Style Dilemma: Color Questions

MotorCityGirl writes:

What do you think of this color combination? I'm going for the modern business/jacket and jeans look and I felt like the red jacket was a bit to conservative to pair with jeans without something unexpected to tie the two together. Jacket is shorter and untucked shirt peeks out below the the jacket.

Dear MotorCityGirl:

Like it. Absolutely. 1) I'm a fan of brights together. Especially, as you say, as something a little unexpected in the generally conservative business or academic worlds. 2) I'm a fan of color - whether in the same color family, like your pink and red combo, or whether in contrasting hues (think your 3rd grade art class color wheel lesson).

Another friend asked me a while back "how do you work with color? I'm always so afraid to mix and match." My answer to that? No fear. Ever. Anymore, there are no color rules, as long as you make your choices deliberately and wear them with confidence. But if you want rules, here are my quick & dirty Color Commands:

• Use your color wheel. Contrasting colors work - opposites attract. Purple and orange, for example, are just fine - good, even, if done with confidence. And there's a reason for red and green together.
• Use your neutrals...black, white, browns, navies, and even some unexpected ones, like greys. Wear an all-neutral ensemble, then spice it up with a single piece of color - an accessory like a big, huge bangle, or pick one piece, like your jacket or blouse.
• Or...Keep things in the same color family...hues. Wear your neutral, then pick your color pieces to be, say, all in the blue family. But make them very distinct hues, not too close. Too close will look like you've made a misdirected attempt at completely monochromatic.
• Confidence, confidence, confidence.