A lot of guys get stuck trying to figure out what to wear with what and can’t figure out how to pair colors together. I’ll give you an easy system to put into place that always ensures your colors pair correctly.

It’s called the Pivot Color Triangle. When you’re putting an outfit together, it will consist of three colors.

1. Any color you want
2. The same color as above, but a different value (lightness or darkness) of the color
3. A neutral


Let’s flesh it out.

1. The first color can be anything you’d like, but preferably a color that looks good on you. If you don’t know what colors look good on you, you can figure that out through a process called Color Analysis, which is something I do for clients in the Virtual and In-Person Consultation programs we do. This allows you to see what you should be wearing and what you shouldn’t be.

In this example today, we’re using blue, but again, this can be any other color. This is the base we’re starting with. It doesn’t matter what the item is - It can be a top, bottom, layering item, pair of shoes, etc.

2. The second color will be the same as the first, but you’re going to change its value - how light or dark the color is (beginner stylists take note - if you’re using the term "shade" to refer to this, you’re using that term incorrectly).

The idea here is that a color cannot clash with itself.

What goes best with blue?

Blue.

It’s impossible for it not to pair. The definition of this is Monochromatic - meaning only one color.

Yours truly can be seen below using this tactic below.

3. Then, finally, the third color in the mix will be a neutral.

The definition of Neutral: Not helping or supporting either side in a conflict.

A neutral is anything that is NOT found on the color wheel. So, in a sense, neutrals are actually not colors.

Anything black, white, or gray is neutral. The only other neutral is brown, which is a composite color, mixing all the primary colors together.

Neutral colors don’t clash with other colors because they have no skin in the game. They don’t take sides. The color can’t clash because they’re not actually colors. Using neutrals ensures everything pairs nicely. If you ever don’t know what to pair a color with, choose a neutral.

Pick one of the above and use it. To keep it simple, when you first start, choose black, white, or gray. These neutral colors are considered achromatic - meaning "without color". These work well here since they’re not actually colors, they have no impact on the ones that are.

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And that’s it; you’re done.

One color.
The same color in a different value.
One neutral.

Try playing around with this in different ways, mixing up your tops, bottoms, shoes, jackets, accessories, etc. in any different order you wish, but sticking to the triangle. You’ll never worry about pairing again.

This is just one of several ways to create stylish outfits that pair together. To learn what works best for you, along with how to dress your body shape, how to find clothes that fit, and how to construct a stylish wardrobe based on your preferences and budget, have a look at this.

Hope that helps.

x Patrick