulate a Perfect Wardrobe Color Palette


woman thinking - Bright Color Palette


1. Universal Colors: A Quick and Easy Way to Build a Bright Color Palette

To quickly build a bright color palette, start with universal colors, shades that suit almost everyone. While they may not highlight your unique features like a custom palette, they’re a great starting point. If you need to develop a color palette quickly, these universal colors can jumpstart your palette. 

Due to their versatility, universal colors are often used for bridesmaid dresses and uniforms. If these colors are already in your wardrobe, they can be a solid foundation for creating a color capsule. 

These colors are as follows:

  • True black

  • Soft white

  • Teal

  • Turquoise

  • Pastel pink

  • Periwinkle

  • Taupe

  • Navy blue

  • True red

  • Eggplant

2. Is It Cool or Warm? Examining Undertone and Skin Tone Color Palettes

When selecting colors for your wardrobe, it’s crucial to consider skin tone and undertone. Your skin tone is your natural color and can change over time due to sun exposure, hormones, and aging. 

For color-matching purposes, skin tone can be broken into six categories:

  • Fair

  • Light

  • Medium

  • Tan

  • Rich

  • Dark

Determining your undertone is essential for finding the most flattering color palettes for your clothes. To determine your undertone, check which jewelry looks best against your skin, examine your skin’s reaction to white paper, and look at the veins on your wrist. Once you determine if you fall under the cool or warm category, you can find color palettes to enhance your features. Your undertone is more fixed and is categorized as:

  • Warm

  • Cool

  • Neutral

3. Hone Colors from Your Current Style and Color Analyze Your Wardrobe

Before starting this method, you'll want to do a closet clean-out to remove any items that you no longer wear or need. Open your closet to get a good view of all your clothing. Snap a picture of it. If your closet doesn’t have a straightforward viewpoint to collect all your clothes at once, take several photos of your clothes and group them. Now that you have a clean closet, you can start analyzing. 

Once you have your visual, upload it to an app or website that generates color palettes. This will help you determine the dominant colors in your wardrobe so you can build off this color palette to find an assortment of hues that work well together. If you want to be more thorough, you can also take photos of your outfits every day for 30 days and use that data to determine what colors you wear in your closet. 

4. Systematic Color Palette Building

This method is the most commonly used by color experts when dealing with capsule wardrobe palettes. If your wardrobe is capsule-based, or you are building a wardrobe from scratch, this will probably be the easiest method for you: 

  • You will want to identify neutral and base colors that mix and match easily. To achieve this, you need to have some neutral and base colors, even if you generally veer towards colorful outfits, which we will get to in this post. 

    • Your base neutral colors could be:

      • Black

      • Navy

      • Tan

      • White (sometimes) 

    • Your supplemental neutral colors can also be called “secondary neutrals.” It could be:

      • Browns

      • Tans

      • Taupes

      • Olives

      • Grays

  • You want to add some accent colors. Your accent colors will be the additional colors you add to your wardrobe. 

  • It’s important to consider any patterns or textures you want to include in your wardrobe’s color palette.

5. Take Inspiration and Develop a Unique Color Palette

While your closet may be a great source of inspiration for your color palette, it can be unclear if it is an assortment of items. Or if your style is in the middle of an evolution phase. If that’s the case, finding outside style inspiration and using a color generator is an excellent place to start. Collect some images of outfits you’ve worn and loved. Download those images to your desktop. Compile all images into a single collage image (I used the accessible version of Canva to do this, but any app or site you like will suffice). 

Again, you will want to crop the images so you don’t get too much background. Go to this website. Upload your collage image. Tweak or shuffle your color palette until you are satisfied. See the video for how to change a color manually. Download the color palette (and shades) for reference. Now, you have a great starter color palette to build off of and an idea of what colors you might want to add to your existing wardrobe.

How to Create a Stunning & Versatile Bright Color Palette


woman with a bun - Bright Color Palette


Seek Inspiration: Where Bright Color Palettes Begin

Color palette creation starts with inspiration. Look for bright color palette ideas in the world around you. Sources can include:

  • Nature

  • Art

  • Architecture

  • Everyday objects

Immersing yourself in a world of color sparks creativity and helps you find unique combinations. Explore:

  • Color trends

  • Runway shows

  • Fashion magazines

Understand Color Theory: The Rules Of The Game

Familiarize yourself with the basics of color theory. Learn about the:

  • Color wheel

    • Primary

    • Secondary

    • Tertiary colors

  • Concepts like:

    • Complementary

    • Analogous

    • Monochromatic schemes 

Understanding these principles helps you build harmonious and visually appealing palettes.

Define Your Palette's Purpose: Get Clear About Your Goals

Consider the message and mood you want to convey through your fashion collection. Are you seeking a vibrant, energetic vibe or a more subdued, elegant feel? 

Define your palette's purpose to guide your color selection. Different colors evoke different emotions, so choose wisely. 

Start with a Foundation: Build Your Color Palette

Build your palette with a few core colors to serve as the foundation. These are usually neutral or versatile hues that anchor your designs and allow other colors to shine. Include colors that mix, match, and return to solid core colors. 

Classic colors are timeless choices that complement a wide range of shades, such as:

  • Black

  • White

  • Beige

  • Navy 

Explore Color Relationships: Achieve Balance and Depth

Experiment with different color relationships to achieve balance and depth in your palette. 

  • Complementary colors, located opposite each other on the color wheel, create bold contrasts. 

  • Analogous colors, found adjacent to each other, provide a harmonious and cohesive look. 

  • Triadic or tetradic schemes offer vibrant combinations for a dynamic impact. 

Consider Color Psychology: Select Colors With Intent

Colors have a profound impact on human psychology. Research the emotional associations tied to various shades and consider how they align with your fashion collection's intended message. Use this knowledge to evoke specific emotions in your designs. 

For example:

  • Blue conveys calmness and stability

  • Red exudes passion and energy

Test and Refine: Make Sure It All Works Together

Test the colors in different combinations and contexts as you build your palette. Continually refine your palette by eliminating or adding colors until you achieve a harmonious balance that aligns with your vision. 

Experiment with various:

  • Fabric swatches

  • Sketch designs

  • Create digital mock-ups

Explore Your Perfect Colors: Using WhatColors’ AI Color Analysis for Personalized Style

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Why Should You Try Wearing Bright Clothes?


woman walking - Bright Color Palette


Bold Colors Boost Confidence and Mood

I love bright colors so much because they may affect how we feel. When you wear them, you can't help but feel energized and enthusiastic. These cheerful tones have the power to give your day a sense of life and raise your spirits, giving you more reasons to go bright.

Examples of these reasons are as follows:

  • Bright hues uplift our moods

  • Increase happiness

  • Improve our general well-being

Stand Out in the Crowd

So, one of the most important benefits of wearing brightly colored clothing is that it makes you stand out in the crowd. A splash of lively color stands out in a sea of bland hues and draws attention. So, make sure the bright-colored outfit works best for you. A bright pink-colored shirt in an interview when wearing a suit would make you stand out. Worth a try, eh? 

Picture entering a room dressed in a magnificent, eye-catching ensemble. All eyes are on you as heads turn and conversations pause. You have the power to make a lasting impression on others around you by embracing vibrant colors.

Showcase Your Personality

Brightly colored clothing makes a great canvas for showcasing your personality. Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. Brightly colored clothing allows you to try new things and show your true colors. There is an energetic color out there that perfectly captures your inner soul, whether you:

  • Love blazing red

  • Cheery yellows

  • Explosive pinks

Adopting intense colors gives you the confidence to express your identity without speaking a word. Wearing brightly colored clothing is a timeless method of making a statement in a world where fashion fads come and go. It’s a call to:

  • Abandon your comfort zone

  • Embrace your flair

  • Revel in the happiness that bright colors provide

How to Wear Color and Still Feel Like You

Embrace Your Favorite Cuts and Silhouettes When Adding Color

Choose a colorful piece in a shape you typically wear. If you don’t wear ruffles, stay away from ruffles and color. It’s too much new. Save the ruffles for a neutral color, and opt for color in a more classic style, like a crewneck or cardigan. 

Find Your Favorite Color

Wear a color you like. Yes, that sounds simple, but don’t wear pink if you’re not a pink person. 

Pro tip: Blue is one of those universal colors that looks good on everyone. 

Pick a Color That Feels Comfortable

Pick a shade that is comfortable for you. Often, more diluted colors feel more “do-able” than very saturated bright colors. However, the more pigmented, bright colors are the ones that pop on the screen, so if you’re zooming regularly, I encourage you to try going bolder. 

Combine Bright Colors with Neutrals

Pair the color with a neutral. Wearing a color with black, camel, or denim makes it feel more muted and wearable. 

Ground Color with a Neutral Third Piece

Adding a topper to a colorful item allows the color to do its job without being the center of attention. 

Mix and Match Brights for Your Own Unique Look

How much to match? It’s entirely up to you. You can wear different violets, such as a bright purple blazer with a soft lilac blouse and pants. You can get a matching set of tops and bottoms or choose to mix and match bright patterns. Most people generally avoid clashing patterns like stripes and polka dots.

Get the Proportions Right

I’m going out on a limb here, but I believe you have much more freedom with color than you think. If the outfit’s proportions are good, the pieces fit your body well, the shapes are modern, and the elements work well together, you can fill in those outlines with almost any color or pattern, and it will gel. Of course, this assumes you have a degree of visual sophistication. 

When I mentioned this theory to the head designer at MM, LaFleur, she looked at me and said, “That would be a huge mess for many people.” I get that. Use caution. 

Experiment to Find Your Style

Finding your style when wearing bright colors calls for thinking outside the box. In your closet, hold up clothing with different colors and patterns that you normally wouldn’t pair together; you might like the combination.

Discover Your Perfect Colors with WhatColors

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Related Reading


How to Style Clothes
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Yellow Color Combinations Clothing
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How To Style Bright Colors & Rock It Over 40


woman in tennis court - Bright Color Palette


Jump Into Bold Accessories

Trying a bold accessory is one of the easiest ways to add a pop of color to your wardrobe! These accessories are all great options:

  • Bright pair of shoes

  • Bold-colored bag

  • Fun, colorful sunnies

  • Brightly colored printed scarf   

Choose Your Colors Wisely

Our next tip is to choose colors wisely. Some colors look great on everyone and every skin tone. Great colors to try out if you’re new to the color game, like jewel tones, are as follows:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Emerald green

  • Deep red 

Think about what colors you like, try wearing them, and if the color lights up your face, it’s the color for you! Colors that I know I look good in and love are:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Most shades of pink

  • Shades of green

  • Certain yellows.   

Color Block Your Outfit

If you already know what colors look good on you… great! Maybe you should try color blocking your outfits. You’ll see this chic pink and red color-bl outfit shared again below, but a few other shades that work well together are:

  • Pink and orange

  • Pink and blue

  • Blue and green

  • Blue and orange

  • Yellow and purple

  • Yellow and green

Don’t Mix Too Many Colors

I’m all for color blocking and mixing colors, but… you don’t want to mix too many colors. If you’re mixing bright colors, I’d stick with only mixing a maximum of two different colors so you still get that bold, colorful look but it’s not too overpowering! 

Pair Colored Clothes w/ Neutrals

If you prefer not to go full-blown color with your outfits, try mixing one piece of colorful clothing with neutrals. 

  • All-white outfit? Add a blue blazer! 

  • All black outfit? Add a red handbag. 

  • All brown outfits? Add a pop of pink!   

6. Try Monochrome  

How do you feel about monochromatic outfits? If you’ve ever worn an all-black outfit, you’ve worn monochrome! So why not try it out with a bright color? My biggest tip when trying a monochromatic look is to vary your tones and textures. In the look above, I’m wearing a green knit sweater with a green leather skirt. They are shades of green and different textures, which helps add more depth to the look.

15 Bright Colored Outfit Ideas


woman in a park - Bright Color Palette


1. Blue Printed Dress Outfit

Ready to embrace bright colors? This outfit idea is straightforward. Just throw on a dress! The blue printed dress does all the heavy lifting. The color is beautiful, and shades of blue look great on many skin tones. 

Style it with neutral pieces you already have in your closet, and BAM, you’re done! It can be a dramatic maxi dress like this or a simple blue mini or midi. And if blue isn’t your color, consider trying a dress in:

  • Green

  • Red

  • Pink

  • Yellow

2. Mint Green Pop Of Color

Maybe you’re not quite ready to jump into a dramatic, colorful dress, especially if you’re typically used to wearing only black and white. No problem! Consider adding a pop of color to your outerwear. I’m wearing an all-white outfit (varying tones and textures) and added a gorgeous mint green blazer to this look. 

I love wearing blazers, but your colorful outerwear can be a cargo jacket, bomber jacket, or whatever fits your style. This one has many color options, so you can choose what color speaks to you. 

3. Red Bag Pop of Color

Another great way to try color without committing to a piece of outerwear is to add a handbag! I mentioned in my tips above that adding bold accessories is a great way to try color. 

As you can see in this look, I’m wearing a white blazer and jeans, but the pop of red packs a punch. Another great thing about adding a colorful accessory is finding affordable options.

4. Color Blocked Pink & Red Outfit

How do you feel about color blocking? It can be tricky, but it’s much fun if you love color! I love mixing and matching different pieces to see what color combinations work for me. Pink and red are by far one of my favorite color combos. In the look above, I’m wearing a red oversized blazer with fun hot pink pants. 

If you don’t like these colors, maybe try a pink blazer with brown pants or a green dress with a yellow blazer. The possibilities are endless! But remember to limit the number of colors you’re mixing to two. 

5. Pink Monochrome Outfit

If you love a bright outfit and want to embrace it, try a head-to-toe monochromatic look! In the outfit above, I’m wearing bright pink, one of the hottest fashion trends. 

You can do a monochromatic look in any color you like! Some other big 2023 color trends include:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Metallics

  • Greens

  • Reds

  • Purples

6. Yellow Dress Outfit

This is one of those color combinations I’ve mentioned that works. And I love it for spring and summer! I’m wearing a bright yellow dress with the same mint green blazer from the second look. 

Again, you can change the color combo to pink and green, blue and green, or whatever you prefer. OR, you can wear the bright-colored dress without adding a second color.

7. Purple Dress Outfit

This entire post is meant to show you how to wear bright colors. But you can still wear color without it being super bright. For example, this more muted purple dress isn’t bright neon purple. But it’s still a beautiful color you can try!

8. Green Printed Top Outfit

If you don’t want to wear a colorful dress, an accessory, or colorful outerwear, try brightly colored tops! This pretty printed green top is an easy piece to throw on with jeans or shorts for summer, and you still get that bright color pop. I also love that it’s printed instead of a solid color because it gives that same muted effect I was talking about in the last outfit.

9. Red Skirt Outfit

Avoid wearing colors on certain parts depending on your body shape. For example, if you have a Triangle body shape, you may not want to wear bright colors on your lower half because they will make that area look more prominent. If you have an Inverted Triangle body shape, wearing bright colors and prints on your lower half will help balance out your body shape. 

This is why I wanted to share this fun red faux leather midi skirt as an example of how to style your bright statement pieces for your body. Red is one of those jewel tones that looks amazing on so many people, but how you style it is just as important.

10. Lipstick Pop of Color

If all these tips and outfit ideas still feel like too much color for you… try wearing colorful lipstick! I love bright red or pink lipstick to add a fun little pop of color. Some of my favorites include:

  • Sephora Lip Stain in Always Red

  • Flaming Flamingo

  • YSL Matte Lipstick

11. Spotlight the Shoes!

Most of us go neutral on our shoes. It’s practical, sure, but is it necessary? Bright outfits can start with the shoe! Try structuring your outfit around pink kicks. A black dress and minimal accessories will draw more attention to a neon shoe. Or you can pair a pair of pink shoes with a shirt with some of that shade of pink. 

Wearing brightly colored shoes with colored sunglasses or a hat makes you stand out from head to toe. Concentrating the bulk of your outfit’s color in the shoe is a great way to dip your toe into the world of color if you are more accustomed to neutrals. Even if it’s just toenail polish, incorporating color in a small way can help you figure out which colors you feel best before committing to larger pieces, like coats. 

12. Play with Patterns

Pick one color in a patterned piece to be the basis of another solid piece in your ensemble. For example, match red flowers or stripes on a shirt to red pants. When wearing bright-colored clothes, matching the same hue evokes a more polished look, whereas not matching is funky and experimental. 

13. Feature Shortalls or Overalls

Shortalls and overalls for women are typically solid colors. To incorporate bright colors, clothing underneath them can be as fluorescent and loud as you’d like. You can even splatter white ones with bright fabric paint! A bright hoodie or oversized sweater over a pair of overalls is a great way to style overalls and will keep you comfy and warm in cooler weather.

14. Pair with Bright White

Bright color clothing sometimes needs a neutral. Muted colors go well with khakis and shades of brown and gray. Dark colors go well with black. But bright colors go best with bright white. 

For example, pairing a rainbow crop top with white cropped pants keeps the look fresh and vibrant, whereas other neutral pants might weigh down the top’s colors.

15. Remember, Denim is Versatile

When in doubt, women's jeans go with everything. If you are feeling extra on trend, ripped jeans for women will enhance your style this spring. Denim shorts, jackets, and pants keep your bright tops and sweaters fun and casual. But it’s also easy to dress up any denim look with heels.

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Wearing Bright Colors


woman with friends - Bright Color Palette


1. Stop Right There! Don’t Combine Three Or More Colors

The ultimate holy rule of sporting bright-colored clothes is never to combine three or more colors simultaneously. This is a crucial tip when combining different clothing pieces to produce an entire outfit. For instance, you can’t sport three bright colors and expect a well-organized and harmonious result. Often, the outcome would be over-the-top, flashy, and exaggerated.  

Don’t attempt to wear three solid colors that can be worn in different colors on one cloth, such as:

However, it would be an exemption if you intend to mute it down with neutrals. Ultimately, the best rule is to tone down and balance bright colors with staple or primary colors such as:

  • White

  • Black

  • Blue

  • Beige

Remember, it's all about balance. It's better to be in control of your color pairings than to go overboard. You don't want to be caught in a fashion faux pas, do you? So, keep it balanced and always look confident and in control.

2. Avoid Mixing Bad Color Combinations

Choosing colors proven to work is nothing to be ashamed of. This is the safest you can go when wearing colorful clothes. This is a good starting tip if you’re still afraid of experimenting with different color combinations. However, if you’re ready to get out of your comfort zone, it’s time to match other colors to make the best outcome. To avoid bad color pairing, it’s time to use color-blocking techniques. Here are some terrible color combinations to avoid at all costs.  

Green And Red

Red and green are great combinations and suitable for houses and decor, especially during the holiday season. However, remember to pair both colors with your outfit. Clothing in bright green and red doesn’t work together unless you want to mimic a Christmas tree. If you insist on wearing these colors, you might as well dress up for Halloween as a Christmas character. 

The apparent reason to avoid this color pairing is that green and red always give off a Christmas vibe. It’s bizarre to sport this look in other seasons, as people would be reminded of the holiday seasons when they look at your outfit. You could end up getting weird stares from others.

Yellow And Purple 

While some cheerleading teams in colleges and high schools have combined these two colors as their class uniforms, I would prefer to wear them as my everyday outfit. They may work as a basketball brand color theme, but not on you. It’s too challenging to pull off this color combination. 

The reason is that they don’t simply click together. Yellow is too vibrant, and purple is a distracting color. Also, this color pairing has never been common in the fashion industry. Even elite and high-fashion designers never risk using this color combination.  

Orange And Red

While some people can pull off this look, doing so is risky. Orange and red look similar. You’re just too bright by wearing both, which can hurt the eyes. This might be a little fashion mistake that some people haven’t discovered yet. 

Based on the color wheel, these colors are too close together and are overly bright, so it’d be better to have another shade tone down the brightness of the other tone. Therefore, avoid combining red and orange clothes.

3. Failing To Consider Your Features

Color combinations should also consider your features. This is something that people often overlook. Choosing the right colors for an outfit should be based on the individual’s unique characteristics. 

These characteristics influence the selection of brightly colored clothes. For instance, you can consider your:

4. Not Checking Your Overall Look In The Mirror

Another mistake many people make, especially when they dress up in a rush, is not checking and looking in the mirror before heading out the door. Checking your overall appearance is important, especially for a final assessment and looking at your bright-colored outfit. This is the most crucial step to seeing how colors fully complement or contradict one another.

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Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

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Bright colors can enhance a design from dull to captivating, but choosing the right hues can be challenging. A bright color palette allows you to explore your imagination without the constraints of best color combination. This guide will help you quickly devise a standout, professional-quality, bright color palette.

One valuable tool for achieving your goals is WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. This innovative color palette generator creates personalized color suggestions based on your unique preferences to help you easily create stunning, cohesive designs. 

Table of Contents

  • What Are Bright Colors in Fashion?

  • 5 Methods to Formulate a Perfect Wardrobe Color Palette

  • How to Create a Stunning & Versatile Bright Color Palette

  • Why Should You Try Wearing Bright Clothes?

  • How to Wear Color and Still Feel Like You

  • How To Style Bright Colors & Rock It Over 40

  • 15 Bright Colored Outfit Ideas

  • 4 Mistakes To Avoid When Wearing Bright Colors

  • Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

What Are Bright Colors in Fashion?


woman laying down - Bright Color Palette


Bright colors are pure colors with no black and very little white added. They include bright cobalt blue, bright yellow, orange, red, hot pink, lime green, bright purple, and anything else bright or vivid that you can think of. Often, two or even three brights may be positioned together.  When a material's color appears to radiate or reflect a lot of light, it is said to be a bright-colored object. The same color can be bright or dull, depending on the degree of light absorption and reflection. 

Technically, brightness is described as “saturation” or “chroma.” Bright colors have a high saturation. Fashion usually embodies conformity, but there are some for whom this does not apply. For them, bright colors have always been their forte. Those who favor bright shades in their clothes are seen as different, but the tribe is growing.

The History of Bright Colors in Fashion

In fashion, a turning point for bright colors happened when synthetic dyes were discovered. According to the history website “mauveine,” the compound that produced vivid purple hues was used as a dye for silk, cotton, and other fabrics. Queen Victoria wore a bright purple gown to the International Exhibition of 1862 in London. 

In more recent times, the decade of the 1960s is essential as a period when bright and vivid colors became very popular. The bright colors used in the Psychedelic fashion style are based on the psychedelic rock subculture of this decade. Rockabilly is another genre where bright colors are appreciated. Then, the preference for these colors faded. Then, striking and eye-popping colors became fashionable, like:

  • Hot pink

  • Lime green

  • Magenta

  • Lemon

  • Mimosa

  • Tangerine

Bright Colors Through the Decades: A Fashion Evolution from the 1980s to Today

In the 1980s, hot pink, cyan, yellow, and purple were everywhere, while the 1990s favored jewel tones. Bright colors faded but resurfaced in the 2010s. Today, you do not need the name of a fashion subculture or the trend of a season to go all out in bright colors. Bright colors are now bold, no longer tied to subcultures or trends.

Fashion designers find ingenious ways to incorporate bright colors into their designs. Today, designers like Jeremy Scott, Giambattista Valli, Valentino Garavani, and Prabal Gurung ingeniously incorporate vibrant hues, often seen on celebrities' Instagram posts. You will find eye-catching and innovative use of bright colors.

The Psychology of Bright Colors

Bright colors can elicit strong emotional responses that vary from person to person. The psychology of color indicates that bright colors can be mood-lifting and energizing. They can help create a positive, cheerful ambiance. Bright colors also imbue clothes with a youthful, playful quality. 

Consider incorporating bright colors into your outfits to add fun to your wardrobe. You can innovate a playful, whimsical look that can help shake off some of those winter blues. 

Common Bright Colors in Fashion and Their Appeal

1. Bright Shades of Red 

Red is a bold and attention-grabbing color that can add drama and excitement to an outfit. Many bright shades of red are popular choices for statement dresses and accessories. Their popularity in fashion is due to their vibrant and energizing presence, versatility, and ability to work well with various other colors and styles. 

It’s often associated with:

  • Passion

  • Energy

  • Confidence

2. Bright Shades of Pink 

The dress Marlyn Monroe wore is what is on my mind when I think of pink, the hot-pink bustier dress with a giant bow on the back and evening gloves, all in the same pink. That bold and eye-catching hue of hot pink got a lot of attention for her. And it is still considered the color when you want attention-grabbing garments. Pink is a bright color, period. It is feminine and can be bold and dramatic depending on shade. 

Many shades of pink can be pinpointed as bright:

  • Blush pink

  • Rose

  • Cotton candy

  • Flamingo

  • Cerise

  • Watermelon pink

  • Raspberry pink

  • Flurousant pink

  • Rosy pink

  • Razzle dazzle rose

  • Knockout pink

  • Purplish pink

  • Neon pink

  • Amaranth pink

3. Bright Shades of Blue

The bright shades of blue are: 

  • Cobalt blue

  • Loony blue

  • Blue ribbon

  • Deep sky blue

  • Blustering blue

  • Neon blue

  • Opulent blue

  • Overdue blue

  • Sparky blue

  • Vivid blue

4. Bright Shades of Green 

The bright colors of green are:

  • Kelly green

  • Lime

  • Pea-green

  • Seafoam

  • Pistachio

  • Chartreuse

5. Bright Colors of Yellow & Orange

Orange and yellow are by themselves bright and vibrant colors. They are energizing and bold in their base form. A lot of yellow shades are bright. 

These include:

  • Pale yellow

  • Buttercup yellow

  • Honey yellow

  • Daffodil

  • Maize

  • Sunflower yellow

  • Tuscany yellow

  • Neon yellow

  • Canary yellow

  • Lemon yellow

Bright shades of orange are:

  • Pumpkin

  • Melon

  • Apricot

  • Peachy orange

  • Papaya

  • Tangerine orange

  • Carrot orange

  • Coral orange

  • Salmon

  • Terracotta

Related Reading


What Are Neutral Colors
Color Wheel for Clothes

5 Methods to Formulate a Perfect Wardrobe Color Palette


woman thinking - Bright Color Palette


1. Universal Colors: A Quick and Easy Way to Build a Bright Color Palette

To quickly build a bright color palette, start with universal colors, shades that suit almost everyone. While they may not highlight your unique features like a custom palette, they’re a great starting point. If you need to develop a color palette quickly, these universal colors can jumpstart your palette. 

Due to their versatility, universal colors are often used for bridesmaid dresses and uniforms. If these colors are already in your wardrobe, they can be a solid foundation for creating a color capsule. 

These colors are as follows:

  • True black

  • Soft white

  • Teal

  • Turquoise

  • Pastel pink

  • Periwinkle

  • Taupe

  • Navy blue

  • True red

  • Eggplant

2. Is It Cool or Warm? Examining Undertone and Skin Tone Color Palettes

When selecting colors for your wardrobe, it’s crucial to consider skin tone and undertone. Your skin tone is your natural color and can change over time due to sun exposure, hormones, and aging. 

For color-matching purposes, skin tone can be broken into six categories:

  • Fair

  • Light

  • Medium

  • Tan

  • Rich

  • Dark

Determining your undertone is essential for finding the most flattering color palettes for your clothes. To determine your undertone, check which jewelry looks best against your skin, examine your skin’s reaction to white paper, and look at the veins on your wrist. Once you determine if you fall under the cool or warm category, you can find color palettes to enhance your features. Your undertone is more fixed and is categorized as:

  • Warm

  • Cool

  • Neutral

3. Hone Colors from Your Current Style and Color Analyze Your Wardrobe

Before starting this method, you'll want to do a closet clean-out to remove any items that you no longer wear or need. Open your closet to get a good view of all your clothing. Snap a picture of it. If your closet doesn’t have a straightforward viewpoint to collect all your clothes at once, take several photos of your clothes and group them. Now that you have a clean closet, you can start analyzing. 

Once you have your visual, upload it to an app or website that generates color palettes. This will help you determine the dominant colors in your wardrobe so you can build off this color palette to find an assortment of hues that work well together. If you want to be more thorough, you can also take photos of your outfits every day for 30 days and use that data to determine what colors you wear in your closet. 

4. Systematic Color Palette Building

This method is the most commonly used by color experts when dealing with capsule wardrobe palettes. If your wardrobe is capsule-based, or you are building a wardrobe from scratch, this will probably be the easiest method for you: 

  • You will want to identify neutral and base colors that mix and match easily. To achieve this, you need to have some neutral and base colors, even if you generally veer towards colorful outfits, which we will get to in this post. 

    • Your base neutral colors could be:

      • Black

      • Navy

      • Tan

      • White (sometimes) 

    • Your supplemental neutral colors can also be called “secondary neutrals.” It could be:

      • Browns

      • Tans

      • Taupes

      • Olives

      • Grays

  • You want to add some accent colors. Your accent colors will be the additional colors you add to your wardrobe. 

  • It’s important to consider any patterns or textures you want to include in your wardrobe’s color palette.

5. Take Inspiration and Develop a Unique Color Palette

While your closet may be a great source of inspiration for your color palette, it can be unclear if it is an assortment of items. Or if your style is in the middle of an evolution phase. If that’s the case, finding outside style inspiration and using a color generator is an excellent place to start. Collect some images of outfits you’ve worn and loved. Download those images to your desktop. Compile all images into a single collage image (I used the accessible version of Canva to do this, but any app or site you like will suffice). 

Again, you will want to crop the images so you don’t get too much background. Go to this website. Upload your collage image. Tweak or shuffle your color palette until you are satisfied. See the video for how to change a color manually. Download the color palette (and shades) for reference. Now, you have a great starter color palette to build off of and an idea of what colors you might want to add to your existing wardrobe.

How to Create a Stunning & Versatile Bright Color Palette


woman with a bun - Bright Color Palette


Seek Inspiration: Where Bright Color Palettes Begin

Color palette creation starts with inspiration. Look for bright color palette ideas in the world around you. Sources can include:

  • Nature

  • Art

  • Architecture

  • Everyday objects

Immersing yourself in a world of color sparks creativity and helps you find unique combinations. Explore:

  • Color trends

  • Runway shows

  • Fashion magazines

Understand Color Theory: The Rules Of The Game

Familiarize yourself with the basics of color theory. Learn about the:

  • Color wheel

    • Primary

    • Secondary

    • Tertiary colors

  • Concepts like:

    • Complementary

    • Analogous

    • Monochromatic schemes 

Understanding these principles helps you build harmonious and visually appealing palettes.

Define Your Palette's Purpose: Get Clear About Your Goals

Consider the message and mood you want to convey through your fashion collection. Are you seeking a vibrant, energetic vibe or a more subdued, elegant feel? 

Define your palette's purpose to guide your color selection. Different colors evoke different emotions, so choose wisely. 

Start with a Foundation: Build Your Color Palette

Build your palette with a few core colors to serve as the foundation. These are usually neutral or versatile hues that anchor your designs and allow other colors to shine. Include colors that mix, match, and return to solid core colors. 

Classic colors are timeless choices that complement a wide range of shades, such as:

  • Black

  • White

  • Beige

  • Navy 

Explore Color Relationships: Achieve Balance and Depth

Experiment with different color relationships to achieve balance and depth in your palette. 

  • Complementary colors, located opposite each other on the color wheel, create bold contrasts. 

  • Analogous colors, found adjacent to each other, provide a harmonious and cohesive look. 

  • Triadic or tetradic schemes offer vibrant combinations for a dynamic impact. 

Consider Color Psychology: Select Colors With Intent

Colors have a profound impact on human psychology. Research the emotional associations tied to various shades and consider how they align with your fashion collection's intended message. Use this knowledge to evoke specific emotions in your designs. 

For example:

  • Blue conveys calmness and stability

  • Red exudes passion and energy

Test and Refine: Make Sure It All Works Together

Test the colors in different combinations and contexts as you build your palette. Continually refine your palette by eliminating or adding colors until you achieve a harmonious balance that aligns with your vision. 

Experiment with various:

  • Fabric swatches

  • Sketch designs

  • Create digital mock-ups

Explore Your Perfect Colors: Using WhatColors’ AI Color Analysis for Personalized Style

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Why Should You Try Wearing Bright Clothes?


woman walking - Bright Color Palette


Bold Colors Boost Confidence and Mood

I love bright colors so much because they may affect how we feel. When you wear them, you can't help but feel energized and enthusiastic. These cheerful tones have the power to give your day a sense of life and raise your spirits, giving you more reasons to go bright.

Examples of these reasons are as follows:

  • Bright hues uplift our moods

  • Increase happiness

  • Improve our general well-being

Stand Out in the Crowd

So, one of the most important benefits of wearing brightly colored clothing is that it makes you stand out in the crowd. A splash of lively color stands out in a sea of bland hues and draws attention. So, make sure the bright-colored outfit works best for you. A bright pink-colored shirt in an interview when wearing a suit would make you stand out. Worth a try, eh? 

Picture entering a room dressed in a magnificent, eye-catching ensemble. All eyes are on you as heads turn and conversations pause. You have the power to make a lasting impression on others around you by embracing vibrant colors.

Showcase Your Personality

Brightly colored clothing makes a great canvas for showcasing your personality. Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. Brightly colored clothing allows you to try new things and show your true colors. There is an energetic color out there that perfectly captures your inner soul, whether you:

  • Love blazing red

  • Cheery yellows

  • Explosive pinks

Adopting intense colors gives you the confidence to express your identity without speaking a word. Wearing brightly colored clothing is a timeless method of making a statement in a world where fashion fads come and go. It’s a call to:

  • Abandon your comfort zone

  • Embrace your flair

  • Revel in the happiness that bright colors provide

How to Wear Color and Still Feel Like You

Embrace Your Favorite Cuts and Silhouettes When Adding Color

Choose a colorful piece in a shape you typically wear. If you don’t wear ruffles, stay away from ruffles and color. It’s too much new. Save the ruffles for a neutral color, and opt for color in a more classic style, like a crewneck or cardigan. 

Find Your Favorite Color

Wear a color you like. Yes, that sounds simple, but don’t wear pink if you’re not a pink person. 

Pro tip: Blue is one of those universal colors that looks good on everyone. 

Pick a Color That Feels Comfortable

Pick a shade that is comfortable for you. Often, more diluted colors feel more “do-able” than very saturated bright colors. However, the more pigmented, bright colors are the ones that pop on the screen, so if you’re zooming regularly, I encourage you to try going bolder. 

Combine Bright Colors with Neutrals

Pair the color with a neutral. Wearing a color with black, camel, or denim makes it feel more muted and wearable. 

Ground Color with a Neutral Third Piece

Adding a topper to a colorful item allows the color to do its job without being the center of attention. 

Mix and Match Brights for Your Own Unique Look

How much to match? It’s entirely up to you. You can wear different violets, such as a bright purple blazer with a soft lilac blouse and pants. You can get a matching set of tops and bottoms or choose to mix and match bright patterns. Most people generally avoid clashing patterns like stripes and polka dots.

Get the Proportions Right

I’m going out on a limb here, but I believe you have much more freedom with color than you think. If the outfit’s proportions are good, the pieces fit your body well, the shapes are modern, and the elements work well together, you can fill in those outlines with almost any color or pattern, and it will gel. Of course, this assumes you have a degree of visual sophistication. 

When I mentioned this theory to the head designer at MM, LaFleur, she looked at me and said, “That would be a huge mess for many people.” I get that. Use caution. 

Experiment to Find Your Style

Finding your style when wearing bright colors calls for thinking outside the box. In your closet, hold up clothing with different colors and patterns that you normally wouldn’t pair together; you might like the combination.

Discover Your Perfect Colors with WhatColors

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Related Reading


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How To Style Bright Colors & Rock It Over 40


woman in tennis court - Bright Color Palette


Jump Into Bold Accessories

Trying a bold accessory is one of the easiest ways to add a pop of color to your wardrobe! These accessories are all great options:

  • Bright pair of shoes

  • Bold-colored bag

  • Fun, colorful sunnies

  • Brightly colored printed scarf   

Choose Your Colors Wisely

Our next tip is to choose colors wisely. Some colors look great on everyone and every skin tone. Great colors to try out if you’re new to the color game, like jewel tones, are as follows:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Emerald green

  • Deep red 

Think about what colors you like, try wearing them, and if the color lights up your face, it’s the color for you! Colors that I know I look good in and love are:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Most shades of pink

  • Shades of green

  • Certain yellows.   

Color Block Your Outfit

If you already know what colors look good on you… great! Maybe you should try color blocking your outfits. You’ll see this chic pink and red color-bl outfit shared again below, but a few other shades that work well together are:

  • Pink and orange

  • Pink and blue

  • Blue and green

  • Blue and orange

  • Yellow and purple

  • Yellow and green

Don’t Mix Too Many Colors

I’m all for color blocking and mixing colors, but… you don’t want to mix too many colors. If you’re mixing bright colors, I’d stick with only mixing a maximum of two different colors so you still get that bold, colorful look but it’s not too overpowering! 

Pair Colored Clothes w/ Neutrals

If you prefer not to go full-blown color with your outfits, try mixing one piece of colorful clothing with neutrals. 

  • All-white outfit? Add a blue blazer! 

  • All black outfit? Add a red handbag. 

  • All brown outfits? Add a pop of pink!   

6. Try Monochrome  

How do you feel about monochromatic outfits? If you’ve ever worn an all-black outfit, you’ve worn monochrome! So why not try it out with a bright color? My biggest tip when trying a monochromatic look is to vary your tones and textures. In the look above, I’m wearing a green knit sweater with a green leather skirt. They are shades of green and different textures, which helps add more depth to the look.

15 Bright Colored Outfit Ideas


woman in a park - Bright Color Palette


1. Blue Printed Dress Outfit

Ready to embrace bright colors? This outfit idea is straightforward. Just throw on a dress! The blue printed dress does all the heavy lifting. The color is beautiful, and shades of blue look great on many skin tones. 

Style it with neutral pieces you already have in your closet, and BAM, you’re done! It can be a dramatic maxi dress like this or a simple blue mini or midi. And if blue isn’t your color, consider trying a dress in:

  • Green

  • Red

  • Pink

  • Yellow

2. Mint Green Pop Of Color

Maybe you’re not quite ready to jump into a dramatic, colorful dress, especially if you’re typically used to wearing only black and white. No problem! Consider adding a pop of color to your outerwear. I’m wearing an all-white outfit (varying tones and textures) and added a gorgeous mint green blazer to this look. 

I love wearing blazers, but your colorful outerwear can be a cargo jacket, bomber jacket, or whatever fits your style. This one has many color options, so you can choose what color speaks to you. 

3. Red Bag Pop of Color

Another great way to try color without committing to a piece of outerwear is to add a handbag! I mentioned in my tips above that adding bold accessories is a great way to try color. 

As you can see in this look, I’m wearing a white blazer and jeans, but the pop of red packs a punch. Another great thing about adding a colorful accessory is finding affordable options.

4. Color Blocked Pink & Red Outfit

How do you feel about color blocking? It can be tricky, but it’s much fun if you love color! I love mixing and matching different pieces to see what color combinations work for me. Pink and red are by far one of my favorite color combos. In the look above, I’m wearing a red oversized blazer with fun hot pink pants. 

If you don’t like these colors, maybe try a pink blazer with brown pants or a green dress with a yellow blazer. The possibilities are endless! But remember to limit the number of colors you’re mixing to two. 

5. Pink Monochrome Outfit

If you love a bright outfit and want to embrace it, try a head-to-toe monochromatic look! In the outfit above, I’m wearing bright pink, one of the hottest fashion trends. 

You can do a monochromatic look in any color you like! Some other big 2023 color trends include:

  • Cobalt blue

  • Metallics

  • Greens

  • Reds

  • Purples

6. Yellow Dress Outfit

This is one of those color combinations I’ve mentioned that works. And I love it for spring and summer! I’m wearing a bright yellow dress with the same mint green blazer from the second look. 

Again, you can change the color combo to pink and green, blue and green, or whatever you prefer. OR, you can wear the bright-colored dress without adding a second color.

7. Purple Dress Outfit

This entire post is meant to show you how to wear bright colors. But you can still wear color without it being super bright. For example, this more muted purple dress isn’t bright neon purple. But it’s still a beautiful color you can try!

8. Green Printed Top Outfit

If you don’t want to wear a colorful dress, an accessory, or colorful outerwear, try brightly colored tops! This pretty printed green top is an easy piece to throw on with jeans or shorts for summer, and you still get that bright color pop. I also love that it’s printed instead of a solid color because it gives that same muted effect I was talking about in the last outfit.

9. Red Skirt Outfit

Avoid wearing colors on certain parts depending on your body shape. For example, if you have a Triangle body shape, you may not want to wear bright colors on your lower half because they will make that area look more prominent. If you have an Inverted Triangle body shape, wearing bright colors and prints on your lower half will help balance out your body shape. 

This is why I wanted to share this fun red faux leather midi skirt as an example of how to style your bright statement pieces for your body. Red is one of those jewel tones that looks amazing on so many people, but how you style it is just as important.

10. Lipstick Pop of Color

If all these tips and outfit ideas still feel like too much color for you… try wearing colorful lipstick! I love bright red or pink lipstick to add a fun little pop of color. Some of my favorites include:

  • Sephora Lip Stain in Always Red

  • Flaming Flamingo

  • YSL Matte Lipstick

11. Spotlight the Shoes!

Most of us go neutral on our shoes. It’s practical, sure, but is it necessary? Bright outfits can start with the shoe! Try structuring your outfit around pink kicks. A black dress and minimal accessories will draw more attention to a neon shoe. Or you can pair a pair of pink shoes with a shirt with some of that shade of pink. 

Wearing brightly colored shoes with colored sunglasses or a hat makes you stand out from head to toe. Concentrating the bulk of your outfit’s color in the shoe is a great way to dip your toe into the world of color if you are more accustomed to neutrals. Even if it’s just toenail polish, incorporating color in a small way can help you figure out which colors you feel best before committing to larger pieces, like coats. 

12. Play with Patterns

Pick one color in a patterned piece to be the basis of another solid piece in your ensemble. For example, match red flowers or stripes on a shirt to red pants. When wearing bright-colored clothes, matching the same hue evokes a more polished look, whereas not matching is funky and experimental. 

13. Feature Shortalls or Overalls

Shortalls and overalls for women are typically solid colors. To incorporate bright colors, clothing underneath them can be as fluorescent and loud as you’d like. You can even splatter white ones with bright fabric paint! A bright hoodie or oversized sweater over a pair of overalls is a great way to style overalls and will keep you comfy and warm in cooler weather.

14. Pair with Bright White

Bright color clothing sometimes needs a neutral. Muted colors go well with khakis and shades of brown and gray. Dark colors go well with black. But bright colors go best with bright white. 

For example, pairing a rainbow crop top with white cropped pants keeps the look fresh and vibrant, whereas other neutral pants might weigh down the top’s colors.

15. Remember, Denim is Versatile

When in doubt, women's jeans go with everything. If you are feeling extra on trend, ripped jeans for women will enhance your style this spring. Denim shorts, jackets, and pants keep your bright tops and sweaters fun and casual. But it’s also easy to dress up any denim look with heels.

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Wearing Bright Colors


woman with friends - Bright Color Palette


1. Stop Right There! Don’t Combine Three Or More Colors

The ultimate holy rule of sporting bright-colored clothes is never to combine three or more colors simultaneously. This is a crucial tip when combining different clothing pieces to produce an entire outfit. For instance, you can’t sport three bright colors and expect a well-organized and harmonious result. Often, the outcome would be over-the-top, flashy, and exaggerated.  

Don’t attempt to wear three solid colors that can be worn in different colors on one cloth, such as:

However, it would be an exemption if you intend to mute it down with neutrals. Ultimately, the best rule is to tone down and balance bright colors with staple or primary colors such as:

  • White

  • Black

  • Blue

  • Beige

Remember, it's all about balance. It's better to be in control of your color pairings than to go overboard. You don't want to be caught in a fashion faux pas, do you? So, keep it balanced and always look confident and in control.

2. Avoid Mixing Bad Color Combinations

Choosing colors proven to work is nothing to be ashamed of. This is the safest you can go when wearing colorful clothes. This is a good starting tip if you’re still afraid of experimenting with different color combinations. However, if you’re ready to get out of your comfort zone, it’s time to match other colors to make the best outcome. To avoid bad color pairing, it’s time to use color-blocking techniques. Here are some terrible color combinations to avoid at all costs.  

Green And Red

Red and green are great combinations and suitable for houses and decor, especially during the holiday season. However, remember to pair both colors with your outfit. Clothing in bright green and red doesn’t work together unless you want to mimic a Christmas tree. If you insist on wearing these colors, you might as well dress up for Halloween as a Christmas character. 

The apparent reason to avoid this color pairing is that green and red always give off a Christmas vibe. It’s bizarre to sport this look in other seasons, as people would be reminded of the holiday seasons when they look at your outfit. You could end up getting weird stares from others.

Yellow And Purple 

While some cheerleading teams in colleges and high schools have combined these two colors as their class uniforms, I would prefer to wear them as my everyday outfit. They may work as a basketball brand color theme, but not on you. It’s too challenging to pull off this color combination. 

The reason is that they don’t simply click together. Yellow is too vibrant, and purple is a distracting color. Also, this color pairing has never been common in the fashion industry. Even elite and high-fashion designers never risk using this color combination.  

Orange And Red

While some people can pull off this look, doing so is risky. Orange and red look similar. You’re just too bright by wearing both, which can hurt the eyes. This might be a little fashion mistake that some people haven’t discovered yet. 

Based on the color wheel, these colors are too close together and are overly bright, so it’d be better to have another shade tone down the brightness of the other tone. Therefore, avoid combining red and orange clothes.

3. Failing To Consider Your Features

Color combinations should also consider your features. This is something that people often overlook. Choosing the right colors for an outfit should be based on the individual’s unique characteristics. 

These characteristics influence the selection of brightly colored clothes. For instance, you can consider your:

4. Not Checking Your Overall Look In The Mirror

Another mistake many people make, especially when they dress up in a rush, is not checking and looking in the mirror before heading out the door. Checking your overall appearance is important, especially for a final assessment and looking at your bright-colored outfit. This is the most crucial step to seeing how colors fully complement or contradict one another.

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Color Matching Clothes

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WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

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