MEET YOUR NEW STYLE GURU: THE COLOUR WHEEL

This circular spectrum, which is made up of the natural order of colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – can help you understand how different shades work together and to what effect.

For example, colours that sit next to one another can create a subtle look, as these blend into one another, while colours that sit opposite each other are ‘complementary’ and make a striking contrast when worn together. I like to combine colour with either its best friend or worst enemy. Say I have something in a raspberry shade: I could find another pink that works with it, but I prefer to go across the colour wheel and wear it with a lemon yellow. Orange and turquoise is another combination I love. Remember, even if you’re doing contrasting colours, make sure the tone is right: a dirty pink needs a dirty yellow, a bright blue needs a bright orange. See the box below for ideas.

HOW TO USE IT TO CLASH COLOURS Prints can be great inspiration for surprising colour combinations. Look for abstract, geometric or ikat patterns. Find some Missoni or Prabal Gurung prints online and you’ll discover some beautiful, unexpected colour combinations.

A quick styling tip: when you’re clashing separates, if you tuck your shirt into your trousers, it can be too much of a contrast.

Try a half-tuck, where you tuck one half of the top in and leave the other loose. It allows the contrasting colours to meet horizontally and vertically, so there’s not such a harsh division at your middle.