Gray is combined with both muted tones and rich variegated prints. It fits easily into any style. With the right ensemble of clothes, gray does not look gloomy and draws attention to itself.
The meaning of gray in clothing. Image psychology
Gray is used mainly in business style sets. It is associated with strictness and restraint, and therefore looks appropriate in most situations.
In the image, gray can be interpreted in different ways. It is often chosen by people who do not know how to combine colors and choose the simplest option. Also, dark tones are preferred by people who subconsciously want to remain invisible to others.
Grays, blacks and browns are used by marketers to create styling for high-end brands. For example, manufacturers of auto or leather goods. Consumers associate these colors with luxury and power.
The thin line between elegant style and tastelessness lies in the choice of fabric texture and clothing cut. Shapeless clothing made of thin, low-quality fabric betrays a person who is not confident in himself and is afraid of someone else's attention.
Things are different if the garment fits the figure and has intricate decorative elements. For example, a jacket with pointed shoulders or trousers with darts and patch pockets. Gray clothes of complex cut are preferred by courageous people with a strong character.
Gray color in clothes is always present where strictness and strength are needed.
For example, a gym, office, municipal offices, the army. Bright colors and colorful prints make it difficult to concentrate, while gray, on the contrary, adjusts to decision-making. The perception of color is easy to change by choosing the right color combination.
Who is suitable for gray in appearance color type?
The most common system of appearance typology is the theory of color types. Traditionally, "winter", "spring", "summer" and "autumn" are distinguished. They differ in a set of characteristics: brightness, contrast, warm / cold tint.
The following traits are evaluated:
- Color of the skin.
- Skin tone (olive, pink, gold, gray, and others).
- Hair color.
- Eye color.
- Lip color and blush.
A poorly chosen shade of gray can visually ruin the complexion and make it painful.
Gray color has hundreds of shades that differ in tone depth (from light to dark), as well as in subtone (yellow, green, blue). Any girl can choose a harmonious gray option. When choosing a suitable shade, the general rule applies: for a "warm" appearance, you should choose options with a yellow undertone. For "cold" - with blue.
Winter
The "winter" girl has a cold contrasting appearance. For example, porcelain skin, brown eyes, and brown / black hair.Shades of gray should be chosen from the cool spectrum, with a blue undertone.
Options:
- Carbonic.
- Silver.
- Smoky.
- Classic gray.
- "Marengo".
Both dark and light shades are suitable. Warm tones of gray will visually give the snow-white skin a greenish tint and accentuate the blue veins.
Spring
Gentle "spring" is the exact opposite of "winter". The color type is characterized by blue, gray or green eyes, light hair with a warm undertone, peach or golden skin. It is worth giving preference to a light shade of gray with a yellow or green undertone. Cold tones of gray will unfavorably emphasize the redness of golden skin.
Summer
"Summer" is freshness and coolness. Like "winter", this is a cold color type, but with low contrast. It includes girls with light, pinkish skin, light or light brown hair with an ashen tint, blue and gray eyes.
Deep dark shades of gray are not suitable for the color type. The best choice is light colors with a blue tint. For example, silver, smoky, light gray, "French gray".
Fall
The color type assumes tanned golden skin, green, or light brown eyes. Hair - light brown with a golden tint, warm brown, copper, red. "Autumn" suits warm shades of gray with a yellow undertone. Mostly light, but "quartz" color is also suitable.
The table below contains a cheat sheet that will help you quickly determine the color type of your appearance:
| Eye color | Hair color | Color of the skin | |
| Winter | Brown, blue. | Black, chestnut | Light porcelain, dark with a cold undertone. |
| Spring | Blue, green, gray. | Light blond, golden blond, wheaten, golden blond. | Golden, peach. |
| Summer | Blue, gray | Ash blond, neutral blond, light blond ash, light blond ash. | Light, pinkish. |
| Fall | Light brown, green | Copper, red, golden light brown, warm chestnut | Light or tanned golden. Often with freckles. |
Stylists advise choosing the right color using multi-colored scarves.
It is also convenient to use paper layouts. For example, color palettes. Several shades of the same color are alternately applied to the face. Those that visually give it an unhealthy look (red, green, yellow, gray tint) are not suitable for the color type.
Basic popular shades of gray
Gray color is combined with most of the existing shades, and therefore is always appropriate in the wardrobe. Gray, along with black, white and beige, belongs to the basic colors. But unlike strict black, it visually does not add age and does not dull the complexion.
On the contrary, choosing the right black and white shade can make the skin tone more radiant and fresh. On a scale from black to white, a person is able to distinguish 30 shades of gray, and computer technology - 256. If you include shades with yellow, green and blue tones, then they can be counted in hundreds.
Wet asphalt
A shade known to everyone. It is used in the design of cars, electronics, cosmetics, and interior design. It is a cool dark gray tone with a fine sheen. Also, the shade of "wet asphalt" can be found in the design of evening dresses, shoes, bijouterie and haberdashery.
Classic gray
The classic gray is of medium depth and has no warm or cold undertone. Most often this color can be found in knitted, knitted and denim clothing.
Its advantage is that it suits all color types. Due to its neutral position on the color wheel, it does not accentuate redness or earthy skin tones.
Light gray
Like white, light gray refreshes the look and looks appropriate even in hot summer. In this color, you can often find men's and women's business suits, coats and light evening dresses.
Taup
Taupe is a medium-depth gray-beige color. With the emergence of a trend for minimalistic clothing and "nude" shades, this color has become as relevant as possible.A neutral dusty taupe looks equally good in business wear, casual and evening dresses, coats and sweaters.
Melange
In fact, melange is not a shade, but a technology for dyeing a fabric. Fibers of different shades of the same color intertwine with each other and create a pockmarked fabric.
Most often, light gray melange can be found in T-shirts, sportswear, casual dresses, jumpers.
Rules for combining gray with other colors
A universal way to find a suitable color scheme is to use the Luscher color wheel. It is a popular design tool for determining the best color combinations.
You can use ready-made color schemes from the Internet. They are suitable both for creating fashionable looks and for design solutions.
Gray can be combined with most shades as it is neutral. Classic gray has no cold or dark undertone. A win-win option is a monochrome look that combines several shades of the black and white spectrum.
According to color theory, the following color schemes exist:
- Mono - monochromatic, or combining several shades of the same color.
- Contrast is a combination of two colors. As a rule, they are opposite each other in the color wheel.
- Triad is a combination of three colors.
- A tetrad is a combination of four colors.
In order not to overload the calm gray color, it is recommended to combine no more than 2-3 shades in one look.
Gray and white
Gray, white and black are monochrome and blend perfectly. Bright white refreshes discreet gray.
For example, in order to make the look less formal, you can wear snow-white shoes with gray clothes.
Gray and black
The combination of gray and black is a classic business dress. Any combination in any proportion is allowed. Along with white, these two colors are basic and are always used to create a capsule wardrobe.
Gray with red
Gray is the perfect backdrop for vibrant accent colors. For example, red. The best option is a combination of gray clothes and small red accessories. For example, belts, scarves, jewelry or bags.
Classic gray and scarlet go well. It is recommended to make a contrast in the materials: to combine lace, leather, chiffon, cotton.
Gray and green
The best tandem for gray is with muted green tones. For example, olive, marsh. This combination is most suitable for the "summer" and "autumn" color types. The combination of classic gray and neon green shades also looks good.
For delicate looks, a combination with a mint color is successful. It can be worn with both classic gray and light gray. The union of mint and gray will beat the pale pink hue.
Gray and brown
A noble combination of gray and brown - perfect for business and office style. If gray dominates, choose light gray or classic gray.
If the main color is brown, then it is easy to beat it with a deep dark gray color.
Other variations from the green spectrum, combined with gray: neon green, mint, turquoise.
Gray and beige
Another combination suitable for the office with a dress code. The combination of gray and beige looks soft and feminine.
Combination options:
- Gray dress and beige jacket.
- Beige sweater and gray trousers.
- Gray shirt and beige skirt.
A combination of different textures looks good. For example, beige leather combined with gray cotton. Or cashmere gray and satin beige.
Gray and blue
Blue and gray are two noble classic colors that go well with each other. Any shade is suitable except dark blue.
Options:
- Neon blue.
- Royal blue.
- Denim blue.
They can be used in both garments and accessories. The combination of blue satin and gray cashmere looks especially impressive.
Gray and orange tone
Gray can be combined with any neon shades. Orange is one of them. Light gray color perfectly emphasizes the richness of bright orange. This combination is often found in high-tech interior designs.
Other shades of orange look no worse:
- Copper.
- Bronze.
- Peach.
- Coral.
- Salmon.
The following rule should be followed: the darker the shade of gray, the more saturated the orange should be. This union will complement the mint and milky white color.
Gray and yellow
The most unusual color combination. Looks best with dominant gray. An alternative option is a tandem with a mustard (mustard) color. It can be the main one in the image.
Accent yellow accessories: belt, bag, scarf.
Warm shades of yellow with a light red undertone look best: mustard, golden, "saffron". For a triadic color scheme, turquoise or light green is suitable.
Gray and purple
A combination for an evening out. Delicate lilac, deep purple, lilac tones are suitable. Typically, a similar color combination is used for purple tops. They look good with gray skirts, pants, jackets, cardigans. A bright purple neon shade looks especially impressive in combination with gray.
Gray and pink
Gray color is combined with all pastel shades: mint, lilac, peach. The most delicate combination: light gray and pink. You can combine colors in any proportion. Pink is complemented by cold shades. Garment can be accentuated with a metallic silver belt.
Fuchsia is worth highlighting. This tandem is often used in interior design, but also looks good in clothes. A gray blouse can be combined with a pink midi, and a pink one with a gray jacket or cardigan. Also fuchsia can be used in accessories: a pink scarf, shoes or a brooch.
Gray and gold color
Like yellow and orange, golden colors go well with monochrome gray. This combination is most often used for an evening look. In order to make the image expressive and "expensive", you can create a contrast of textures.
Use gold-colored sequins, velvet, rhinestones, fringe, organza or chiffon in combination with a sophisticated gray jacket or coat. You can also combine color in accessories. For example, purchase a clutch bag or shoes with a combination of silver and gold metallic threads or rhinestones.
Gray with silver (gray)
A monochrome look can be easily played up with accessories or clothes with a metallic effect. A strict business image will become more original if you wear a silvery jacquard or silk skirt under a gray jacket and top.
You can add a silver bag, belt or shoes to a gray monophonic set. Silver shoes with a holographic effect look spectacular.
Accessories and shoes in gray
Accessories in gray will suit any business or classic look. Neutral shades of gray will complement the color ensemble in clothes.
Accessories create an interesting accent.
Shiny, metallic, iridescent jewelry is perfect for an evening out. Leather, matte textures, dense fabric - for everyday use.
Gray shoes
When it comes to winter shoes, gray can behave moody, visually shortening the legs. Short boots and gray boots should be worn with beige tights or light colored trousers.
High boots can be worn with black and brown tights. Shoes can be combined with accessories in gray, brown, black or ruby colors. Gray suede looks spectacular. It can be easily paired with a gray, white or brown coat.
Summer sandals or gray sneakers can be worn everyday. The ideal solution is light gray shoes.As with beige and powdery colors, it blends harmoniously with any look.
Gray bag
Gray is equally suitable for both evening and casual looks. Light gray bags should be left for the summer. Classic and dark gray colors are appropriate for winter bags. The material can be any: suede, natural and artificial leather.
Metallic and silver colors are suitable for evening looks. It can be sequins, rhinestones, satin, metallized thread, artificial fur. The best choice is a small clutch bag on a silver or gold thin chain.
Scarf or shawl
Gray looks especially good in satin, silk, organza. Shiny, flowing shawls in gray can be tied around your hair, neck, belt or bag. The universal option is blue-gray. It will suit a business and casual look.
For autumn and winter, gray snoods and headscarves are suitable. They are combined with down jackets and insulated coats in soothing colors. For a classic look, you should give preference to wool, cashmere, silk. Acrylic and cotton are suitable for sports.
Belt
Gray belts and belts are suitable for any color combination. The thin light gray strap can be used as an alternative to white or beige. Dark gray - as a replacement for black and brown.
The metallic silver strap can play up even the most boring dress.
In addition to this, you can take a similar bag or shoes. Wide gray fabric belts are suitable for black, gray, brown, white, pink dresses. Leather - for business suits.
Decorations
Silver jewelry and silver-colored bijouterie fit perfectly into any look. For an accent, a massive necklace with an abundance of accessories, large earrings or a ring-ring are suitable.
They look most impressive with clothes of dark colors: black, ruby, emerald, blue.
Hats
Gray is often found in classic style items. For example, for cold autumn weather, you can purchase a light gray felt hat.
It will fit black, brown, blue, red coats and shoes of any color. The style can be anything: a classic wide-brimmed hat, a narrow-brimmed "Fedora" or a bowler hat.
Gray fabric caps fit any sporty look.
What gray color does not match
Gray color matches most shades. But it can look somber when paired with other muted dark tones. For example, dusty dark green, wine, dark blue. The best option is to create a monochrome image with several shades of the black and white spectrum, or to make a bright accent with a pastel or rich saturated shade.
Video about the selection of gray in clothes
How to choose gray items: