How To Colourblock In Spring With Very UK

She could taste spring on the horizon. Creeping warm and green, in the lightness of the springtime sun. Singing sweet melodies as the grass grew long, the first smatterings of daffidols. Vibrant yellow blooms, as sugary as frosting. She heard the familuar buzz, the plump bumblebees engorged with nectar, dozing peacefully. Though the wind blew clouds over the sky, the bee remained content. Coaxed into sleepy oblivion, a dreamlike state. The mountains loomed, and the valleys beckoned, cradled in Mother Nature. The sun still high in the sky, illuminating her in a golden light. Her, who came bequeathed in her finery. A lurid orange midi dress, with puffed ruched sleeves. Emblazoned with green leaves, a faded orange headband on her head. Almost neon-orange knee high boots layered underneath, with purposeful strides. At last, she had found it. The revered secrets of nature, a tale as old as time. The wise ones who could cradle her hand in their mottled wizened palms. Garishly colourful, loud, and in your face, her interest was piqued immediately. She too could learn to colourblock in spring. Conjuring three distinct looks to celebrate the start of spring.

They gave her a theme. Three bold spring hues, that would breathe life into her wardrobe. Two prints, and one block colour, that would make her stand out. But who were these wise ones, she heard her readers ask? Why only, Very UK, whose range of women’s dresses, trousers, jumpers, and shoes, were gloriously vibrant. They took her into their surreal world, with spring fashion essentials that elevated her wardrobe. Wearable yet maximalist, easy to style, but always elevated. Three outfits that could be dressed up or down. Looks that transcended seasons, for effortless styling. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter too, snow, rain, sun, and gray.

She gazed at the setting sun, eclipsing into a sea of violet, red, and orange. The dying day fading, valleys washed in 70’s sepia tones. Like a filter, the white fluffy clouds, replaced by firery hues. The wise ones had left, but not before they had imparted their knowledge upon her. She didn’t write it down. She let her brain take it in, informing her decision. And so, the looks inspired by nature had come into fruition. The floral one, with a spring twist, leaning into layering. Red, the primary colour, contrasting against the florals. Textures, and patterns mixed, no rules heeded. Just the freedom of experimentation, as the evening turned into night. Yet even in darkness, spring was still here. High up in the mountains, she smiled wistfully. The second, the tangerine dream, a splash of green. Striding through drying grass that had lost its lustorous shine. Illuminated in the candlelight that the elders light, the smell of orange pound cake baking. Her nose twitched, sniffing out the scent. Comforting, gratifying, homely.

Then there was the game changer. The monochromatic hero. Slathering fuschia, ceramic, and dusty pink onto her body, a cross between Barbie and a fading sunset. Her mouth pulled into an easy grin, smiling at the thought. Barbie meets nature, that was a new one. She was often seen as a part-time mermaid, and a unicorn at weekends with a splash of Frida Kahlo. But, part-time Nature Barbie? She could get used to that. After all, the elders had told her, there were no rules but one. Have fun with it. Look to nature as a base for colourblocking maximalist looks, that screamed joy. Because to A, that is exactly what colourblocking in spring was all about. Looks that radiated joy, while telling a story. That told the world, exactly what she liked to present. Someone who came alive in colour. Whose colourblocking rarely teetered in the land of neutrals. Instead, it was vibrant, and evervescent. A descent into a rainbow land, where colours danced in the sky’s cotillion.

Colourblock With Monochromatic Hues For Effortless Styling

She was always the ‘matchy matchy’ one. Who painstakingly matched each element of her outfit, without fail. Who rarely mixed prints, and patterns, but always created contrasting looks. Reds with pinks. Blues with yellows. Greens with blues. Someone who ever since she could afford her own clothes, curated colourful outfits. She was always colourful from the start. But now? She was a fashion clown, who took bold risks with colour, who wasn’t afraid of standing out. She remembered a couple of years ago, her last fashion week. A sea of floral prints, polka dots, unicorn crowns, and ‘Princess Dresses’. Yet there were the colourblock suits too. But it was only recently that she had truly come into her own. After all, colourblocking in spring usually meant soft pastels, like lilac, mint green, and sunny yellow. But she was an exception to the rule. Primary colours, bold and assertive. Colours that both took inspiration from nature, but also her personality.

It was there, that she discovered the pure joy of monochromatic dressing. The same colours, in varying hues layered over and again. Curating looks that seemed like they had taken hours to put together. The reality being thrown on. A nostalgic combination of nature, Barbie, retro and animals, rolled into the one. The fuzzy fuschia pink beret and the Raspberry River Island clutch. The thick millenial pink cable knit jumper, with a slimline baby pink duster. The cherry on top? The magenta high-waist trousers, in a wide leg. Flanked by rose quartz block heeled mules, even the makeup was monochromatic. Creamy magenta lipstick and cerise eyeshadow, a hint of sparkle. Baker Miller pink blush, with bubblegum highlight. Pink, was undoutably one of her favourite shades for colourblocking in spring. Why? Because it was playful, and synonmous with love. Romantic, cute, and sweet. At least the lighter shades were. The bolder hues were sensual, sexy, almost rebellious.

Her monochromatic look left food for thought. Caught in the beginning of spring, where the air was still cool. Hence the knitted vegan jumper, with thick yarn, and the even thicker beret. Yet, she wanted to feel the balminess on her skin. Her feet encased in spring-summer mules, spotlighted in Barbie pink nail polish. The magenta wide-legged trousers, tailored yet not too thick. The wind whipping them into voluminous billowing shapes. She had forgone the coat, her jumper keeping her warm, a rosy flush spreading across her cheeks. This was Fashion Barbie goes to East London. Colourful, a look that would work just as well for work, as it would for going out. Quirky, yet minimalist. Not minimalist in the traditional sense. But minimalist because the colours were all the same. Learning how to pair similar colours together, without looking like she was blending in.

Discovering how to colourblock in spring had never been so fun. Drawing inspiration from some of her favourite things. The hot hues, magenta, Barbie, and raspberry, taken from unlikely heroes. Magenta, the hue that Science told us didn’t exist. The colour that had no wavelength, a mix between purple and red. After all, the only reason she would see it at all, was because of her brain. The mind who didn’t like having green (magenta’s complement) between purple and red. Substituting a new colour to fill in the gaps. The Barbie-esque outfit paid homage to this ‘shouldn’t be seen’ colour, in breathtaking devotion. Yet, there were colours modelled on things that did exist. The raspberry pink wrapped frame clutch, with a splash of hot pink, a take on all things sweet and nice. Raspberries and bubblegum. Fizzy pink laces, like the ones you had at the tuck shop. And who could forget the dusky-pink, and baby pink hues. Modelled on an antique birthday cake, laced with candied cherry blossoms. Multiple pink layers, frothy, and creamy.

Experiment With Prints When Colourblocking

There were monochromatic oranges, almost blending into the mural background. In the look she liked to call ‘the tangerine dream’, drawn to its energetic aura. She modelled it off a recent LFW look, halfway between red and yellow. But this one was softer. A peach-orange minimalist headband, in dark plaited hair. Messy tendrils escaping with glee, cascading across her face. Sunset makeup, orangeish red-fading into sparkling yellow, a bright red lip. Dark rose blush, with orange irridescent shimmer. A midi dress in a shade between rust and deep carrot, emblazoned in sheen green leaves, and saffron-esque blooms. Tassel earrings in tumeric orange-yellow, twisting in the wind. It was a look that encaspulated rule 101 of how to colourblock in spring. Experimenting with prints, whether it was one or more. A focal point of your outfit. Matching prints, or mixing patterns.

She wore a sustainable monochromatic midi dress from Monsoon (via Very UK). She shimmied, imagining herself in the tropics. Heat pressing into her skin, sultry sunshine coating her in glossy shine. Sinking her teeth into Papaya, watching the juice dribble down her chin. Sticky-sweet. Rinsing off its dribbling nectar in the shimmering blue lagoon, rippling waves lapping over her. The vibrant Pippa dress clinging to her body, her hair matted in tangled waves. The cold wind burst a bubble in her reverie, remembering where she was. In Shoreditch walking past vibrant street walls, one stood out to her. Nestled in a small car park, a tangle of weeds and stones. The one that had her craving Papaya with its similar hues. Graffiti balloon letters with pumpkin, pineapple yellow, off-red and lilac. She kept it simple, given the busy-aesthetic of the wall. One focal print, on a cotton dress, floral, meets plants. Yellow flower buds, not even opened, petals hidden. Leaves and stems in varying shades of green, trailing pink blooms adorned across.

There were times where she would have a fully ‘printed’ look, a maximalist way to colourblock in spring. But this was not one of those times. The yellow and pink florals layered over a deep orange midi. A flouncy skirt, that the wind gave plenty of volume. A fitted shirred bodice that felt oh so elegant. Finished with puff sleeves, and a square neckline for a feminine edge. Made using fabrics that were kind to the planet, with a reduced environmental impact. Like the elders told her, there was so much fun to be had in paying homage to nature. And boy, did her look resonate. The peach orange headband inspired by its namesake. The tumeric meets pineapple earrings. For experimenting with prints, meant playing with colour. Working with colours that complimented the print, without drawing attention away. Like the patent 70’s knee high boots in pumpkin orange. The rusty reddish orange teddy bear coat, that was oh so cozy and warm. A feminine dress given that spring edge. Layering, joyful colour boosts and simple accessories to accentuate the print.

The elders would be so proud of A. Who learned to colourblock in spring, using her favourite print. The florals, a symbol of ageless beauty and grace. Whimsical, playful, yet understated. Instantly versatile, a print that stood the sands of time. A dress that could be worn all year round. In summer, orange mules with glittery nail polish on wiggling toes. A large straw hat, and cat eye sunglasses, protecting her from the sun rays. A matching straw bag, with motifs of oranges, the rays glistening on her tanned back. In winter, the boots were back, similar to what she was wearing now. Replacing the headband with a pumpkin beret, and a faux fur orange coat. A large Donald Duck orange tote bag for whimsicality, and a rust red-thermal-shirt underneath. When it came to the art of colourblock in spring, A was no wallflower.

Contrast Two Different Colours

Here was another floral print, that made her yearn for summer days. A watercolour painting on vicoise. Vibrant blue petals merging into abstract red flowers. A splash of reddish pink, and fading teal blotches. Printed onto a white base, shell-like buttons cascading down the floaty dress. A wavy lettuce hem, and strappy top detail. The perfect dress, to show how to colourblock in spring. Showing how contrasting (at least) two colours, were easy as can be. She had her standard colour combos, the ones she was most associated with. Red and pink, in bright, bold hues, and soft pastels. A colour combo that never went out of style. It reminded her of an everyday Valentine. Sweet, loving, devoted. Yet, she challenged herself to look beyond. To use the floral print as an accent, drawing upon its red hue.

While there were times where she ‘block-contrast’ colours, here it was one ‘block colour’ and a vivid watercolour print. The end result? Magical. The soft dress, nipped in at the waist with a red vegan leather belt. A glittery deep red Snow White bag underneath her arm glinting in the golden hour. This outfit was a love letter to three things: the transcendence of spring, Snow White (minus the yellow), and flower gardens. An abundance of nature, meets fantasy, meets seasonality, in one monochromatic look. She put her hand in the air, as though she was waving at an imaginary friend, her face lit up with laughter. Deep red lips in the shade ‘spicy’, and her signature sunset eye, a coveted red flower crown in her hair. Red tassel earrings, a signature of hers, patent red court shoes. It seemed like she was contrasting one colour because of the print. Yet in reality, she was using red to highlight the blue, pink, and white of the floor-length dress.

She drifted down an unseasonally quiet Shoreditch road, just yards away from the orange wall she coveted earlier. Her smile widening even further, illustrated with a nostalgic favourite. The Ice King from Adventure Time, hands outstretched in a comedic snarl. Blue and white with a yellow crown, red wonky rubies embedded. Juxtaposed against a red and blue colour, with accents of white and orange. It matched so perfectly with her dress, that she could almost cry. The dress was versatile that much was a given. Had she known the Adventure Time mural was there, there would be another ‘two colour’ contrast that she would envision. A blue vegan suede biker jacket, and a pale blue flower crown. Blue court heels, and a small vegan suede cobalt blue handbag. Long, tassel earrings, in bright electric blue. She would be daring with her makeup too. Her new 3INA lipstick in the shade 845, a cross between cornflower and turquoise. A swab of pink, with icy white highlight on her cheekbones, an arrow to the windows above. Hooded eyes swathed in pale blue sky shade, with shimmering glitter. Blended with accents of Mayan blue.

The beauty of all three spring-time looks were how versatile they were. The floral blue, red, and white number was no exception. Easily worn anywhere. A date night outfit with a red statement necklace nestling in cleavage. Those infamous red tassel earrings. Red heeled sandals, with a chunky block heel. A patent red bucket bag, that held a series of secrets. A green teddy-bear style makeup bag inside, like an Inception storyline. Encasing foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, and highlight too. A beauty blender, and some moisturiser. Her beloved lip balm for cracked lips. Then, there were promises of warmer climes. Walking across the beach in Greece, feeling the sand between her toes. Freshly painted, in Scarlett Red, matching her fingernails. Bare skin, sun-kissed, gleaming with SPF, and coconut oil. Glimmering in the mirage of the afternoon sun.

Mix Textures When Colourblocking

She remembered the first outfit that she brought, with her own money. Back when she was 15, a look that nodded to the trends of the noughties. A baby doll dress, with a denim bustier top, the dress a flouncy swishy pink. Straightening her curly hair, into a sleek mid-length bob, black flats on her tanned feet. She loved the dress, even years down the line. Picturing how she would style it now, how she would be more colourful, and inventive with her looks. Though she shuddered at some of the looks she had when she was younger, at the time she was praised. Someone who often thrifted, and brought from charity shops. Who would turn dresses, and tops into skirts. She was wildly inventive, not much had changed there. She had just grown more daring and bold, the older she got. But she was always colourful, deep inside. There was a memory of her first Freshers party at uni, a UV rave. Dotting orange neon paint on her face, her curly hair tied back. A purple racer back vest, with a teal green bandage skirt, a chunky garish orange necklace layered. Even then, she knew how to make an entrance.

She still knew how to colourblock in spring all these years later. And she most definitely knew to mix textures with colours. The Tangerine Dream, awash with texture. A cotton printed midi dress, and patent vegan leather boots, smooth on her skin. Stringy tassels that swayed in the wind, attached to a metal fastner. Slipped into dainty ears. Hand-stitched orange fabric on a wooden headband. Slipping into a rust-orange teddy bear coat, with silky vegan satin lining. Wind whipped hands burrowed in thick pockets. The Monochromatic Hero, with every texture going. Not a print in sight, a sea of pink colours. A fluffy cable knit jumper. Vegan-friendly, with the feeling of wool, tickling her skin. The polyester high-waisted trousers, and the cotton longline duster. The felt fuschia beret, that she found on Etsy. The wrapped frame bag in scuba fabric. A chain handle, lurking within. Vegan leather mules, the cherry on top of the texture colour block sundae.

The third, the Floral One. A vicoise midi dress, with shell-like buttons. The ribbed turtleneck a blend of polyester, and nylon, layered underneath. Vegan leather deep red court heels, with a vegan canvas bag, dusted in glitter, and paints. There was no hard and fast rules. It was all about experimentation. She could already envision the other textured variations. The dusty pink cable knit jumper, tucked into stonewashed pink denim jeans. A light pink faux fur jacket, with a baby pink beret. Pink embroidered vegan suede boots, with a glittery heel. The magenta pink high waisted in polyester trousers, with a matching blazer, a lime green satin shirt peeking out. Lime green patent croc-effect boots, and a fluffy lime green coat. The pink block heeled vegan leather mules with a heart-print cotton halterneck mini dress. A look that was verging on the precipice of summer, rather than spring.

The tangerine vision, with green gladiator sandals, a small green purse, woven with flowers. A green, and orange flower crown, handmade with faux petals. Orange twist earrings made from recycled materials, green and orange sunglasses perched on her nose. The last, a vintage Ana look. The blue and red floral vicoise dress, uncinched and freeing. Electric blue foam flatforms, with manicured feet. A teal blue printed tote bag, with a whimsical slogan, filled with all her favourite travel essentials. A cornflower blue embellished headband, and matching wooden earrings. All three looks, that played with textures, while showing how to colourblock in spring. She wouldn’t have it any other way. Looks that were whimsical, playful, and vibrant.

Choose Colours That Compliment Your Skin Tone

Last but not least. Her colourblocking rule 101. Choosing colours that complimented her skin tone, that accentuated her olive skin. Bright and light colours made her skin pop, with its warm undertones. Oranges, reds, and golden yellows. Warm greens, blues, moss green and magenta too. Creamy whites, purple and chocolate brown. Stylists would say that she should avoid colder blues, soft greens and garish yellows, but she didn’t pay them any heed. As far as she was concerned, she would wear what colours she liked. Paying attention to the hues that accentuated her dark curly hair. She could see that in the outfits she had chosen. The magenta pink, highlighting her tan, with a tinge of pink, flushed across her cheeks. The floral dress, and red accents adding warmth to her sallow skin. The orange, that made her look like she was glowing, in the spring sun.

Without makeup, her skin was tanned, with red undertones. A flush on her cheeks, a symptom of a skin condition, growing deeper scarlet in the heat. Even with the red undertones, her colour selection was still extensive. Deep blues, and tranquil teals. Soft lavenders, and delicate rose colours. The latter, one of the her most used ‘colour selections’ when she was going makeup-free. She could picture the looks, one casual, one dressed up. The cable jumper, and baby pink mules as a base. The dusky pink jumper, over a tweed pink and white skirt, pink mules, and a matching rose pink clutch. A Blair Waldorf esque velvet headband, and dangling rose gold earrings. Pinks that made her shine, and glow. Hues that brought out the warmness of her olive complexion. The second, the dressed down version. The cable knit jumper, tucked into mom jeans, a pair of pink Converses on her feet. A pink pearl beret, and a love heart pink tote, for a casual walk down to the shop. Mind you. Her version of casual was someone else’s version of dressed up.

As she had both warm, and red undertones, she could wear pretty much any colour without looking washed out. Her version of a colourblock in spring moment was to wear all the colours of the rainbow. Scrolling through Very UK, for the last time. She curated her next outfits. Her must-have spring essentials that complimented her skin tones. A warm green swing smock dress, with a trumpet hem. A teal blue dog print nightshirt, in heavenly satin. A lilac oversized denim jacket, and matching denim trousers, with a purple bucket hat. There was one more that tickled her fancy. Perhaps the greatest of all. A tiered bardot maxi dress with an abstract swirling print. Shades of rust, peach, tangerine, and cerise. She heard the call, from deep within the mountains. She was transported once more. The elders slowly clapping, letting out a pleased whistle. She had done it. She had passed the test. Learning how to colourblock in spring? She had passed it with flying colours and then some. The sky swallowed up the sunset, into the hazy dreaminess of night. Feeling her way through the darkness, until at last, as if by magic, she was home at last. Tucked up in her bed, in February, dreaming of a springtime day. Slowly, blissfully, slipping into sleep.

Do You Know How To Colourblock In Spring? 

*Disclaimer 

Please note, this is a sponsored post, but all thoughts are my own, and are not affected by monetary compensation. I was gifted products plus paid in compensation for this blog post.

 

P.S here are added bonus tips on how to colour block in Spring. 

• Layer at least two seperates to colour block. For example, a dress works well with a jacket. Trousers plus a top in a matching colour works well too. For example you could have a bright pink top, with matching pink shoes.
• Tap into transitional fashion and accessories. My choice of accessories often depends on what season I am in. So I like accessories, and fashion that I can colourblock all year round. This might be a pair of red heels, with a matching bag. Or a purple hat, with purple shoes. You get the drift.
• Look to Pantone for fashion inspiration. If you are stuck on what to wear, and find colour-blocking difficult, Pantone has some amazing ideas. For example, I was obsessed with pairing the shades Rose Quartz (pink), and Serenity (blue) for the longest time.