I love working as a Personal Shopper Bristol and also enjoy shopping with my clients in London, Bath and Exeter. One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “I want to wear more colour – how can I start adding more colour into my wardrobe?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Style is personal and individual to you. The right outfit has to reflect you, your lifestyle, your personality, your stage of life and it needs to feel effortless.
That’s why I encourage my clients to start with one of the most powerful styling tools we all have at our disposal: colour!
Why Wearing Colour Matters
Colour is transformative because it can:
- Instantly lift your mood and give you energy. Yes, really!
- Make your skin glow and your eyes sparkle when you wear the right shades.
- Help you stand out and feel more visible in your career and personal life.
- Showcase your personality without you having to say a word.
And, here’s the good news! Wearing colour doesn’t mean head-to-toe brights or stepping way outside your comfort zone. It’s about finding a palette that works in harmony with your natural skin tone, hair, and features.
Warm, cool, soft, bright, light or deep, the right colour will always bring out the best version of you.
One of my clients put it beautifully:
“Chantelle showed me colours I never thought I could wear. Now I get compliments all the time, and I feel more confident walking into work meetings.”
5 Ways to Wear Colour Successfully
Here are my five tried-and-tested ways to introduce colour into your wardrobe for maximum impact:
1. Start Small with Accessories
If your wardrobe is dominated by neutrals (black, navy, or grey), begin with introducing accessories. Think about your shoes, belts, scarves, jewellery, or bags. Metallics (gold, silver, bronze) and animal prints are technically neutrals, so they pair with everything.
2. Add Colour on Your Top Half
The easiest place to wear colour is above the waistline. Swap your black blazer for a colourful jacket or choose a knit in a flattering hue.
Outfit example: A bright jacket over jeans and a white tee.
Styling tip: Finish with a metallic belt or leopard-print trainer to tie the look together.
3. Try Block Colour or Monochrome Palettes
If you like simple, minimalist dressing, this is your best friend.
- Block colour = one colour head-to-toe (like a blue dress). Add neutral or metallic accents to balance it out.
- Monochrome palette = different shades of the same colour family. Think navy trousers, mid-blue blouse, and a soft sky-blue accessory.
Effortless, chic, and always flattering!
4. Experiment with Tonal Colour Mixing
Use the Pantone colour chart as your guide. Pair colours that sit next to each other (tonal shades). They naturally share undertones and create harmony.
Outfit example: Denim blue jeans with a green blouse or a blue dress with a green bag or shoe.
5. Play with Colour Clashes
Once you’re confident, experiment with complementary colours (opposites on the wheel). This is where bold style statements come alive.
Outfit example: Blue jeans with a vibrant orange jumper, finished with a gold belt, or for a softer impact, try pastel blue with soft peach.
One of my clients summed up the confidence colour gave her:
“After my colour session with Chantelle, I finally understood why I never wore half my wardrobe. Now I only buy colours that love me back and it’s completely changed how I feel about getting dressed.”
I appreciate putting an outfit together can feel overwhelming, but starting with colour makes it easier, fun, and empowering.
Begin with step one, grow your confidence, and soon you’ll be mixing palettes, clashing shades, and building a wardrobe that feels fun and exciting.
Colour isn’t just about clothes, it’s about how you feel in them.
And trust me, once you find your perfect palette, you’ll never look back.
Want to know what your best colours are? Book your Online Personal Shopper & Stylist session, and let’s unlock the right palette that radiates you!
