Trend Alert: Colorblocking

Nope, we’re not talking about making things out of colorful toy blocks. Colorblocking is in, and it’s all about fashion.

 Colorblocking means pairing two or more brightly-colored solid pieces of clothing for visual effect. For example, one of the girls around the CakeStyle office is wearing magenta pants and a bright orange sweater today, and it’s a great colorblocking look!

 All you need is a few of your summer pieces (maybe that bright yellow cardigan, cerulean t-shirt, and cranberry skirt) to wear together to get in on this fun winter trend. It’s a great way to keep your wintry days from getting dull with all those dark colors and neutrals, plus you can re-use the great pieces you wore all summer – no need to put those away in storage, thanks to colorblocking!

Check out this beautiful Polyvore for more colorblocking ideas.

Somewhere over the rainbow…
One of the biggest battles I face is getting women into color. I’m the first to fall in love with a little black dress, or to don a black legging and turtleneck for the beatnick look, but it has a time and a place, people! If you need to insert a little color in your life, there are some easy-peasy ways to do it. 
Accessories: these are a no-brainer. A teal flat with a black getup is an easy way to appear creative and super-slender. You can also play with necklaces full of colors and my all-time favorite: the scarf. Scarves are ideal for adding color and pattern without overwhelming.
Keep it near your face: scarves do this perfectly. Color near your face throws a flattering light onto it. A color you can count on to do this is coral — cobalt also works nicely. Earrings are another great way to get some color next to your face.
Makeup: Don’t be afraid to punch up your face with some blush or lipstick to make your features pop. Nudes lipstick can be fun, but is really best with a very dramatic eye (and is harder to do for daytime). A sheer stain works well for beginners who don’t want to look too crazy. Try Benefits Benetint, a classic and wearable look. It works on both cheeks and lips!
Finally, are you confused about how to put more than one color together? Never fear! Check out this color wheel for tips. Colors that are near each other are safe bets. Colors directly opposite one another can also work but are trickier. For example, red and green bring to mind the holidays, while blue and orange make me think of the Chicago Bears.