HOW TO STYLE MULTI-COLORED ITEMS
We’ve all been there. Standing in a store, holding a multicolored piece in our hands, genuinely impressed - and immediately overwhelmed. It looks great. No question. The only problem: how on earth are you supposed to style it with what’s already hanging in your wardrobe?
That exact moment is why multicolored pieces so often end up back on the rack. Not because they’re too bold or too fashion-forward, but because they feel complicated. In reality, they’re not - if you approach them the right way. Here’s a practical guide to styling multicolored fashion pieces without overthinking it.
The first rule is simple: make the multicolored item the centerpiece. These pieces naturally draw attention, so everything around them should calm the look down, not compete with it. That means no additional patterns and no distracting materials. Shiny leather, faux fur or high-gloss fabrics quickly turn the outfit into visual noise. Let the multicolored piece speak - it already does enough. The safest and most effective approach is to not introduce any new colors at all. Every other item in your outfit should pull a shade directly from the multicolored piece. If a shirt includes blue, yellow and beige, then a blue cap, a yellow coat and beige trousers will automatically feel coherent. The same logic applies to multicolored knitwear: each surrounding piece simply echoes one of the existing tones. It’s a formula that rarely fails and works across styles, from casual to tailored.
Inspiration also plays a bigger role than most people like to admit - and that’s perfectly fine. Watching how others handle color can unlock combinations you’d never consider on your own. You don’t need to copy an outfit one-to-one, but studying how stripes, prints or unexpected color pairings are balanced can sharpen your own instincts over time. If jumping straight into a bold multicolored garment feels like too much, start small. Accessories are an ideal entry point. A multicolored tie, for example, can easily become the focal point of an otherwise quiet outfit. Build everything else around the colors in the tie and you’re done. If even that feels ambitious, multicolored bags work beautifully with monochromatic outfits - they add interest without demanding commitment.
There’s also the neutral route, which is often underrated. Beige tones and blue denim are natural allies for multicolored pieces. Dark, raw denim grounds earthy or muted color palettes, while light blue denim complements brighter, more playful tones. Neutrals don’t dilute the look - they give it space.
And then there’s the advanced level. Yes, rules can be broken. Patterns can be mixed, colors can clash - but only when intuition takes over. These outfits aren’t built on formulas but on confidence and a trained eye. If you’re looking for inspiration in that direction, studying the collections of Dries Van Noten is a masterclass in controlled chaos. His work proves that surprising combinations can feel effortless when they’re done with intention. Multicolored pieces aren’t difficult. They just demand clarity. Decide what leads the outfit, stay disciplined with your colors, and everything else falls into place.