How to use the 3-color rule to look put-together (2024)

FAQs

How to use the 3-color rule to look put-together? ›

One formula I've found helpful to add color while still looking chic and put-together is the 3-color rule. Aim for 3 colors in an outfit, and yes, your neutrals count. Above, I've used 3 colors: tan/camel for the pants and shoes, red sweater, and light peach blazer. (My personal preference is 2 neutrals + 1 color.

The 3 color rule is simple: pick one primary color. Then, pick two other complementary colors. See the example below. We picked a main hue (a variation red), and complemented it with two different colors.

The underlying premise of the three colour rule is to not combine more than three colours in your outfit at any one time. The exception being black and white, which are technically not 'colours' but tones, and can be intermixed as a fourth colour in your outfit.

"There is a 60-30-10 color rule when it comes to design: 60% of the room (including its painted surfaces and décor) represents your dominant color choice; 30% is applied to a secondary color; 10% is for the accent color.

The triadic color scheme is based on three separate colors that are equidistant on the color wheel. Most designers employ the triadic color scheme by choosing one dominant color, and using the other two colors as accents.

You can use a color wheel to find color harmonies by using the rules of color combinations. Color combinations determine the relative positions of different colors in order to find colors that create a pleasing effect.

When you're pairing colors, you can find harmony through choosing complementary colors. In this case, opposites attract. This particular color scheme draws from two colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. When you do this, the result is a high-contrast color combo that's bright and that pops.

In the daylight, the most visible color is a wavelength of 550nm; a color between green and yellow. Our eyes catch red, orange, and yellow the fastest.

Here's what we want to avoid: Creating a line in that area with our clothes. Instead we want to create a longer section that takes up about 2/3 of our body visually, and then the shorter section is the 1/3 section.

What is the golden rule of dressing? ›

So when getting dressed, it is better to not divide the body in half but to divide it into thirds. So 1/3 of your body is covered by your shirt and 2/3 is covered by your pants or skirt or vice versa. This can also be applied when men are selecting suits, shirts, and neckties.

60–30–10 Rule

This is the 'golden ratio' for color proportions. The Rule comes from interior design; it works very well for UI design as it creates balance and helps the user to navigate with ease. The goal is to have 3 colors — primary/main, secondary and tertiary/accent. Primary/main is used for 60% of the design.

One formula I've found helpful to add color while still looking chic and put-together is the 3-color rule. Aim for 3 colors in an outfit, and yes, your neutrals count. Above, I've used 3 colors: tan/camel for the pants and shoes, red sweater, and light peach blazer. (My personal preference is 2 neutrals + 1 color.

The premise of the 3-color rule is not combine more than three colors in your outfit at any one time. The exceptions are black and white — they don't count, as they aren't technically colors, so they can be intermixed without actually adding a color to your outfit.