Style guide
What colours go together in clothes
Colour can make an outfit, or confuse it. A few simple rules make it easy to combine colours with confidence.
By Style Finder · Updated 26 October 2026
AI illustrationIn short
- Neutrals (navy, black, grey, white, beige, camel) go with almost everything.
- Tonal outfits use shades of one colour.
- Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel and contrast boldly.
- When in doubt, one colour plus neutrals.
Start with neutrals
Navy, black, grey, white, cream, beige, camel and denim blue are the base of most wardrobes. They go with each other and with almost any colour, so an outfit built on neutrals can take one bright piece easily.
Four ways to combine colours
| Approach | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral plus one | Neutrals with one colour | Navy, white and a red scarf |
| Tonal | Several shades of one colour | Cream, beige and camel |
| Analogous | Neighbours on the colour wheel | Blue and green; rust and mustard |
| Complementary | Opposites on the colour wheel | Navy and orange; purple and yellow |
Tips
- Repeat a colour twice in an outfit, such as shoes and bag, to tie it together.
- Keep strong colours to one or two pieces.
- Colours near your face matter most: choose ones that suit your skin tone.
- Patterns count as their main colour.
Questions
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