There are so many more colors in the world than what we’re aware of and it is these very colors which have the power to transform a drab outfit into an instant Hollywood diva outfit or make the best of outfits look drab. Design and color are what define someone’s outfit. So while Bollywood divas sizzled in white, this month, it’s the Royal Blue (PANTONE 19-3955) which is making waves in the world of fashion.

Royal Blue, just as the name suggests, is associated with royalty. It’s evocative, sensuous and dignified, and it provides designers (and buyers) with a much more complex color palette to work with than the boring navy blue. You must have at least one item in royal blue in your wardrobe – a pair of trousers, a pair of heels, jackets, blazers, jeans, tops or skirts. But do you know how to color co-ordinate your clothes?

There are many ways in which you can do so -

Basic Color Complement

It all boils down to the color wheel. Royal blue doesn’t occur naturally – it’s a combination of colors. This is why its complementary colors will also be a combination of two colors – yellow-orange, which will be placed exactly opposite to it in the color wheel.  So here, blue pants paired with a yellow-orange top, or a white top and accessories in the yellow-orange color palette would look gorgeous.

There’s a painting called Café Terrace on the Place du Forum by Vincent Van Gogh which is consistently discussed in art circles because of the manner in which he beautifully captures royal blue and its complementary colors.

Adjacent Complements

While basic color complements are those which are right opposite the color wheel, adjacent complements are the 3 colors right next to your royal blue. They are - blue, blue-green and green on the right; and purple, red-purple and red on the left side.

For those who feel basic complement colors are too bold for them, then adjacent complements are the answer for them!

Color Triad Complements

As the name suggests, it contains 3 colors which are at an equal distant from your base color. For Royal Blue, these colors are yellow-green and orange-red.

Of course, one does not have to stick to these specific colors; shades and gradations can be used to come up with interesting combinations. For example, a royal blue dress can have a very cute light-yellow green trim to it to accentuate its entire look. Or you can go the rocker chick way and pair your long blue top with orange slacks and a bright yellow-green jacket.

Or

Monochromatic Complements

Monochromatic colors consist of nothing but varying shades of the same color. And these shades are achieved by adding either white or black to the base color.

In the case of royal blue, the blue will be the base color. One can move from light to dark or dark to light, completely depending on one’s personal preference. Monochromatic colors give off a very unified look, and in order to bring about a dash of color, often accessories like a golden clutch or silver pumps are added to the outfit.

Picture courtesy- alicdn.com, flickr.com, pinimg.com and chictopia.com