Ultimate Guide to Colour Blocking Fashion (UK & USA)

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

Colour blocking is one of fashion’s boldest yet most flattering style techniques. Whether you’re petite, tall, plus-size or athletic, well-executed colour blocking can enhance your natural proportions, create visual balance, and inject confidence into any outfit.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• What colour blocking is and how to do it well

• Styling strategies by body type

• Best high-street and designer brands in the UK and USA

• And how Tellar.co.uk guarantees the perfect fit in real time—across 1,500+ brands

🎨 1. What Is Colour Blocking?

Colour blocking involves pairing two or more solid colours—often complementary or contrasting—to create visual structure. The technique originated in 1960s mod fashion and remains a go-to for stylists who want to sculpt or elongate a silhouette using pure colour alone.

Common blocking methods:

• Tonal: Light and dark shades of the same hue

• Contrasting: Colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel (e.g. cobalt and orange)

• Monochrome: All one colour but with varied textures or intensity

🧠 2. Why Colour Blocking Flatters Every Body

Strategic colour placement can:

• Add shape to straighter figures

• Minimise volume in wider areas

• Highlight your best features

• Create visual height

For example, wearing darker shades on the bottom half can slim the hips, while a lighter or brighter top draws attention upwards. Vertical blocking elongates. Diagonal blocks sculpt. Horizontal stripes widen.

→ Explore further: The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

👗 3. How to Style Colour Blocking Well

✔ Limit to 2–3 colours max per outfit

Avoid over-complicating the look. Start with a bold and a neutral.

✔ Use well-placed accessories

Introduce a third colour through a belt, bag or shoe.

✔ Pair fitted cuts with colour contrast

The more saturated the shades, the more important tailored fit becomes.

✔ Balance bold with basics

Offset bright colours with muted tones or clean silhouettes.

→ Fit is everything—learn more: The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

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

🇬🇧 UK High Street Brands

• COS – Minimalist cuts and architectural colour blocks

• M&S – Strong colour stories in Autograph and Per Una

• Zara – Affordable colour-blocked suiting and midi dresses

• River Island – Playful hues in coordinated sets

• Whistles – Polished tailoring in contemporary colour combos

→ Matching sizes? Read: What Size Am I in Next?

🇺🇸 USA & Designer Picks

• J.Crew – Structured pops of colour with classic styling

• Tibi – Edgy silhouettes in clean palettes

• Staud – Signature two-tone pieces and graphic trousers

• Theory – Elevated basics in luxe colour blocking

• Veronica Beard – Tailored brights and tonal suiting

→ Shopping across regions? Read: UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

👚 5. Colour Blocking by Body Shape

📌 Rectangle (Straight/Athletic)

Use contrast at shoulders and hips. Belt the waist to create curves.

→ Must-read: Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

→ Also try: Jeans for Petite Women – High Street & Designer

📌 Pear Shape

Keep bottoms darker. Use light tops or bright accessories to balance.

📌 Apple or Round

Vertical colour blocks or dark side panels create a narrowing illusion.

📌 Hourglass

Define the waist with colour panels or belts. Use form-fitting cuts.

🧵 6. Fabric & Fit Tips

Colour blocking works best with:

• Midweight fabrics: Cotton blends, crepe, ponte, wool

• Structure over cling: Avoid slinky jersey unless layering

• Defined seams: Panel lines and darts help shape the body

• Clean cuts: Fitted waists, tailored jackets, A-line skirts

→ For measuring and fit guidance: Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide

🔧 7. How Tellar.co.uk Makes It All Fit

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s most powerful free sizing tool. It matches your actual body measurements to the correct size in 1,500+ brands, instantly. No guesswork. No returns.

Whether shopping COS, Zara, Everlane, or Reiss, Tellar shows your correct size for each label—so you can colour block with confidence.

✅ How Tellar Works:

1. Measure once: bust, waist, hips—or input your size in a brand you wear

2. Use the Store Size Lookup to find your true size across labels

3. Shop with confidence—your garments will fit properly

4. Always free—no logins, no downloads, just real-time fit advice

➡️ tellar.co.uk

📏 Download a printable measuring tape

🔎 Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

📚 Bonus Resources from the Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar offers thousands of stylist-approved fashion posts, all free and independently written. These guides are designed to help every shopper—from petite to plus, from casual to luxury.

🔗 Explore More:

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

• What Size Am I in Next?

• UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

• Finding Your Clothes Size

• Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

• Jeans for Petite Women

• Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

• Women’s Tuxedo Suits – Styles, Brands & Fit

📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Styling + Fit Tips

Stay connected to expert fashion advice, brand fit updates, and real-time trend insights:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter/X: @TellarSizing

• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

• Pinterest: TellarSizing

✅ Final Word

Colour blocking is more than a trend—it’s a timeless strategy to dress with purpose and personality. Whether you’re styling bold suiting, playful co-ords or sculptural dresses, fit is the key to making colour work for your body.

Let Tellar.co.uk do the heavy lifting—matching you to the perfect size in every brand, every time. Confident fashion starts with knowing what fits.

🔗 Start now: tellar.co.uk

Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always Free.