The 3 colour rule is a basic guideline that can help create visually appealing outfits by using colours that complement each other. The general idea is to pick 3 colours to form the palette for an outfit – a dominant colour, a secondary colour and an accent colour.
How does the 3 colour rule work?
Here’s how the 3 colour rule works:
- Choose one colour to be the dominant colour in the outfit. This will take up the most visual space in the outfit.
- Choose a second colour that complements or contrasts with the dominant colour. This is the secondary colour and will take up less visual space than the dominant colour.
- Choose a third accent colour that complements the first two colours. This accent colour will take up the least visual space in the outfit.
The goal is to pick colours that work well together and create a cohesive and visually appealing look. Let’s break down each of the three colours in more detail:
Dominant Colour
The dominant colour forms the basis for the colour palette and should take up the most visual weight in the outfit. This colour will dominate the outfit and tends to be the colour of the main piece of clothing, like a blazer, dress, or trousers. When selecting the dominant colour consider:
- Choosing a colour you wear often and feel comfortable in.
- Picking a colour that suits your skin tone and brings out your best features.
- Selecting a versatile colour that can be mixed and matched easily.
- Going for a neutral colour like black, navy, tan, or white if you want an easy base to build on.
Some examples of commonly used dominant colours are navy, olive green, grey, maroon, and dark wash denim.
Secondary Colour
The secondary colour plays a supporting role to the dominant colour. This colour will take up less visual space in the outfit than the dominant colour. The secondary colour should complement or contrast with the dominant colour to create a cohesive palette. Here are some tips for selecting a secondary colour:
- Go for a colour that contrasts with the dominant colour in brightness or temperature, like pairing a dark blue with a warm tan.
- Choose a colour that is analogous to the dominant colour for harmony, like navy and royal blue.
- Look for a colour that complements the dominant colour, like navy and burgundy which are colour wheel opposites.
- Consider neutrals like white, grey, black or patterns like stripes or checks.
Some examples of popular secondary colours are olive, maroon, pink, sky blue, and leopard print.
Accent Colour
The accent colour adds a touch of flair to pull the whole palette together. It is used sparingly in the outfit, like in small accessories or shirt linings. When picking an accent colour consider:
- Choosing a bright, saturated shade that pops against the other colours.
- Selecting a colour that harmonizes with the rest of the palette.
- Going for metallic jewelry like gold or silver.
- Using patterns like polka dots, animal print or checks for interest.
Some popular accent colour choices are mustard yellow, emerald green, coral, and graphic black and white.
Putting the 3 Colours Together
Once you’ve selected your 3 colours, it’s time to put them together into a cohesive outfit. Here are some tips for combining them successfully:
- Place the dominant colour on your main piece of clothing like a dress, trousers, or coat.
- Use the secondary colour on another feature like a top, blouse, or sweater.
- Add in the accent colour on accessories like shoes, scarves, hats or jewelry.
- Make sure the proportions suit your body type, like balancing a wide dominant strip with a contrasting vertical line.
- Anchor the colours with neutrals like tan, grey, denim, or white to avoid looking overdone.
- Add interest with complementary patterns and textures like herringbone, tweed, stripes.
Follow the rough formula of 60%, 30%, 10% for how much space each colour takes up in the outfit. For example, dark jeans take up most of the visual weight, paired with a camel sweater as the secondary colour, and then a bright yellow belt as the accent colour.
Benefits of the 3 Colour Rule
Using the 3 colour rule has many benefits for creating stylish looks:
- Visual appeal – Combining colours that complement each other results in aesthetically pleasing outfits.
- Harmony – The colours work together without clashing or looking chaotic.
- Polished look – Outfits appear tailored and purposefully colour coordinated.
- Versatility – 3 colours provide enough variety to mix and match pieces while still looking cohesive.
- Flattery – Strategic use of colour can flatter and bring out your best features.
- Confidence – Knowing colours work together gives confidence to wear bold shades.
Using a colour palette of complementary colours is a foolproof way to always look put together.
Tips for Choosing Colours
Here are some useful tips when selecting colours for the 3 colour rule:
- Consider your skin tone – Pick shades that flatter your complexion.
- Test colours together – Look at colour combinations in natural light before wearing.
- Know colour temperature – Balancing warm and cool colours creates balance.
- Use a colour wheel – It helps pick analogous, complementary or triadic colours.
- Compare saturation – Balancing muted and bright shades gives variety.
- Know which colours suit you – Stick to colours you know make you shine.
Taking the time to select the three colours carefully makes all the difference in creating a winning look.
Common Colour Combinations
Here are some classic 3 colour combinations that always work well together:
| Dominant Colour | Secondary Colour | Accent Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | White | Red |
| Black | Grey | Leopard print |
| Olive green | Camel | Rust orange |
| Charcoal grey | Burgundy | Yellow |
| Dark denim | Tan | Sky blue |
| Chocolate brown | Blush pink | Gold |
Use these tried and tested combinations as a starting point when building a 3 colour palette.
Incorporating Patterns & Prints
Patterns and prints can be incorporated into the 3 colour rule for extra visual interest. When combining patterns keep these tips in mind:
- Use patterns in place of one of the three colours.
- Stick to one patterned piece per outfit maximum.
- Make sure the pattern uses colours from the overall palette.
- Scale down the pattern to use as an accent instead of a dominant print.
- Mix patterns with solids by pairing a striped tee with a solid skirt.
- Choose patterns with similar colour schemes like florals and paisley.
- Anchor busy patterns with blocks of solid colours.
Some examples of incorporating patterns:
- A red polka dot blouse paired with a navy skirt and red heels.
- A striped tee, solid tan trousers, and leopard print sneakers.
- A paisley print dress with a solid blazer and metallic heels.
When used strategically, prints can bring extra colour and personality into a 3 colour palette.
Seasonal Considerations
The 3 colour combinations you choose may vary depending on the season. Here are some seasonal tips:
- Spring – Use pastels like lilac, lemon, and seafoam green. Add florals and dots.
- Summer – Try bright, saturated colours like coral, aqua, and hot pink. Add nautical stripes.
- Fall – Rich earth tones like mustard, olive green, rust orange, and red work well. Add animal print.
- Winter – Deeper, darker colours suit winter like navy, charcoal, maroon and chocolate brown. Add argyle print.
Adjust your palette to suit the time of year for a seasonal colour update.
Conclusion
The 3 colour rule provides a straightforward formula to look instantly more stylish. Choosing a dominant colour, secondary colour and accent colour that complement each other results in polished, put-together outfits. Know your best colours, experiment with new combinations, and incorporate seasonal updates to get the most versatility from this handy fashion rule. With the 3 colour rule as your guide, you can always strike the right balance and colour coordinate like a pro.
