[null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.colourlovers.com/fashion/blog/author/mollybermea", "unformatted_src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/176/1769/1769587/1769587.png", "src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/176/1769/1769587/1769587.png", "alt_text": "Sunshiny"}, {"document_url": "http://www.colourlovers.com/fashion/blog/author/mollybermea", "unformatted_src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/175/1756/1756930/1756930.png", "src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/175/1756/1756930/1756930.png", "alt_text": "topaz jazz"}, {"document_url": "http://www.colourlovers.com/fashion/blog/author/mollybermea", "unformatted_src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/176/1769/1769883/1769883.png", "src": "http://static.colourlovers.com/images/contests/betabrand/socks/176/1769/1769883/1769883.png", "alt_text": "Wear It Is"}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Welcome to our fashion color community. Here you'll find the latest fashion-focused Palettes and Patterns, as well as Blog, Trends and Forums to help you find the right look.


Daily Posts. Colorful Ideas & Inspirations.

Our team of writers brings you daily trend coverage, new products, inspiration, information and fun ideas. With an archive of more than 2,129 articles, you're sure to find something you love. Or if you have a great idea, let us know!






 Maasai Beading: Color & Symbolism [ infographic ]

By Molly Bermea // June 22, 2015

The Maasai are one of the most well known Indigenous people of Africa. Their colorful attire and unique customs highlight their vibrant culture located in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania.

Have you ever wondered as to the symbolism and social meanings behind their vibrantly beadwork?

"The beaded jewelry made by the Maasai women is a tradition from the Maasai tribe, located in Southern Kenya. The Maasai have been creating beaded jewelry for a very long time. It all started long before the first European contact had occurred. At the time, the tribe used natural resources to create their jewelry. Clay, wood, bone, copper and brass are just few of the materials that were used. When trade with Europeans started in the late 19th century, glass beads were suddenly available, and it is with those that the Maasai decided to continue their tradition of beaded jewels....The colors of the jewels are not only chosen because of the beautiful ensembles they make, but also for their symbolic values. Each color has a meaning that is often related to cattle. Cattle are the main food source of the Maasai and they sustain a deep connection with them. " - Discovered.us I am really impressed that the Maasai Culture still exits in our world today. With their unwavering culturally-rich history, American culture pales in comparison with our ever-changing fashion trends and cultural whims. They definitely have a deeply rooted culture one can't help but be impressed by.

Check out the Maasai on COLOURlovers: The History of Tie-Dye & The Art of Digital Tie-Dye

By Molly Bermea // June 5, 2015

Tie-Dye, a modern textile craft, is something that has been around for ages and will be around for many more moons to come. Always intriguing, always a new spin off the same basic concept, done in a rainbow of hues to monochromatic intrigues. And while we're on the topic, check out the Rainbow Contest over at Instrucables right now (awesome art prizes). All types of submissions are acceptable, so have some fun with it!

Tie-Dye became popular in the United States of our more modern world in the late 1960's and heavily saturated the 1970's which sort of branded it to the times and people of "Free Love", tripping on Acid and LSD.

"Although shibori and batik techniques were used occasionally in Western fashion before the 1960s, modern psychedelic tie-dying did not become a fad until the late 1960s following the example set by rock stars such as Janis Joplin and John Sebastian (who did his own dyeing)." ~ Wikipedia

Tie-Dye mostly went in to hiding with the outrageously new Neon trends during the 80's and 90's. Then, along with every popular known trend of each era, it was brought back and re-hashed in our Pop Culture of today's fashion sphere.

If you don't know what modern, American Tie-dye is, you might be living under a rock, but here is a great resource on the technique and style if you've never looked it up. Sourced from Tie-Dye on Wikipedia

So how did it literally become an American craft to be readily found in stores everywhere - I love this part. Basically, Tie-Dye came about when a company was trying to save it's brand. RIT® dye, at the time was losing momentum with their prime market clientele, older generation females doing home-dying.

"At the time, RIT® dye was starting to lose it's market; primarily older women that dyed home goods." - Dharma Article, Did you Know...?

Without getting in to too much detail on the actual specifics because I think that [ one of my favorite online dye resources ] the Dharma Trading Company impressively covered the textbook attributes of this really well in their article, Did You Know: Is Tie-Dye An American Art Form?

"Artists, opinion leaders, and influencers took to tie-dying almost as if it were a new psychedelic substance. Janis Joplin began wearing tie dye (it was even rumored she wore tie-dye panties) but it was still confined to a small circle of users. The next stop was the fashion industry but they weren't convinced it was anything more then a local fad. About this time, folks heard about a musical gathering that was to take place in rural Woodstock, New York, and it was going to be a big event (understatement of the decade!). Two of the well-known artists in the Village wanted to tie-dye several hundred T-shirts and give them away at the concert. RIT financed the project. Thousands of people showed up at Woodstock from across the country and the tie-dye T-shirts were eye-catching. The idea caught on…big. Joe Cocker, Mama Cass, Janis Joplin all wore tie-dye. Tie-dye became a symbol of antiestablishmentarianism, as no one else could have the same shirt as you even if they used the same colors. It was a statement of being an individual." - Read More... How the Fashion Industry finally took it seriously...

I could quite literally quote this entire article it's so interesting and well written. I'll leave the quotes to that, but how amazing to see how a pretty modern fad became a huge trend over trying to save a brand name product.

In summary, basically the traditional methods, techniques and practices of the tie-dye movement from the 1960's and 70's we know of here in the USA were brought over from African traditional art to save a brand name. Amazing!

Video Tutorial: Create Your Own Tie-Dye in Seamless Lite (to Janis Joplin)

Feel free to use this exact technique to practice and get the hang of it! :)

Templates You Can Tie-Dye Yourself - Show me what you've got!

Do you have a favorite template that works for tie-dye? Please share! Explore Tie-Dye on COLOURlovers: Cosplay Disney Princess Ultimate Costume Guide [ Infographic ]

By Molly Bermea // April 24, 2015

What are the three most memorable physical characteristics of a Disney Princess? Aside from their tiny waistlines, I don't think it's a stretch to say: big eyes, big hair and big dresses. Pop culture has wildly re-defined so many traditional visuals these days. The styles of Cosplay + Steampunk + Disney Princess = Pure Awesomeness.

Most cosplayer's value the DIY aspect of creating the costume. How well they can pull off the challenging aspects a costume may behold. The first thing you need to decide when planning out one of these Disney Princess costumes is to go traditional or add a steampunk flair. Both are pretty fun, but each will require certain points to consider. A traditional princess costume will by far be your quickest route. A steampunk princess version will give you more flexibility to add your own abstract vision to the entire look and feel of your end product, essentially garnering more "oooh's and aaaahhhs," but be careful about getting too creative and getting the,"So who are you supposed to be?"

Check out some amazing PIXLR Comic Con Galleries here!

To avoid confusing people of your characters identity at a convention, make sure you stick to the basic signature traits of your character. Here are four idea's to get your started and a ton of great tutorials and DIY guides linked below. As promised, all the physical sourced tutorials are linked here! Some simply have more detailed content, some have video. Enjoy!

Hand-Selected Source List for Costume Tutorials:

Tiara's & Crowns:

Elsa: Disney Photo | Steampunk Photo | Disney Dress | Steampunk Outfit | Tiara DIY (instructables) | Overall Great Costume & Tiara DIY | Another Great DIY Tiara | If you just want to buy one, Etsy has many! My favorite Etsy Crown |  Elsa Heels DIY | Hair Tutorial

Anna: Disney Photo | Steampunk Photo | Disney Dress | Disney Dress Sewing Patterns | Embroidery Guides | More Embroidery Guides | Anna Books DIY | Hair Tutorial

Cinderella: Disney Photo | Steampunk Photo | Disney Dress | Steampunk Outfit | Hair Style Guide |  Modern Heel

Ariel: Disney Photo | Steampunk Photo | Disney Dress | Tail Options: skirt-tail scales skirt-tail DIY skirt-tail (Instrucables) | Hair Tutorial |

Hair Dye & Wigs: Wig Making & Dying | Cosplay Wigs 101 | Wig Supply (white wigs to Dye)  | How to Dye Synthetic Wigs | Remove Wig Shine for a nice matte finish tutorial

Body: boobs hack - make your boobs look bigger (video) | Make realistic boobs for revealing cosplay costumes DIY | Corset DIY |

Shopping Links for buying or detailed inspiration: Disney Dresses & Outfits (one stop shop & full of style inspiration | Steampunk Princess Outfits & Inspiration (one stop shop or ideas)

If you're looking to go non-traditional Disney Princess and rock it up a little, check out these re-invented Disney Warrior Princesses or another take is Pin-up Disney Princess Villains. More pop culture Disney Princess Villains! And then again, how about a Moulin Rouge Disney Princess Cosplay?

Do you cosplay? What are your favorite characters?
 Friday Fashion Passion: Fun & Funky Panties & Undies

By Molly Bermea // April 17, 2015

The great thing about your undies is that they are normally something kept all to yourself. Perhaps you have a fantastic personality yet your job requires you to wear a boring uniform with absolutely no way to fun it up, or is there? Well here's your chance!

Holy moly, the panties and underwear coming out of creative heads these days are fun, funky and hilarious... and admitedly, sometimes a little gross. I don't recommend googling "men's funny undies" ...needless to say it gets a little, ahem, interesting.

Personally, I think Etsy Seller, FlashYouAndMe really hit the spot for selling fun and funky undies to both women and men with their line of Couples Underwear! For real! Not to mention their imagery really rocks with super character rich illustrations mixed with attractive models full of expression! Take note if you run a fashion accessories etsy shop. raindrops | green stars | stripes (aka chocolate bar) | gray (truly yours) | "pertrol green" with turquoise dots | "stars Nr6" (lavender + black stars)
 A Friday Fashion Passion: Steampunk

By Molly Bermea // April 10, 2015

The Steampunk Trend has been building such momentum for some time now. This vintage-modern abstract style garners the marriage between beautiful and sleek with a  mechanical-industrial flare, bordering at times on "trashy" if done wrong. It's a style of opposites meshing to make a fantastical smash to fashion.

I am so drawn to this ultra creative Steampunk trend, yet I'm not sure what to do with it in my every day life. I want it, but how? As a photographer and creative in general, I find myself meandering (ahem, wasting time) perusing all the steampunk crazed Pinterest boards dreaming up excuses to bring some Steampunk in to my life. wedding dresses & jewels | red corset | necklace | globe | scale bra | headdress | watch

What I love about this fun trend is that you can incorporate it in to anything! Visually it's super appealing, so applying it to some of your home decor is easy and simple and is almost an edgy version of "rustic" trends. Jewelry is easy to incorporate in to your every day style. And if you're really looking to make an impression host a Gatsby themed party. I am loving the beautiful dresses adorned in metals for weddings completely decked out in steampunk.

Steampunk takes on a modern twist to historic trends, like the medieval age collided with an industrial era.  Do you love this trend? Is it too gimmicky for you?
 COLOURlovers + Betabrand Creations 2011: Plaid Shirts & Striped Palette-Socks

By Molly Bermea // December 22, 2011

Remember the Betabrand + COLOURlovers plaid shirt and striped, palette-sock contests back in August and September of this year? Yes! Of course you do! How could you forget?! It was so much fun. If you haven't hopped over to check out the finished products, you should!

In the first contest, Color a Plaid Shirt, a single winner was chosen. The winner was, 'Elements' by Lisa Clair (lisadale69). Check out the real deal here at Betabrand! The flannel shirt turned out fantastic! Complete with elbow patches and a nifty custom tag with all the COLOURlover designer info. Obviously, Betabrand spares no detail because this was produced top notch.
 Announcing Winners: Betabrand Striped-Sock Design Contest

By Molly Bermea // September 28, 2011

The suspense has been high between two layers of voting and over 2,000 participants - the Betabrand Palette-Sock Contest has finally come to a close. So without further adieu, the winners are... Luna Rose "Urban Nature" | Northern Dancer "80 proof socks" | earlgrey "Good Morning"

These striped palette-socks will be sold in packs of three together in time for the Holidays over at Betabrand.com.

A big congratulations to these three ladies! They will each receive a $100 Betabrand gift card, their username on the sock packaging, five free sock three-packs and recognition on the Betabrand site in photos/videos (when able).

For the rest of you, Betabrand is offering great pre-order savings on the winning shirt and socks. And a special 20% discount on everything else at Betabrand.com. Click either of the links below...

COLOURlovers Striped Socks: $25 Pre-Order Price

COLOURlovers Plaid Flanel: $60 Pre-Order Price

A Look Back at the 30 Finalists & COLOURlovers Votes

Enjoy a looksie at the 30 most loved striped socks in phase one. Again, great job everyone, thanks for participating! header sock credits: Striped Sock Design Contest with Betabrand... 30 Finalists -Go Vote!

By Molly Bermea // September 23, 2011

Pitter patter I hear a lot of palettes waiting to be worn on your feet! We recieved over 2,000 entries in the Betabrand Striped Sock Design Contest! Here we are in the final round - 30 finalists have been determined with the highest LOVES. I can't believe only three will win?! The winning sock designs will be sold as a 3-pack and ready for the Winter holidays. Voting ends Tuesday, September 27th at 5:00 pm Pacific. Only THREE entrants will win and you only get to vote once! Additionally, FIVE lucky voters will win a prize from the Betabrand product line! So get your bunz over there and make it count!

Also, Betabrand is giving everyone a discount code:

"StripeSaver" is good for 20% off until the end of the September. Striped Sock Design Contest with Betabrand... Color Palettes On Your Feet!

By Molly Bermea // September 14, 2011

Here we are again COLOURlovers! Get your Color Caps on and start putting together some amazing palettes for some way cool, striped socks by Betabrand! Just think about it, this Winter you, your fellow COLOURlovers and the rest of the world could be wearing one of your palettes on their feet!

We were stoked to work with our friends at Betabrand on the COLOURlovers Plaid Flannel Shirt and we're even more stoked to get the chance to work with them again on these awesome socks!

Browse the Contest Gallery | Create a New Entry Now! The Striped Socks Contest ~ 3 Winners!

The contest will be open one week, from September 14th - 22nd at 12:00 AM PDT. The 30 most LOVED entries will then move on to further voting at Betabrand.com.

Each COLOURlovers member is LIMITED TO THREE (3) ENTRIES... The entry submission page will let you know how many you have left. P.S. There's no way to change your entries so choose wisely! :)

Entering the Striped Sock Contest:

You can either browse through the most wonderful palettes you've already created and enter one of those... or get freshly inspired to create a new perfect palette to hug some toes.

Use a Palette You Already Created:

You can easily submit a current palette in your collection by going to your palette's information page. Notice on the RIGHT column there is a nifty pair of socks just chill'n out with your palette on them. Just click the button, "Enter Betabrand Sock Contest."

You can even edit your palette before submitting. *I changed one of my grey's to white (above).* OR Create a New Palette - Live Preview:

Go to the Striped Socks Entry Page, and when it loads all you need to do is click one of those gray squares under the socks to start making your masterpiece. Each time you select a color the sock template will refresh with your new color to give you a live preview of what your finished product will look like. You can even drag the color squares (right-left) to rearrange the colors to get your stripes just perfect. When you're done deciding on a palette and layout of your stripes. Fill out the title and remaining information (optional) and hit the CREATE ENTRY button. And there you are! Give yourself a high-five and LOVE your design. We've provided additional social tools (twitter, Facebook, Google and StumbleUpon) to help you share your creation with your friends and boost your loves… remember that since the 30 most loved designs will move on to the finalist round over at Betabrand you'll want all the love you can get!

Don't forget we're all about the LOVE, so feel free to cruise around and love some of the other designs in The COLOURlovers Striped Socks Gallery.

3 Contest Winners Receive:

But you don't have to wait until the winners are announced to start building your COLOURlovers wardrobe. Betabrand is letting people pre-order both the CL Plaid Shirt & CL Striped Socks at a very nice discount… Click either of the links below.


 Betabrand + COLOURlovers: Color a Plaid Shirt Continued Voting

By Molly Bermea // August 20, 2011

Betabrand, an online-only clothing company that produces limited-edition batches of clothing and accessories, recently paired up with COLOURlovers in the contest, Color-A-Plaid Shirt Contest by Betabrand + COLOURlovers. The contest turned out to be a huge success with over 5,000 entries!

To enter the contest, COLOURlovers simply had to color a pre-picked plaid pattern - Betabrand2, which had been created by one of our very own Lovers, sec9586. After coloring the pattern it produced a plaid shirt mockup of the finished product. The contest is closed and nine finalists were chosen by the Betabrand design team. Voting on these nine selections will be open until NOON (12pm PST) Monday, August 22, 2011.

The Finalists

Betabrand chose the finalists not by the amount of LOVES each pattern/palette got. Simply because this would have been unfair. COLOURlovers had added the ability to LOVE the designs and share them for the fun of the contest.

"Our design team narrowed it down to 9 finalists not based on the number of loves on Colourlovers - because patterns that were created at the beginning of the contest would have an unfair advantage to those created toward the end. As for not picking a winner, but rather narrowing it down to 9, we decided to do that because we were so thrilled with the volume and quality of submissions that we wanted to keep the love going!" - Jared @ Betabrand

The nine finalists in no particular order... Hipster Plaid by bcrider cloud nine by martino *colour hunter* by Sunny21327 

Subscribe & Share



Subscribe via RSSSubscribe via Email


big thanks to @unsplash and their photographers for all the amazing photos.



Tweet this ArticleFollow @COLOURlovers


//View More 
7 Valid Reminds for Increasing Client Leads as a Web Designer


The Importance of Color in a Logo Design: How to Choose the Right One?

Latest Fashion Colors


Latest Fashion Palettes


Latest Fashion Patterns


© 2018 COLOURlovers. All Rights Reserved