Matching Clothes: Tips to Coordinate Colors

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To effectively coordinate clothing colors, it's recommended to start with versatile options like black and khaki pants, avoiding matching shirts with pants of the same color. Black shirts should not be worn with black pants, and similarly, khaki shirts should not pair with khaki pants. Socks should match the color of the pants—black socks with black pants and tan socks with khaki. For casual wear, earth tones and muted colors are preferred, while bright colors can complicate outfit coordination. It's also suggested that shirts, belts, and shoes should generally follow a light-dark matching principle rather than being the same color. The discussion emphasizes the importance of comfort and personal style, with some participants advocating for a relaxed approach to fashion. Additionally, the concept of "color seasons" is mentioned, indicating that individual color preferences can enhance overall appearance.
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Hi all...i am having trouble getting my clothes to match. I don't have a girlfriend, so no one to help really. Is there a way of knowing what colors match and what don't? As in, a scientific rule I can apply?

Also, an online color matcher or overview of common coordinating and contrasting colors would be great.
 
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If you need to apply a scientific rule to match your clothes when you get dressed, I highly recommend buying a lot of black and khaki pants (um...different pants, not ones with both colors in them...black pants OR khaki pants...based on your question, I thought I should clarify that). Now, the only rule you need to worry about after that is don't wear black shirts with black pants or khaki shirts with khaki pants. Oh, and DO wear black socks with black pants and tan socks with khaki pants. Now you're safely color-coordinated. :biggrin:
 
Moonbear said:
If you need to apply a scientific rule to match your clothes when you get dressed, I highly recommend buying a lot of black and khaki pants (um...different pants, not ones with both colors in them...black pants OR khaki pants...based on your question, I thought I should clarify that). Now, the only rule you need to worry about after that is don't wear black shirts with black pants or khaki shirts with khaki pants. Oh, and DO wear black socks with black pants and tan socks with khaki pants. Now you're safely color-coordinated. :biggrin:

Dressing Casual 101.
 
No Black shirts with black pants? What is wrong with that?
 
mattmns said:
No Black shirts with black pants? What is wrong with that?
You look like a mobster...and rather monochrome. :wink:
 
Moonbear said:
You look like a mobster...and rather monochrome. :wink:

Pretty much.

I wear all kinds of colors though. I rarely wear black or white as t-shirts.

My colors are basically blue, grey, yellow, dark green, red, dark blue, etc...

I normally wear jeans too, but they are generally pretty distinct. Different shades of blue and style, so that it doesn't look like I'm wearing the same pants everyday.
 
I really like the stuff at:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/division.do?cid=5343

Lots of nice shades of browns and grays. I would say, stay away from bright colors. I have one too many shirts with color, and it limits what kind of shoes and pants you can wear with them.

But these days, I really don't give a crap what I wear or look like anymore. I just wear something comfortable and go out. I've turned into a bum.

Clothes are expensive, I'd spend my money on model airplanes and tools instead.
 
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Over the summer I was friends with a gay couple. Anyway, they told me a few things that are almost common sense, but you usually don't think about them

They basically said to wear the same color shirt as belt and shoes. Also, socks should be the same color as pants. Shirts and pants should almost never be the same color (it looks absolutely horrible).

As for a relation of pant color to shirt color... erm, whatever looks good? Black pants go with any color shirt (except for black shirts, of course). Gray pants generally go well with any color except for gray, red, yellow, or any combination of those. So gray pants with a dark green shirt looks good.
 
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And don't forget your color season kids.

http://dapples.stores.yahoo.net/yourseason.html
 
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  • #10
Moonbear said:
No Black shirts with black pants? What is wrong with that?
mattmns said:
You look like a mobster...and rather monochrome. :wink:
Or a Torontonian.
 
  • #11
moose said:
They basically said to wear the same color shirt as belt and shoes. Also, socks should be the same color as pants. Shirts and pants should almost never be the same color (it looks absolutely horrible).
Match your shirt to your belt and shoes?! :eek: So, if you wear a bright blue shirt, they thought you should get a matching belt and shoes? Ugh! It just proves that it's an unfounded stereotype that just because someone is gay they must have a good sense of style.
 
  • #12
Moonbear, it's more of a, dark shirt = dark shoes, light shirt = light shoes. Not exactly same color... :/
 
  • #13
moose said:
Moonbear, it's more of a, dark shirt = dark shoes, light shirt = light shoes. Not exactly same color... :/
Oh, okay, that sounds more reasonable. You had me worried there. I thought someone might have been pulling your leg and you were walking around like something out of the 70s! :smile:
 
  • #14
You're forgetting the "artsy" types that wear all black as a "statement". They think they are very cool.

Just NEVER wear white socks unless it's with sneakers and gym shorts.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
Just NEVER wear white socks unless it's with sneakers and gym shorts.
What's the problem with this?
 
  • #16
zoobyshoe said:
What's the problem with this?
I guess if you wear white pants, it's ok. :smile:
 
  • #17
Evo said:
I guess if you wear white pants, it's ok. :smile:
I wear white socks with both blue jeans and black jeans. To me this looks OK. However, zoobies have no idea what they're doing when it comes to human clothing, so I have to rely on people like you who understand these non-self evident aesthetics to explain your objections.

I read, for instance, that one should never wear a belt of a size such that you have to cinch it on the first or last hole. You should always find a belt that fits so you can use an intermediate hole. Apparently this is because the sight of too much, or not enough, belt sticking out bothers women's sense of aesthetics.

It wouldn't occur to me to worry about such a thing, but apparently all these little things add up because when I see a well-dressed woman it undeniably works, and looks great.
 
  • #18
zoobyshoe said:
I wear white socks with both blue jeans and black jeans. To me this looks OK. However, zoobies have no idea what they're doing when it comes to human clothing, so I have to rely on people like you who understand these non-self evident aesthetics to explain your objections.
Perhaps they don't have jeans in Evo's neck of the woods. :biggrin: White socks are fine with jeans. Basically, if you're wearing sneakers with it, you can wear white socks (actually, I don't think you should wear any other kind with sneakers, unless you really like people to notice your socks).

I read, for instance, that one should never wear a belt of a size such that you have to cinch it on the first or last hole. You should always find a belt that fits so you can use an intermediate hole. Apparently this is because the sight of too much, or not enough, belt sticking out bothers women's sense of aesthetics.
Quite frankly, it's not your belt we're staring at. :wink: I think that's more an issue of practicality of buying belts that have room to adjust up or down a notch or two if you gain or lose weight. But, if you start having to punch new holes in the belt, then it's time to get a new one.
 
  • #19
Moonbear said:
But, if you start having to punch new holes in the belt, then it's time to get a new one.
This bothers me. A cow died to make that belt. Why shouldn't I be allowed to extend it's usefullness as long as possible?


See, that's why I have trouble dressing myself well.
 
  • #20
Other tidbits:

Plaid pants are not cool, regardless of what some folks in New Jersey and some golfers think.

Lime green pants with white shoes are no longer popular since the 1950's.

Tower Records filed for bankruptcy, so there are no longer work places that have a minimum tatoo and piercing requirement for their employees.

Only Michael Jackson, version 2, could wear white socks with black pants (and a single glove).

Skinny jeans are only popular about one season every eight years. Bellbottoms only once per big bang cycle.
 
  • #21
The 'all black' thing is kind of iffy. One outfit that I wear for big events such as a major music night at the bar, or New Year's Eve, is black pants, shirt, jacket, belt and shoes, with either black or white socks. I have a really nice beige (not quite pink) tie that sets it off well.
Generally, sticking to 'earth tones' takes the guesswork out of it. Grey and black tend to go well with anything, and most shades of brown work together.
 
  • #22
zoobyshoe said:
I wear white socks with both blue jeans and black jeans.
I was thinking of dress slacks. Blue Jeans don't matter.
 
  • #23
Moonbear said:
But, if you start having to punch new holes in the belt, then it's time to get a new one.

I swear Moonbear is the only person I know who can always cover all variables at all times. She's just the coolest.

Yes, for not-casual dress, black pants go with anything. Skip ties at all costs because they're confusing and funny-looking anyway. :wink:

Casual but nice, khaki pants, and they go with whatever else you're doing too.

All other casuals, jeans and again, the balance of your colour combinations don't matter. Except for socks. Follow the socks rules outlined here.

It seems, though, that the starting point is pants and then work from there.
 
  • #24
Evo said:
You're forgetting the "artsy" types that wear all black as a "statement". They think they are very cool.

Just NEVER wear white socks unless it's with sneakers and gym shorts.
Are you sure you live in Kansas?

The VD movies we had to watch in junior high always had people from Kansas in them and they always wore white socks.

(And why do people in Kansas always talk with a warble?)
 
  • #25
zoobyshoe said:
This bothers me. A cow died to make that belt. Why shouldn't I be allowed to extend it's usefullness as long as possible?
Aww...don't worry. The cow died so somebody could have a nice steak dinner, the belt was just a bonus. :wink:

Of course, Zoobies probably don't have to worry about such things. Afterall, fur is always in style. :biggrin:
 
  • #26
Danger said:
The 'all black' thing is kind of iffy. One outfit that I wear for big events such as a major music night at the bar, or New Year's Eve, is black pants, shirt, jacket, belt and shoes, with either black or white socks. I have a really nice beige (not quite pink) tie that sets it off well.
Generally, sticking to 'earth tones' takes the guesswork out of it. Grey and black tend to go well with anything, and most shades of brown work together.
I wear all black sometimes: black jeans, black sneakers, black polo shirt, black belt, but with white socks.
 
  • #27
Men don't have a labour day; we never get pregnant. :rolleyes:
 
  • #28
If you aren't wearing pants it's a good idea to ditch the socks as well.
I don't know how I feel about it, but I've been told (by 2 people) that I look really good in "gay" colors. I don't know what that means though.
I just have to trust others as to what looks good on me. I'll wear whatever someone tells me too. When I shop for clothes is the only time I ever say yes when a salesman says can I help you.
 
  • #29
I was never a believer in the "color season" of individuals until my niece introduced me to it. I still think that no matter how well the color of your clothes go together, if they ain't your colors, they just ain't your colors.

Any color clothing may look good on you if your face and hair don't show.:wink: Your individual color season is the icing on the cake.

http://dapples.stores.yahoo.net/colors.html
 
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  • #30
damn, dapples is BRIGHT. I'm a bit too old for that much color. I'm much more into pastel shades. Muted, like my personality
 
  • #31
lunarmansion said:
and do not wear...white pants after labour day...
What's this no white after labor day about? Why not?
 
  • #32
tribdog said:
I'm much more into pastel shades. Muted, like my personality
Pastels aren't muted, greyed down, they're colors that have been mixed with white.
 
  • #33
Evo said:
I was thinking of dress slacks. Blue Jeans don't matter.
What are "dress slacks"?
 
  • #34
and when does it stop being after labor day and start being before labor day?
 
  • #35
zoobyshoe said:
Pastels aren't muted, greyed down, they're colors that have been mixed with white.
I'll change my statement then.
I'm much more into pastel shades. I'm white.
 
  • #36
tribdog said:
and when does it stop being after labor day and start being before labor day?
Memorial Day.

And, yes, definitely, if you're not wearing pants, don't wear socks. :biggrin:
 
  • #37
KingNothing said:
Hi all...i am having trouble getting my clothes to match. I don't have a girlfriend, so no one to help really. Is there a way of knowing what colors match and what don't? As in, a scientific rule I can apply?

Also, an online color matcher or overview of common coordinating and contrasting colors would be great.
why don't u know how to match your clothes? :bugeye: :smile:
 
  • #38
Moonbear said:
And, yes, definitely, if you're not wearing pants, don't wear socks. :biggrin:

Are people in shorts not allowed to wear shoes?

I get chastized all the time when I wear socks and sandals, but it keeps the snow off my toes. It seems dressing myself is yet another thing I don't know how to do properly.

If "no pants" means "naughty bits flying in the wind", then no socks is good advice. "Many a man has fallen victim to the sock gap".
 
  • #39
KingNothing said:
Hi all...i am having trouble getting my clothes to match. I don't have a girlfriend, so no one to help really. Is there a way of knowing what colors match and what don't? As in, a scientific rule I can apply?

Also, an online color matcher or overview of common coordinating and contrasting colors would be great.

you could ask people who would know :wink: like people at a clothing store. or watch what not to wear if you can get it where you live.
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/whatnottowear.html
 
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