Your wardrobe should not only flatter you, but also allow your clothes to harmonize with each other. Knowing which color combinations work and which don't is essential. In this article, we will explore the best clothing color combinations, providing you with a handy guide to effortlessly creating stylish outfits.
Colors that go with everything are white, gray, black, navy, khaki, brown, olive, and light blue.
What Colors Go Together Well?
Let's start by discussing some of the best color combinations:
- Navy blue and khaki
- Black and white
- Green and earthy browns
- Burgundy and gray
- Navy blue and pink
- Olive green and beige
- Red and mustard yellow
- Gray and light pink
- Dark brown and light blue
- Blue and cyan
- Dark green and pink
- Beige and brown
- Orange and gray
- Bright red and army green
- Red and light blue
- Charcoal grey and light blue
- Olive green and navy blue
- Beige and maroon
- Red and black
- Navy and light blue
- Burgundy and light brown
- Gray and black
- Khaki and pastel yellow
- Red and gray
- Navy blue and red
- Blue and turquoise
- Orange and brown
- Red and earthy browns
- Olive green and yellow
- Yellow and brown
- Beige and blue
- Olive green and maroon
- Burgundy and light blue
- Dark green and tan
- Navy blue and mustard yellow
- Yellow and forest green
- Navy and white
The Best Clothing Color Combinations for Men
To understand how to match colors for clothes, it's important to familiarize yourself with the color wheel. This visual guide to the color spectrum allows you to see how different colors relate to each other based on their position on the wheel. It's a valuable tool for creating balanced outfits.
Basic Color Coordination Principles
Before we dive into specific color combinations, let's cover some basic principles of color coordination. Familiarize yourself with these terms:
- Hues: These are colors in their most pure, vivid form. They are bold colors.
- Tints: Tints are hues that have been mixed with white, resulting in light colors or pastels.
- Shades: Shades are hues that have been mixed with black, creating dark colors.
- Tones: Tones are hues that have been mixed with white and black, producing gray undertones. These are also known as muted colors.
When combining colors in your outfit, aim for a contrast in intensity between the colors for visual interest.
Analogous Color Combinations
Analogous colors are located next to each other on the color wheel and appear similar. These colors are easy to match because of their close relationship. However, be cautious not to choose colors that are too closely matched, as this can create a mismatched look. Remember, a subtle contrast between analogous colors is key.
Complementary Color Combinations
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel and offer the strongest contrast. When combining complementary colors, ensure there is contrast in brightness between the two colors. This combination creates a bold look, but it's important to avoid pairing them at too high an intensity to prevent a color clash. Consider using the split complementary approach, which involves combining a color with the color next to its opposite on the wheel for a slightly less intense contrast.
Triadic Color Combinations
Triadic colors are three colors equidistant from each other on the color wheel. While wearing all three colors can be challenging, you can choose two colors from a triad and wear them together. It's important to create contrast in intensity when using triadic color combinations. One color should be lighter or darker than the other for the best effect.
Monochromatic Color Combinations
In monochromatic outfits, you combine colors that belong to the same hue but differ in intensity. This creates a cohesive look. For example, pairing light blue with dark blue or a muted green with light green. Monochromatic outfits can be stylish and versatile.
Color combinations for men
What Colors Go with Everything?
Neutrals are the best colors to combine with any outfit. They include white, gray, and black, as well as navy, brown, khaki, olive, and light blue. Neutrals blend well with other colors and provide balance in your outfit.
Matching Specific Colors
Here are some tips for matching specific colors:
Red Clothes
Pair red with neutrals like white, black, gray, or navy to make the bold color pop. Earthy browns and contrasting colors like blue, yellow, and green also work well with red. Remember to consider the intensity of the colors for a harmonious look.
Green Clothes
While green is less common in a man's wardrobe, darker greens and olive tones can be quite flattering. Pair green with white, black, earthy browns, or beige for a natural look. Blue and yellow, as analogous colors, also complement green well. Additionally, dark green pairs beautifully with contrasting pink.
Yellow Clothes
Yellow is a vibrant color that can be overwhelming in large quantities. Consider using it as an accent color for accessories. Pair yellow with neutral colors like white, brown, black, or navy for a balanced outfit. Yellow also works well with green, blue, red, or purple as accent colors.
Navy Clothes
Navy is considered a neutral color that pairs well with white, light brown, and pink. It provides a pleasing contrast with lighter tints of blue. Navy also complements red, orange, and brown, creating stylish looks. Just remember to avoid wearing black in large quantities when pairing it with navy.
Burgundy Clothes
Burgundy is a classic color that matches well with neutrals such as white, gray, and light brown. It also pairs surprisingly well with navy. Consider adding light blues or yellow accents to complement the dark shade of red.
Orange Clothes
Orange can be challenging to pair, but there are various shades to choose from. Rust orange looks great on paler skin types, while coral complements darker skin tones. Match orange with gray, brown, black, or white for a stylish combination. For bolder looks, consider pairing orange with blue-violet or yellow.
Beige Clothes
Beige is a versatile neutral color that pairs well with any other color. It harmonizes nicely with different shades of brown and complements green and blue. In summer, combine beige with white or light pastel hues for a fresh look. For more contrast, beige works well with navy, maroon, or darker browns.
Pink Clothes
Pink is often associated with femininity, but it can create perfectly masculine outfits. Combine light pink with neutrals like navy, black, white, beige, and gray for a stylish ensemble. Dark green also pairs well with light pink. For bolder choices, experiment with blue-violet or yellow-green shades.
Blue Clothes
Blue is a staple color in menswear due to its versatile and effortlessly stylish appeal. Pair blue with white, black, or gray for a classic combination. Brown creates a beach-inspired look when combined with blue. Blue also provides eye-catching contrasts with yellow, brown, red, and orange. You really can't go wrong with blue.
Black Clothes
Black is often believed to go with everything, but there are a few exceptions. Avoid pairing black with colors that are almost as dark, as this can create a muddy appearance. Pair black with light or vibrant colors for the best effect. It looks particularly good when contrasted against bold or light colors.
White Clothes
White is the ultimate neutral color that goes with everything except off-white. You can pair white with any hue, shade, tint, or tone. It's a timeless wardrobe staple that adds freshness to any outfit.
Gray Clothes
Gray, whether light or dark, pairs well with lighter or brighter colors. It allows other colors to stand out, making it the perfect support color. Pair gray with red, green, blue, or orange for stylish combinations. Avoid combining gray with other muted colors, as this can result in a dull appearance.
Brown Clothes
Brown is a safe color that can be paired with almost any other color. It looks especially good with white, blue, and green. For a more adventurous look, try combining brown with orange or yellow for fantastic results. Different shades of brown create an appealing earthy appearance.
In Conclusion
With the color combination chart provided in this article, you now have a reference to help you choose the perfect colors for your outfits. However, wouldn't it be even better to have the knowledge and intuition to effortlessly match clothes without relying on a cheat sheet?
If you're interested in mastering the art of matching clothes, I invite you to check out Effortless Outfits, my book on the subject. In this book, I share everything I've learned about matching colors, patterns, shoes, accessories, and more. With this knowledge, you can confidently step out of your door looking great and feeling awesome every day.
Are you ready to elevate your style and become a master of matching clothes?
