There are three characteristics in the color wheel we need to understand before proceeding to discuss about color coordination in mens fashion.

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1. Hue
   This is the actual color. Base on the color wheel, we are able to see about twelve hues. From top clockwise: Red, Red-Violet, Violet, Blue-Violet, Blue, Blue-Green, Green, Yellow-Green, Yellow, Yellow-Orange, Orange, Red-Orange

2. Lightness
   This represents the shade of the color. It constitutes the amount of black and white added to the particular hue. Example, pink is the shade of red due to the result of more white. And Crimson is a darker shade of red due to more black.

3. Saturation
   This is the vividness or intensity of the color. Red is more saturated than Russet even though they are from the same hue and shade.

4. Similar Colors
   These are colors adjacent to each other. Examples are Red and Red-Orange, Yellow-Green and Yellow.
   
   Or colors with one color in-between in the color wheel. Examples are Blue and Green, Red and Orange.

5. Contrasting Colors
   This is when there are three colors between them on the color wheel. Examples are like Red and Blue, Orange and Violet, Blue and Yellow

6. Complementary Colors
   When colors are opposite each other in the color wheel, it is considered complementary. Examples are Red and Green, Yellow and Violet

• Light colors involves basic hues with white.

• Dull colors involves hues with gray.

• Vivid colors are the basic hues.

• Dark colors are involving basic hues with black

• Achromatic colors are shades of blacks and grays

Light Colors

Dull Colors

Vivid Colors

Dark Colors

Achromatic Colors

Color Coordination base on same hue:
These are colors of the same hue but of different shades and vividness. So base on the color wheel they are from the same position, and same column on the color chart.

Simple Concept About Coordinating Colors of Same Hue

Color coordination base on similar hues:
As explained above, they are color adjacent to each other in the color wheel or adjacent columns in the color chart. They have common characteristics in color and yet lot of nice strain between these colors can be felt.

The Art of Color Coordination for Similar Hues

Color coordination base on contrasting hues:
Do not assume the word contrasting means non-matching. Actually these are colors with three colors in-between and their blend can still do quite well.

The concept lies in using varying shades instead of focusing on the same hue or same level of saturation.

Guide to Creating Color Harmony with Contrasting Hues

Color coordination base on complementary hues:
These colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. The coordination of these colors require more art and testing out to get the best color combo. It seems that the concept of coordination is not uniform for all.

Explore How to Coordinate Colors of Complementary Hues

Color Coordination with Achromatic Hues:
Two colors matching against black, gray, or white can never go wrong. We usually get a harmonious effect from these combinations. However, we have to understand that certain colors works better with certain shades of these achromatic hues over other shades.

Check Out Which Colors Works with Which Shades of Achromatic Hues

So these color coordination are base on theory and practice makes perfect. So play around with the colors and refer to these theories to better understand how color coordination works.

Happy coordinating!!!!

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