Evening star., 1935-06-24
Apparel Palette.

NUMBERED among those lucky in
: y dividuals gifted with feeling for
color coordination and an inherent
ability to select the most pleasing
combinations are many engaged in
the merchandising, selling and dis
playing Of mems apparel. But for
those who lack this sixth sense, 1t Is
at least O consolation to know that
such ability is subconsciously based
on certain definite principals which
any one can deliberately apply to the
selection Of effective color combina-
tions.
The color chart is evolved from
those principles and helps clarity
them. These fundamental theories,
Of course, hold good for any activity
that calls for discrimination in the
selection of colors, but they are pri-
marily considered here as they per-
tain to mems apparel.
Since suits form a logical starting
point In such O consideration, 1t Is
first necessary to point out that. due
to mans traditional avoidance of
ostentation in his dress, suitings have
remained definitely on the neutral
side. A true neutral" is composed of
two Complementary colors- CThe vari-
Gus sets of Complementary colors may
be ascertained from the chart) Neu-
trail suitings serve as an excellent
background for furnishings Of definite
colorings, but the most pleasing results
in the selection of furnishings for
wear with any given neutral shade de-
pend upon the proper application OF
the theories Of color.
Experience shows several ways Of
obtaining pleasing color combinations.
The most simple method Is the utili-
zation of one color in its various
values. These values are commonly
referred to as tones, but are more cor
rectly, II more technically, known as
monochromes.
"Harmonies" are another important
means of achieving pleasing combina-
tions, and for the proper selection of
harmonies reference may again be
made to the chart. Further, what Is
correctly designated as tone" ef-
feet is secured II each article in the
ensemble contains some part of the
same color in varying quantities.
BY applying either monochrome,
hsrmonies or tones entirely to the use
Of furnishing items. taking into con-
sideration which color is most definite
in the neutralized suiting, it is pos
sible to avoid clashes in combining
the proper furnishings with the suit.
In clothing, blue is neutralized
color made up of blue and red. The
result Is that red is always effective
when worn with blue suits. However,
furnishings with blue suits need not
be limited to red, as any Of the various
colors that are in harmony with red
will be equally effective in combina-
ton with blue-keeping in mind that
the limitation Of the harmony will be
the three colors on either side of the
red. as given In the chart.
With reference to brown suitings, 1t
should be observed that browns, be-
cause they are made by the mixture
Of either red, orange or yellow with
their compliments, may ordinarily be
classified as red-brown or yellow
brown. In determining the proper
furnishings to 60 with brown suits, it
is well to ascertain which kind of
brown one has to work with.
AS for suitings of gray, we have in
this color a perfect neutral, and it is
usually 8 simple matter to select ef-
fective furnishings for wear with a
gray suit. Practically no limitation is
placed on the shade of shirting used,
but since there Is little color in the
gray suit it is well to choose neckwear
that is Complementary to the shirt.
The Star, in cooperation with
Esquire, will answer all questions
on mems fashions. Write to Mans
Fashion Editor, The Evening Star,
and inclose self-addressed,
stamped envelope for reply.