The combinations that never fail
How to Match Clothes Colors
Matching clothes colors seems like a matter of instinct, but almost every outfit that works follows the same three or four rules. And the most elegant combinations aren’t the boldest ones: they play with neutrals and add, at most, one color.
First, the rules. Then the easiest combinations with real looks that wear them, and the accent colors that work best on each base.
The rules that never fail
Three colors at most
Shoes and bag included. With two neutrals and one color, the look feels intentional; with five, it feels messy.
Neutrals as the base
Black, white, grey, beige, brown, navy and denim go with each other almost always. With them on the larger part of the look, any color fits on top.
Tone on tone
Wearing one color in several shades — beige with cream and camel, light grey with charcoal — is the easiest way to look elegant without thinking.
Color on a single piece
If you wear a strong color, keep it to one piece (the sweater, the bag, the sneakers) and repeat it at most in one small detail.
Black and white
The safest combination there is. It works in any style: with jeans and sneakers by day, with tailoring at night.
Beige and white
Bright and calm. It’s the base of coastal style and quiet luxury: linen, knits and cotton in natural tones.
Brown and white
Warmer than black and white, just as easy. Chocolate brown or camel with off-white always looks considered.
Brown and beige
The earth palette: tone on tone, in warm. It’s the base of old money style and works best in fall and winter.
Grey and black
Urban and understated. Very streetwear and minimalist: play with different greys and keep black for the coat or the shoes.
Denim and white
The year-round uniform: denim with a white tee, shirt or sweater. Change only the shoes and it works for class, the office or a casual dinner.
Accent colors on a neutral base
Burgundy
On grey, camel, denim or black. A burgundy sweater, bag or loafers lift any neutral look.
Olive green
With beige, white, brown and denim. It’s almost another neutral: perfect for an overshirt, cargos or a jacket.
Navy
With white, beige, camel and grey. The softer alternative to black: a blazer, a sweater or pleated trousers.
Red or pink
On a single piece, with everything else neutral: red with black, white or denim; pink with grey, beige or brown.
More plans, more looks
Frequently asked questions
How many colors can you wear in one outfit?
The easiest is three at most, shoes and bag included: two neutrals and one color, or a single color in several shades. More than that can look messy without practice.
Which colors go with everything?
The neutrals: black, white, grey, beige, brown, navy and denim. They go with each other and with almost any accent color.
Can you wear black and brown together?
Yes. It works best when one of them dominates (for example, a camel coat over all black) and when the brown is warm, like camel or chocolate.
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