Rock your greens

Millennial spoken word poet and activist Amanda Gorman recently aced it in a stunning green Ghanaian kente. A stylist shares tips on wearing this eye-catching colour

Last month, Amanda Gorman added another fashionable feather to her cap. The 23-year-old American poet and activist shot to international fame after she read a poem from her book during the inauguration of US President Joe Biden in January 2021. Recently, for a fashion magazine cover, Gorman’s look comprised a green Ghanaian kente, designed by Virgil Abloh of Louis Vuitton. The vibrant colour is a bold choice and definitely a statement-making one, says fashion stylist Mitali Ambekar. 
 
As a highlight “According to colour theory, bright colours draw attention to the area where they are placed. While working with a bold green, you must ensure that the placement of the colour is on your best assets. For instance, if you have a narrow waist, accentuate it with a bold green belt on a neutral outfit,” Ambekar explains. If you aren’t comfortable wearing green from head to toe, as Meghan Markle famously did, play it safe by pairing it with neutrals. 

Mitali Ambekar

Bold greens pair well with tan, black, navy, cream, beige, grey and brown. You can incorporate the colour in subtle accents in your outfit, by wearing a bright green scarf, shoes, bag, belt or a statement necklace. Prints or patterns in bold green paired with complementing solid colours are also a great choice. For inspiration, look at Jennifer Lopez’s famous tropical Versace gown that she graced at the Milan Fashion Week in September 2019.

The right green 

When choosing a flattering shade of green, pay attention to your skin tone. If you have cool undertones, opt for greens that have a hint of blue; conversely, for those with warm undertones, choose greens that lean slightly towards yellow, says Ambekar. Jewel-toned greens work very well with lighter complexion and cooler skin tones, while earthy green colours compliment wheatish and deeper skin tones. 

Going all out 

For an over-the-top look, look no further than a head-to-toe bold green ensemble. “Tone it down with smaller chunks of complementing or neutral colours. Jewellery in gold and silver can be good add-ons. You can also elevate a monotone green outfit by playing with textures,” she adds. You can also pair your greens with contrasting colours such as red, purple, and yellow to create a look that turns heads.

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