Colour Blocking: A Beginner’s Guide to Get it Right

Summers are almost here and it’s time to bring on the colours to our wardrobe. Colour blocking has been a major trend and continues to be so. It lets you wear more than one colour and create a statement look. But we know colour blocking is a minefield that needs to be treaded carefully. One wrong move and you end up looking like a crayon box. 

Designer Rina Singh, the founder of Eka, says, “Colour blocking works in two ways, it can make you look comfortable and aesthetically pleasing or it can draw a lot of attention to you, almost making you look like a piece of furniture or art and no longer a person.” 

A look from Eka

She says the best ways to do colour blocking is to try blending colours and layers. “Create a story around it and not just shock value,” she suggests.

A look from Eka

“If you use a primary colour, use a subtle colour along with it,” advises Rina. She says if you pair jarring colours then the silhouette remains clean.  Pallavi Singhee, the founder of the label Verb, agrees, she says, “If the colour blocking is bold, then it's ideal to team outfit with nude makeup and minimal accessories. This will keep the look classy and chic.”

A look from Eka

Pallavi has another tip, she says, “Another trend that's more for the seasoned eye is colour blocking with prints. Multi prints wheeled in together to create an artsy soulful impact. These multi printed units - skirts, tops should be paired with solids and femme blouses to keep it casual and cool.” Rina adds that if the prints are loud keep the colours basic, “if it is intentionally too primary then basic shapes are  great,” she adds. 

A look from Verb

Besides these tips, Pallavi suggests, you can keep it feminine and sexy by adding lace underskirts in fitted dresses, or lace crop tops with oversized colour blocked sporty Bombers. 

A look from Verb

Also, colour blocking is an ideal way to minimize the waist or hide that awkward fat sticking out, says Pallavi, adding, "darker blocks of colour can be used to disguise areas one is not keen on showing off."

A look from Verb.