The bird has its feathers, the leopard has its spots, and we have a vast world of clothing and accoutrements to make us stand out from the rest of humanity. One way to make sure your outfit gets noticed is to deploy a classic styling trick by wearing a neutral outfit and decorating it with a pop of color in the form of attention-grabbing red shoes or a vivid purple crossbody bag. But wait! This isn’t merely a styling trick – it’s also a psychological trick. Gestalt psychology is its own field of study, and within its boundaries lies the “Gestalt Effect”, a term that applies to visual perception.
In basic terms, the Gestalt Effect says that when objects are grouped together to form a whole – like an outfit, for example – parts of the whole that are different force visual notice. If you were wearing a completely beige outfit and a bright red belt, the contrast would cause someone passing by to stop and evaluate you. Don’t believe us? Check out the super noticeable street-style stars and “It” girls in our gallery, below, to see what a pop of color can do for a neutral outfit.
Hailey Baldwin maximizes current trends in polka dot tights and a pajama top, but what our eye really travels to is her fabulous red bag.
Take cues from Julia Sarr-Jamois, a stylist and a style star who loves taking tomboyish pieces and juxtaposing them with flashes of femininity and pops of color.
Dana Wolley breaks up a sea of eye-popping patterns with touches of fuchsia, which is a foolproof combination if you ask us.
Dana Hourani always treads the fine line between masculine and feminine so flawlessly. We love how she cinched up her menswear shirt with a matching corset and topped the whole thing off with an eye-catching red Chloe bag.
Abbey Lee Kershaw does a perfect athleisure look that works double-duty by being both gym and street worthy.
Denisia Aghiorghitoaie wowed us by employing the subtlest touch of color and keeping the rest of her look the same shade of optic white.
Anna Jane Wisniewski showcases how to do a great look you can wear on date night or to the office by keeping her clothes casual and her accessories poppin’.
Delilah Parillo employs the classic black-on-black for a street-style shoot, but smartened up her look with 1970s footwear and colorful socks.
