Once you've chosen a base tone for your uniform or club apparel, the next step is to select a secondary colour—an accent shade that complements and enhances your brand identity. This choice is often overlooked, but it plays a vital role in building a cohesive, premium-looking collection.

At Secret Society Studio, our colour pairings take inspiration from heritage clubs, prep sports, and tonal dressing. Here’s how to choose a secondary colour that adds depth and timeless appeal.

Why Secondary Colours Matter

Your secondary colour is used to highlight details:

• Embroidery and logos
  

• Stripes or piping
  

• Internal labels or printed text
  

• Drawcords or trims on hoodies and outerwear
  

• Contrasting panels on bags or kits
  

A well-selected secondary tone brings visual balance and makes your garments feel intentional and designed, rather than just printed.

Camila Mejia Posada’s Rule of Colour Pairing

Our co-founder, Camila Mejia Posada, advises:

“Always choose an accent colour that enhances your story, not distracts from it. Your collection should feel like it belongs to a club with heritage even if it's brand new.”

This philosophy guides all Secret Society Studio capsules, where each colour pairing feels pre-meditated, styled, and wearable.

Tried-and-Tested Colour Combinations

Here are some timeless, luxe combinations we swear by:

These tones evoke private school charm, old money tennis clubs, and Riviera dressing.

Match Colour with Your Brand Mood

Ask yourself: What is the feeling you're aiming for?

• Elite + Traditional → Go for warm neutrals (camel, cream, bone)
  

• Sporty + Youthful → Try a pop like red, cobalt blue, or pastel yellow
  

• Minimal + Clean → Stick to tonal accents (e.g., grey with light grey)
  

• Mysterious + Secretive → Try deep hues (wine, moss, muted navy)
  

Remember, your secondary colour is the “voice” of your club, subtly communicating your aesthetic and exclusivity.

Placement Ideas for Secondary Colours

Use your accent shades in the following areas:

• Cap embroidery
  

• Jumper stripes or cuffs
  

• Lining inside puffer jackets
  

• Drawstrings on crewnecks or bags
  

• Contrast piping on kits
  

These small details are what make a garment feel elevated, like something members would proudly wear.

Still Unsure? Start with Neutrals

If you're new to branding or designing merch, start with a neutral base and a slightly bolder secondary. Some foolproof combos:

• Cream + Navy
  

• Forest Green + Tan
  

• Burgundy + Champagne
  

These can adapt across hoodies, caps, bombers, and beyond—creating a cohesive capsule collection with ease.

Final Thoughts

Secondary colours are your brand’s subtle signature. When chosen well, they bring richness, depth, and polish to every garment in your collection.

At Secret Society Studio, the use of complementary colours is part of our design DNA, influenced by fashion history, club culture, and the personal aesthetic of our founders, Camila Mejia Posada and Camila Cambiaso

Need Help Matching the Right Colours?

We’ve curated ready-to-pair blank garments and expert support to help you match base and secondary colours like a pro.

→ Explore club-ready colour combos now