THE LDC GUIDE TO COLOUR BLOCKING
By Talitha Ward
From colour wheels to good old intuition, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. So, because we want to wear all the good vibes on our sleeve this summer, and we’re sure you do to, we put together a quick crash course on how to colour block your looks this season.
The art of colour blocking can be traced back to legends like Stephen Burrows and Yves Saint Laurent and has had a place in many eras; from the vibrant and bold Swinging 60s to the bohemian aesthetics of the 70s. Since the early 2010s, this trend has consistently appeared on many a runway - from Gucci SS 2011 to Bottega Veneta Resort 2021. The fact it may be verging on a classic doesn’t make it any less intimidating and, from colour wheels to good old intuition, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. So, because we want to wear all the good vibes on our sleeve this summer, and we’re sure you do to, we put together a quick crash course on how to colour block your looks this season.
PASTEL
It’s no surprise that this trend tends to come about around summertime every year. Bright, happy and fun, colour blocking and the warmer season have more than one thing in common. The balloon sleeves and embroidered detail of the Cinta The Label Harper Top is perfect for a playful yet luxe look. Not to mention, Cinta The Label is all about slow fashion and only produces small seasonal runs, super important to us here at LDC. We styled the Harper Top with the Gwen Peony Trousers by Aggi; sitting opposite one another on the colour wheel, these muted tones of green and pink make for a bold yet soft combo that is sure to turn heads. To accessorize, the Bella Earrings by Amadeus are an LDC fave and are the perfect timeless accessory to juxtapose this playful look.
BRIGHT
There are so many ways to approach colour blocking but, when we’re in the mood for colour, we tend to go all out. While this trend is all about being adventurous and daring, there are a few tips that will help keep your look on track. One we always like to keep in mind is to stay within the same family - neons with neons, jewel tones with jewel tones etc. Speaking of neon, the Lucia Wild Lime Top by Aggi is the perfect showstopper piece for any outfit. For this look, the accessorizing is where the colour blocking comes in, so we kept it low key with the Ponte Roma Culottes by Judy Wu. The piece that brings this whole look together is the Bléque Ana Clutch in Orange – perfectly contrasting the vibrant green of the top and completing the bright and summery aesthetic.
BOLD
It may have once been considered a fashion faux pas but we are huge advocates of red and pink. Yes, we know, maybe slightly controversial but don’t knock it till you try it. If you’re feeling a little intimidated or struggling to decipher a plethora of colour wheel diagrams, its sometimes easier to have the work done for you. Luckily for us, Cinta The Label has done just that. The Daphne Dress is a beautiful combination of contemporary modernity and a regency-esque aesthetic all brought together by a bold red and pink colour block. We matched this striking piece with the Billie 920 Trainers by Trash Planet to tone down the look before elevating it all over again with the Alison Fern Libby Hoops – because more is more, right?
TONAL
If neutrals are your thing and you’re only just beginning to venture out your comfort zone, try going with a palette of complimentary rather than contrasting colours. Think a pastel and a bright of the same colour or, even simpler, darker and lighter versions of the same hue. For our take on a tonal look, we went with greens, creams and browns. These colours all sit next to one another on the colour wheel, rather than opposite, making for less of a dramatic effect. Starting with the Cinta The Label Cosima Knit, we decided to pair it with the Aggi Jessie Trousers in the shade Olive. The subtle combination of the two colours play off one another to create a muted yet still highly stylized contrast. Slipping on the Essen Summer Slide in Cognac effortlessly completes the subtle pairing and finishes the look’s luxe aesthetic.
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