Color-wheel : fool-proof way to perfectly match the colors in your outfits.

Wearing color is not easy. Maybe that's why so many of us opt to wear black or monotones, as they are the easiest to simply put on and be ready to go. But if you are itching to induce color to your outfits, fret not! There is a simple and fool-proof way to mix and match the colors in your outfit!

Behold - the wheel of colors!

The color-wheel is actually used by artists and designers for choosing the perfect color mixes for their work, as they have noticed a long time ago, that following certain rules in mixing colors gives very good results. So what works best?


- Colors next to each other - putting together colors that are similar in color, but not in the same tone will create a smooth, harmonious effect. Perfect for every day outfits, but saves you fromm looking boring.

- Colors that form a 90 degree angle – to find them pick your main color, and skip 2 “arms of the wheel” to left or right to find the matching one. This is a perfect way to find a color for your accessories and give them the "pop" effect. In example, wearing a baby-blue sweater? Match it with a yellow scarf or add chunky yellow bangles.

- "Opposite" a.k.a. contrasting colors - pick a color and match it with the opposing color from the wheel. This creates a dramatic effect, so better keep it just for special occasions.

- 3 colors that form a “T” -  look for two colors that form a line on the color wheel - in example orange and blue. If you just go with those two colors, the combination might be too harsh, so balance it off with another color. To find the perfect one, look for the "middle" color, in this case it will be violet red or yellow-green.

- Colors that form a “X” shape on the wheel - reserved only for the super daring fashionistas :)

I hope this little article will help you create beautiful colorful outfits - especially now in the spring season, where creations full of bold colors are so "in" :) Have fun! :)

Fashion Sugar blogging friends!

It's always great joy for me to see Fashion Sugar widget on blogs! Here are two blogs of lovely laddies that added their fashion avatar to their blogs:


http://aiuminoz.blogspot.com/
http://sukasukaeria.blogspot.com/
http://thediaryofatypicalfashionista.blogspot.com/
http://iamtapioca.pixnet.net/blog
http://cintaiyana.blogspot.com/

Be sure to add one to your blog as well and start showing off your creative fashion powers :D

Cheers!

Style Inspiration: Onee Gyaru (Japanese Fashionista)

Gal or Gyaru is a generic term to describe young women interested in fashion and style who live in Japan. There are many types of Gyarus - ranging from those who wear cute school girl uniforms, to those who tan excessively and wear outrageous clothing. There are also the more avangarde types, like those who take inspiration from an 18th century doll look, or who decorate themselves with plushies and tutus to channel the fairy look.

My favorite is Onee Gyaru - what literally means a "Fashionable Sister", and it's the style preferred by the plus 20 y.o. women of Japan. Their style is very eclectic, but sophisticated, bold and with a touch of femininity. Check out the magazine scans below to get an idea about the Onee Gyaru style:

The Onee Gyaru is all about being fashionable, bold and with a touch of femininity. Body-hugging or completely lose cuts are preferred, and the color palette stays within neutrals and muted prime colors. Expect a lot of khakis, browns, white, neutral navy, but also soft pinks and burgundy colors.

The silhouette focuses on creating the illusion of long legs, and generally a long body. Expect a lot of sky-high heals, shorts and empire-waist dresses.

So what are the key pieces, if you want to start creating your own spin on the Onee Gyaru look?
- Empire waist dresses - keep them frilly, girly and of light fabric
- Shorts - ripped jeans shorts, classy shorts, dressy shorts...
- Sky-high heeled boots and strap-sandals
- Interesting jackets and blazers - military style details will work great for this
- Socks and over the knee socks - wearing those shorts all year long requires some additional cotton socks to keep the legs warm.
- Cute accessories like fuzzy ear muffs, colorful shawls and charm bracelets.


Fashion Sugar Onee Gyaru closet Inspiration Board:

Stay tunned for more posts on how to create Onee Guaru Makeup and Hair styles! :)

What do you think about this style?

The golden rule of "3" - easiest way to always know what to wear!

We all have those moments - standing in front of our packed-full closet, and feeling like we have nothing to wear. And as we start to put on outfit after outfit, something is always wrong - too dressy, too boring, too extravagant...

But there is a way to avoid outfit woes - and damn! I wish someone told me about this simple outfit combining technique earlier, and saved me so much time and stress when piecing together my outfits!

So what is that magical technique? Well, it's basically following a mantra, that a good outfit, just like a good dish, needs a certain balance of ingredients in right proportions. Just as a good pie has to be sweet, tart and crunchy, a good outfit should have good basics, chic items and accent pieces.

Basic items are the foundation of the outfit - those are the items that are usually in one color, not to tight, and not too lose. Think of straight cut jeans that gently follow the shape of the body, a perfect white T-shirt, simple blazer, or a pair of classy black flats.





Chic items are more bold and elaborate - by adding them you induce style and elegance to your ensemble. Good example would be a well fitted blazer, skinny dark pants or sky-high heels.

Accent items are the "cherry on top" of every outfit. You can identify them by bold prints, extravagant cuts or elaborate accessories (beads, fringe, lace in abundance). They tend to be either very form-fitting, or way too lose. Think of: tutu skirts, over-the-knee boots, statement necklaces, etc. Now that you know what is what, simply combine the outfits using this formula:

At least one basic item + at least one chic item + not more and not less that one accent item = perfect outfit! 

If you stick only to basic pieces, your outfits will look boring, overdo on the chic, and you might end up looking way to dressy (keep that for special occasions); and too much accent items, and you are on one way street to looking like a hot mess. So mix, match and balance!

Do check out the "Challenges" section of Fashion Sugar, to test your skills in finding the right mix! :)

Welcome to Fashion Sugar!

Every story has its beginning. And so this first entry welcomes you to Fashion Sugar Blog, dedicated to fashion and style, and most importantly a Facebook game called "Fashion Sugar"!

My name is Barbara, and I am the designer/creator behind Fashion Sugar game. I have always loved paper dolls, and having fun with fashion as a concept, and for years I have been searching for ways to upgrade that passion to a digital level. It finally happened few months ago, when with a help of a wonderful person, who generously coded the game, we have launched Fashion Sugar - a digital version of the paper-doll concept.

But my motivation for the game runs deeper than just recreating the mechanics of paper-dolls, as I wanted to create something that would allow women of all ages and all paths of life to have fun and be inspired by style.

Hope you will stay on this journey with me! :D