Let’s face it: Black is the go-to color for almost everyone. Most of us zero in on the simple, classic black and white pieces on a rack while completely ignoring colors with names like fuchsia or chartreuse.
Why are bright, fun colors so often overlooked? We are secretly terrified of styling them the wrong way. Every woman has her own set of color matching rules that has been passed down – most of them restrictive, involving more don’ts than yass. But in reality, you can wear more colors together than you think. This easy guide to matching colors will have you fearlessly rocking ruby red heels without Grandma’s belt-shoe-bag rule ringing in your ear.
Introducing: The Color Wheel
You may recognize this spinning little rainbow (albeit stationary for our purposes) from your many years of mandatory art classes — I know I used it for quite a few art projects back in the day. This circle of color is going to serve as a grown-up guide to matching colors. Trust me, it’s foolproof!
How to Match Colors: The Basics
Below, I’ll show you how to match different hues together for a harmonious ensemble.
Primary Colors
Red, blue, and yellow are known as the primary colors. All other colors come from a combination of these three hues. Primary colors can work great for a monochrome look, which means styling an outfit using only one color. This idea seems basic, but when executed correctly, appears modern and chic. Utilizing only one color lengthens and streamlines the body.
Products: Blouse – H&M, Jeans – Old Navy, Flats – DSW, Tote Bag – Naturalizer, Earrings – Anthropologie, Bracelets – Madewell
If the monochrome look isn’t your thing and you want to get a little more daring, you can also mix primary colors in one outfit for a bold look, as seen below:
Products: Tank Top – Gap, Blazer – H&M, Jeans – Levi’s, Bag – Michael Kors, Earrings – Forever 21, Rings – Etsy, Heels – Target
Complementary Colors
Finding complementary colors is simple: Pick any color on the color wheel (for diversity, try a secondary or tertiary color, i.e. any color that isn’t red, yellow, or blue), and trace your finger directly across the circle to the opposite portion of the wheel. What you will find is that the colors directly line up and appear to be opposites of one another. Some complementary pairings are: orange/blue, violet/yellow, turquoise/maroon.
Products: Blouse – Gap, Shorts – H&M, Necklace – LuLus, Bag – Kohl’s, Nail Polish – Saks, Sandals – Target
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are even easier to find on the wheel than complementary colors. Just pick any one color on the wheel, then choose the color to the right or the left of the original — you have found your palette. Hues that are similar to one another on the color wheel create a harmonious and cohesive look. Below, I created an outfit using red and pink – which many say don’t go together, but can actually be combined for a fabulously unexpected look.
Products: Dress – LuLus, Headband – H&M, Bag – J.Crew, Ring – Etsy, Heels – LuLus
Accent Color
So you’ve mastered the color wheel. You know how to pair a killer lemon heel with a navy romper. Sometimes, though, situations require more subdued and conservative looks. For example, as much as you would love to wear your summery brights year round, your boss isn’t exactly a fan of the color wheel (boo).
When you have to tone down the rainbow, try adding just a pop of color to your ensemble. Keep a neutral palette by using black, navy, or cream, and add just a hint of color in the right place. Fashion is all about self-expression and versatility.
Products: Blouse – ASOS, Blazer – H&M, Skirt – Old Navy, Bag – H&M, Heels – Nordstrom Rack, Earrings – J.Crew, Rings – Etsy
One Final Tip About Wearing Color
Before we go, I just want to leave you with a little reminder, in case you’re doubting your abilities to wear different hues.
Whatever you do, stop saying to yourself: “Well, black is supposed to be slimming. I cannot be caught dead in orange. Purple dress, purple shoes, purple flowers. (Oh my!)” Try refreshing your wardrobe with a little color, and a little confidence – you can do it! In reality, you can wear any color you want – it’s all about finding your most flattering shades and being willing to experiment.
Thoughts?
Do any of you have color matching rules your mother passed down to you? Do you think you only look good in certain colors based on skin tone or body type? Will you try to add more color in your wardrobe in the future? Let me know what you think!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2011; it was completely updated and revamped in 2018 by Sharon with new photos, outfit sets, and information.
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This is great!! I never know what colours go together and this has really hepled! 🙂
Thanks
This left me wanting more! loved it!
Great article and cute outfits! I usually just stick to black and grays but this definitely encourages me to try adding some color into my outfits. Thx!
Great article! Super thorough. I def. learned a few things 🙂
I love the color wheel you included! Great article and a lot of great tips and explanations !
Fantabulous(: !! Thank you for doing this! It’s really helpful
this is really awesome!! I will definitely be referencing this post in the future. I never studied art at school so while I know a bit about the colour wheel, this really helped. I love the teal and pink outfit, and I love just the mention of a navy romper with a yellow heel!!
Great job, Lexi!!
Charlotte
I love this! I also never took art so I never learned the whole color thing, not that I was totally clueless with colors, I just love this breakdown.
This is wonderful advice! I am getting more and more brave with mixing bright colors that I never thought would go together. A reference to the color wheel can really help a girl try something new. Also love that blue monochromatic look – I would wear it in a heartbeat.
One quick question: How do you buy Zara clothing items if you live in the US?
I love the color wheel idea. I’m also a graphic designer and the wheel is on everything!
(Sorry for my english)
I LOVEEE this post. I recently cut my hair off to go natural and because I no longer had long hair to hide behind I’ve had to spice up, yet simplify my style and have found myself re-working my clothes, cutting shorts, throwing earth tones and brights together and wearing multiple neutrals. For instance for work tomorrow, I’m wearing a casual lace knit LBD, a bright red shrunken sweater, a cream purse and cream alligator print heels. It looks perfectly sophisticated and elegant, yet with an edge just like me 🙂
Amazing post!! This was such a great article!
Love the complimentary combo and the analogous combo. Both are super summery and are a little more out of the box. Great inspiration as always. 🙂
Brilliant article, very helpful! 🙂
wow… love love love your post… great outfits…!
Great article! The color combinations are gorgeous! <3
Right, thanks for the link to the their website! I’m just not sure on how to add their clothes to a cart and buy them off their website.
besides your rules (very well explained by the way), I think of metallic as neutral colors.
Also, how do you prefer to use your handbag? as a twist or neutral in the outfit?
great article
all i want to know is what colors go with what colors is that to hard to ask the color wheels are confusing
I have found that burgundy (the deep red wine colour, not the plum tones) goes amazingly well with orange. For example, am wearing a burgundy velvet jacket, burgundy suede boots, with soft-as-butter Italian leather gloves in a ‘burnt’ orange colour, looks fabulous.
What if u wear brown boots
those go with anything
+remember black brown grey white go with anything
hey there…i would like to ask all fashion gurus a question
i have this dark blue trouser and light blue slim fit shirt
now the problem is that i dont know which type of jacket and what color would go with the combination
pllzzzzzz help me out
Jasmine – The image is appearing fine for me. Can you try refreshing the page? Are you seeing an error message or anything? Let me know so I can troubleshoot.
I would be great to include the triads color, too. The 3 colors that form the TRIANGLE. You can also wear those colors.
Great post. Thank you!!
this is very important for those who don’t know how to dress
Was brought up with “Blue and Green should never bee seen unless theres something inbetween” 😛
But this seems much better 😀
i dont think i look good in dark blue, because of my dirty blonde, slightly reddish hair, or at least not a light and a dark blue together
i dnt knw hw to mix clothes…..i need some advice
What color matches with green pant?
I thank God for this site..can I use yellow with blue
what colour of shoes, bag, fascinator go
with watermelon colour dress
Is there any color that does not go with light natural teal? Like the teal from the sea?
from beige and meaty colors like light salmon for shirt or jacket even a scarf and the shoes shes wearing with a accesory of a flashy greenish or blue color like a headband or a choker
I really like colors. It shows that we are living in a colorful world. And God is also beautiful and colorful. I appreciate your article. thank you so much.
Busybee.
This is awesome! thank you!
This is by far my favorite post on this site…EVER! Each outfit is gorgeous! Wow!!
I really enjoyed this post! The color wheel thing was actually new to me. Thank you! I’d love it, if you can post more of this topic.
I needed this yesterday I had this fushia color pants wore a white top and red shoes
My son always wore unmatching colors and he was upset. Now he matches colors his way and he likes it!!! Thank you!
I have this really pretty beige sweater, but I don’t know what color skirt to buy that will match! I would really appreciate some help!!! Thank you sooo much!!
I want my wedding colors to be brown, peach and lilac.