Preloading

3 Ways to Make a Bold Statement With Colored Pants

These simple rules will guide you.
Teal Pants
Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D.
Tone on Tone
Wearing tone on tone is no different from head-to-toe black: You're creating a line with a single palette—in this case, dusty teal.

Keep the color quiet. You don't want to be mistaken for a Cirque du Soleil acrobat.

When in doubt, go for a nude shoe.
Magenta Pants
Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D.
Longer Top
Control the amount of color you're showing with a long tunic, jacket, or, as shown here, poncho.

Neutrals look lovely against color. Consider charcoal, camel, even a deep aubergine.

Balance a skinny silhouette on the bottom with a looser, more flowing top.
Red Pants
Photo: Chris Eckert/Studio D.
Metallics
There's a time to blend in and a time to stand out. If you really want to light up a room, don't pair a shiny top with black; brightly colored pants have lots more pop.

Wider cut, boot-leg pants actually slim hips.

The higher the heel, the longer-looking the legs.
From the October 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
You May Also Like
September's Best Beauty Buys
5 Easy Ways to Extend Your Summer Wardrobe into Fall
Honey, I Shrunk! 5 Women's Amazing Transformations
5 Stunning Round-Face Watches

View All Newsletters

Related Articles
How to Have Your Best Year Yet
The Habits of Highly Organized People
Martha Beck: How to Tap into the Right Side of Your Brain
Financial Resolutions
Things Every Woman Should Write Down
The One Thing Creative People Always Make Time For