Ultimate Guide to Colour Blocking Fashion (UK & USA)

Styling Advice | Best Brands | Fit Backed by Tellar.co.uk

Colour blocking is one of the most powerful and visually striking tools in fashion styling. When executed with intention, it flatters the figure, elevates basics, and adds confidence to every step. Whether you shop high-street or designer, understanding how to block colour effectively—and fit it to your body—is a wardrobe game-changer.

This guide will walk you through:

What colour blocking is
How to do it well
Best brands for UK and US shoppers
Why fit matters more than ever
And how Tellar.co.uk helps you get it exactly right

🎨 1. What is Colour Blocking?

Colour blocking is the technique of wearing solid blocks of colour—either complementary or contrasting—to create structure, shape or visual impact. First made famous in the 1960s, it remains a favourite among stylists and designers for its high-impact, body-shaping capabilities.

There are three core colour-blocking methods:

Tonal: Varying shades of the same colour (e.g., light pink + dark burgundy)
Complementary: Opposite colours on the wheel (e.g., blue + orange)
Triadic: Three evenly spaced tones (e.g., red, yellow, blue)

🧠 2. Why It Works on Every Body Shape

Strategic colour blocking enhances your figure by:

Creating curves where there are none (great for rectangle shapes)
Minimising volume on fuller areas (using darker tones)
Drawing attention to your strongest features (with bright colours)
Elongating the body using vertical colour blocks

For body-specific tips:

→ The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types Instruction on Posts

👗 3. Styling Tips for Colour Blocking Success

✔ Stick to 2–3 colours max per outfit to avoid overcomplicating

✔ Balance proportions: bold colour on top = subtle base, and vice versa

✔ Use tailored silhouettes—clean lines help colours shine

✔ Anchor with neutrals like beige, navy, or black if you’re just starting

✔ Avoid prints or fussy textures—this is all about block colour impact

🛍️ 4. Best High-Street & Designer Brands for Colour Blocking

🇬🇧 UK High Street Brands

COS – Known for architectural silhouettes and elegant blocks of cream, cobalt and forest
M&S – Surprisingly strong colour blocking in co-ords and dresses across Autograph and Per Una ranges
Whistles – Tailored colour pieces, especially in bold suiting
Zara – Affordable high-impact blazers, skirts and panel dresses
River Island – More playful with pop-colour layering sets and accessories

→ What Size Am I in Next? The Ultimate Guide to Next Clothing Sizing Instruction on Posts

🇺🇸 USA & Designer Brands

J.Crew – Clean-cut colour blocking with a preppy twist
Tibi – A designer go-to for directional, minimalist colour pairings
Staud – Known for signature two-tone dresses and wide-leg colour trousers
Theory – Understated luxury with muted block styles
Veronica Beard – Tailored jackets and trousers in confident colours

👚 5. How to Dress Colour Blocking by Body Shape

📌 Rectangle Body Shape

Use bold colours in the top and bottom sections with a belt at the waist to add definition.

→ The Ultimate Guide to Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape Instruction on Posts

→ Jeans for Petite Women – Designer, Boutique & HighStreet Instruction on Posts

📌 Apple or Round Shape

Keep colour boldest at the top or bottom (not both). Use vertical colour panels to elongate the body.

📌 Pear Shape

Use lighter/brighter colours on top to balance hips. Opt for A-line or tailored pieces in base tones.

👖 6. Structure Matters: Fit Before Colour

Colour blocking only works if your pieces fit exactly where they’re meant to. A blazer in cobalt that sags in the shoulders won’t enhance your shape. A midi skirt that doesn’t sit at your waist ruins the vertical line.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk makes the difference.

✅ 7. How Tellar.co.uk Works

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, helping you find your perfect size in over 1,500 brands, high street and designer. It removes the guesswork that comes with inconsistent sizing—especially important when working with bold, tailored colour pieces.

🔧 Step-by-Step:

Measure once, using your bust, waist and hip (or use your size in a brand you already wear)
Use Tellar’s Store Size Lookup to see your correct size across brands like COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket & more
Shop with confidence—fewer returns, smarter outfits, perfect fit
Always free—in-browser, no downloads needed

➡️ Create your free Tellar.co.uk profile

➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup tool

➡️ Download your free printable measuring tape Instruction on Posts

🧭 Backed by the Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar’s blog includes thousands of stylist-written guides across fit, styling, body shapes, brand reviews and wardrobe planning—all independent, unbiased, and free.

📏 Universal Sizing & Fit Guides:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide Instruction on Posts
UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts
Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts

👖 Universal Garment Fit Guides:

Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape Instruction on Posts
Jeans for Petite Women – HighStreet, Designer, Boutique & Independent Brands Instruction on Posts

👚 Style & Tailoring Pillars:

Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types Instruction on Posts
Women’s Tuxedo Suits – Styles, Brands & Fit Instruction on Posts

📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Style + Fit Tips

Stay connected for live fashion advice, body-aware styling, and the newest brand fit updates:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

✅ Final Word

When it comes to making a statement, colour blocking is one of fashion’s most effective tools. But its impact depends entirely on fit. Oversized, off-balance, or poorly structured garments dilute the effect.

Use Tellar.co.uk to take control of your fit—so your boldest outfits feel as good as they look.

→ Start now: https://tellar.co.uk

Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always Free.