Orange – Not Just A Team Color

By Brian Maynor
October 4, 2013

Orange is one of the season’s most misunderstood and often neglected color options.  People either love it or hate it based on a team affiliation, but everyone agrees they really don’t know how to wear it.

Orange may not be the most user friendly or universally flattering color in the spectrum, but it can be amazing and deserves a fair shot.  Here are some great orange options that will not have you looking like a team mascot or Halloween decoration:

1.    Connotation.  On the color spectrum orange is the bridge between red and yellow and emotes qualities of each color.  Orange represents enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, determination, success and encouragement.  All very positive characteristics even though the color itself has a bad wrap.

2.    Combination.  One of the biggest questions about orange is what to wear with it.  This is a major hurdle to incorporating orange into a wardrobe.  While you can use it as a main color it often works best as an accent. 

Thinking beyond blue, purple and black can be difficult at first, but it only takes one item to be an inspiration.  Bracelets, scarves, pocket squares and art are great places to find color combinations.  When looking for orange options I immediately thought of Native American, tribal and other indigenous prints and patterns.  Pinks, turquoise, yellow, brown and grey in all of their shades are complementing colors to orange.  

3.    Tones.  Not all prints are graphic or colorful.  Tonal prints are great alternatives, particularly when working with a bold color.  Grouping colors within the same color family that are just shades apart give depth, movement and texture, but can be tricky to pull off.  Even though orange may be the new black, no one looks their best in head-to-toe orange.  My recommendation is keeping the tones confined to one item like the skirt or scarf and accenting it with a complimenting color.  If you want to pull off a tonal outfit, like the dress, keep the colors as contrasting as possible.

4.    Accessories.  The good old standby and catchall category.  When all else fails, or you just simply cannot bring yourself to wear an orange pair of pants there are shoes, bags, and other elements available to bring orange into your palette.

No fall season would be complete with orange and while I may love pumpkins, I certainly don’t want to look like one.  Orange may not be your favorite color, but you shouldn’t discount it entirely.  After all who doesn’t want to embody happiness, determination, creativeness and success?

Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com. 
 

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