Building Blocks

Block and white and color all over

Who knew getting dressed could be this much fun? Color blocking is my new favorite dressing game, and it's so easy even the color blind can do it. Suddenly all those rules about what color goes with what don't seem to apply. For me today that meant a navy silk kimono jacket, magenta knife-pleated skirt, chartreuse cami, and apricot leather belt.

Here are some tips for having your own block party:

> You can easily block all brights, all pastels or all neutrals. Mixing block families is trickier.

> Your goal is not to reinvent the rainbow— three blocks minimum but four should be enough.

> Black and white are not colors in this game. Black and white and a color is not color blocking.

> The most successful color blocking looks random and unexpected. Good old red, white and blue is not really "it".

> Shades of a color is not color blocking. You have to spin all over the color wheel.

> Adding a print adds about 40 years to this look. But stripes seem to work.

> You can tiptoe into color blocking by having an accessory (shoes, bag, belt, tights) in color.

> Keep jewelry to a minimum. You don't want to look too perfectly refined. Think tousled hair with an evening gown.

> As with everything fashion, wear it as if you own it.