Color Combinations to Make Minimal Clothing Go the Extra Mile
Combos to consider when getting dressed for the heat
For most of the year, I start getting dressed by choosing a type of Silhouette, complete with layers and different types of colors and textures. However, with 90-degree temperatures upon us, an outfit has fewer elements, and each holds extra importance. Since the heatwave began—and since by heatwave we basically just mean "summer"—I've been thinking about how to make outfits interesting even when wearing minimal clothing. On the hottest days, you don't need that outer layer, and many accessories add bulk and heat. So, how do you make an outfit interesting?
You play with color!
As the graphic below shows, the choice of color can significantly impact how much heat is absorbed.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fab0a4352-cde2-46e0-81ef-57f9fd35b1dd_2654x2437.jpeg)
I’m starting with the ideal color combination for the hottest days: summer whites. Per my post on Monochrome Dressing, your look can be interesting even with different neutral elements.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe3021ede-1575-451a-9ee5-2f982c342f3f_2654x2437.jpeg)
This can be a very intentional dressing technique. You want to focus on the variation of texture, pattern, and hue (off-white, pure white, sand, etc.) when wearing your neutrals. It gives off a very easy, summery look and keeps you the coolest in terms of heat absorption.
You can also combine white shades with bold colors, emphasizing the Silhouette. The bold color will call attention to that part of the outfit you want to focus on or provide balance. For example, you can balance a voluminous white skirt with a bold-colored tank. I particularly love red and white. Think red mini with a white shirt, white pants with a red top, or a full white skirt with a red tank.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F253d2abe-1489-43f2-b996-da96a14dfc09_3157x2437.jpeg)
On a Therapy Walk this week, I noticed this lone sunflower growing in Central Park and started to think about color combinations that appear in nature as a source of outfit inspiration.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F149c6b5d-74a6-4ffd-a204-241716f42007_767x977.jpeg)
Brown and yellow! It’s pretty neutral, but with a touch of boldness.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdced6a4c-68d7-4203-bed7-c3efaa42679b_2654x2437.jpeg)
Yellow is a great color for heat (or so the graphic says). I also like yellow with green, another combination inspired by the lone sunflower.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1621d6a7-c602-43ff-b683-5677ad3e464b_2654x2437.jpeg)
And on the theme of yellow: I love yellow and red, too. It’s playful! It’s the perfect ketchup + mustard combination and has a bold enough color contrast to make a statement.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F24b0aaba-8f00-49a0-aef2-423290827a94_2654x2437.jpeg)
When coming up with color combinations, it’s also fun to go for contrasting colors, or the colors that fall opposite from each other on the color wheel (it’s the last day of Pride Month after all!).
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F63d44919-d88f-4432-8b32-1ed6258ba9c2_1280x1280.jpeg)
So, orange and blue, red and green, or purple and yellow to name the most obvious combinations.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd9772dcd-3e22-4e09-aa7f-1103bf054119_3157x2437.jpeg)
You can also do analogous color combinations, or colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as pink and red.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca549924-3fd1-49c7-83f6-596780edf4cf_2654x2437.jpeg)
Or different hues of a single color, like purples.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa85903d1-5f8f-4248-a65f-1a9a0f377fd7_2654x2437.jpeg)
A somewhat debatable combination, especially in the summer that I nevertheless love is black and blue. Black is probably the worst color to wear in the heat, but I live in New York and am who I am.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4cd6e851-1c28-413d-8afb-56283c1a4ecd_2654x2437.jpeg)
I wore a strapless mini dress—after I hemmed it to make it more tunic-length—with super lightweight silk pants. I very much like the Cypress Silhouette this combination creates.
Another good color combo using blue is blue and brown. You can use your denim shorts paired with a brown top + maybe a blue necklace/accessories. I like to stick with dark blue + light brown or light blue + dark brown to add extra contrast.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc881fbba-21df-46b5-adc4-fc069964a4c6_2654x2437.jpeg)
Color preference, like style, is personal. So when you dress in the color combinations you enjoy, your outfit will have personality and individuality that’s representative of you! Which is the whole point.
Get the added rainbow sprinkles and have fun.
xo
Eliz