Colour combinations are an easy way to reinvigorate your wardrobe. Pairing some of your classic pieces with surprising pops of colour (a tangerine scarf, an unexpected red shoe, or a deep blue pant) is an easy way to elevate an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.
In this guide, we will explore clothing colour combinations you can use to take your wardrobe to the next level.
Classic colour combinations that never go out of style
Some timeless looks never go out of style and appear fashion-forward no matter the season. Here are some classic colour combinations that transcend what’s trending.
Black and white
The queen of all classic colour combinations is – you guessed it – black and white. There is never a season where this combination doesn’t look chic, cool, and elegant.
An enduring combination that always looks polished is a crisp white shirt and black pants. For example, this outfit was worn by French actress and model Clemence Poesy to a Chanel Dinner Event in 2009. Over a decade later, her outfit would still be on point at any event.
Navy and white
White and navy always looks fresh and windswept. This nautical favourite is a staple in preppy culture. It’s refined enough for work but equally looks great on a summer holiday or weekend outing.
Here’s an example of an incredibly chic look using navy and white, worn by the always-stylish Julianne Moore at Fashion Week.
Beige and black
Beige and black go so well together because the beige brings warmth while the black adds depth to your look. It’s a minimal combination that looks stylish and expensive.
A tan trenchcoat and black boots go incredibly well together. Here’s a playful take on that look from the Christian Dior Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear collection.
Gray and camel
Grey and camel create a soft and sophisticated look. Much like beige and black, it’s a minimalistic look with an interesting contrast.
Here’s an example of how timeless this combination is from Calvin Klein’s Fall Collection from 1995.
Red and pink
Bold and beautiful, red and pink are a surprisingly harmonious combination.
Back in the 1950s to 1970s, this combination was considered a faux pas. However, in the 1980s, designers like Valentino popularised the combination. It now remains a staple of the high fashion world.
Here’s a modern yet ageless look from the Valentino Fall Fashion Show in 2019.
Brown and cream
Brown and cream are an earthy yet contemporary combination. It’s a minimal and confident combination that has a lot of warmth from both the brown and the yellow undertone of cream.
Here’s a stylish look from Swedish fashion model Elsa Hosk walking the streets of Paris.
Classics never go out of fashion. Whether you look at Audrey Hepburn in black and white, Jackie Kennedy in navy and white, or modern fashion influencers, these pairings are always sophisticated.
And the great news is that these looks are easy to replicate. All you need is a few staple pieces to mix and match. If you have these at home, but they need a little love and attention, bring them to your local LookSmart store. We can help with alterations, repairs, invisible mending, dry cleaning, and more.
Now, let’s explore how you can take your look a step further with some bold colour choices.
Bold colours: making a statement with style
Sometimes you want to take your look to the next level or stand out in a crowd. If you want to be fashion-forward, these colour combinations will turn heads.
Red and green
Red and green is a luxurious and rich-looking pairing and is often seen in regal or vintage-inspired looks. The red adds warmth, while the green brings vibrancy and balance.
Here’s a stunning green and red look from the Victoria Beckham Resort 2023 Fashion Show.
Blue and yellow
Blue’s cool undertones contrast beautifully with yellow’s warmth, creating a combination that feels light, buttery, and effortlessly classic.
Style icon Cate Blanchett wears this colour combination with finesse at the Roksanda Fashion Show in 2020.
Pink and green
Pink and green is such a vibrant and fun combination. When it’s light pink and green, it has a soft, romantic feel. If you go for hot pink and emerald green, you’re blending femininity with strength.
This look from Kris Goyri’s Mexico City Fall 2022 Collection is bright, fun and incredibly fashionable.
Orange and purple
Purple and orange is a regal combination that creates a bold, high-impact look. It feels both sophisticated but also adventurous.
For example, here’s a stunning orange dress with a purple handbag worn at the Valentino Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show.
How and where you wear bold, colourful outfits depends on your personal style. For example, if you tend to wear natural colours during your work week, choosing a colourful pairing might make a weekend event or holiday feel more special and exotic.
Two tips for going bold with colour:
1. When choosing a colour pairing, make sure you’re picking the best colours for your complexion. Every skin tone has its own set of colours they look best with – and ones they don’t.
2. Fit is the most important style tip. If your clothes don’t fit properly, it doesn’t matter what colours you choose. To be at the top of your style game, visit the professionals at LookSmart for high-quality alterations that tailor any piece (old or brand-new) to your unique shape.
Now that we’ve covered the bold, let’s take a look at some effortless neutrals you’ll want to have in your collection.
Neutral tones for versatile wardrobe staples
Neutral tones are wardrobe staples. Colours like black, white, brown, beige and grey go well with most bright colours and they also look good paired together. This versatility allows for endless colour combinations, which makes them perfect staples for your timeless and sustainable wardrobe.
Your neutral pieces will also help you take your look from day to night. For example, if you are wearing a beige blazer and white pants to work, you can swap your beige blazer for a black one and add heels to take your look to evening glamour.
On top of this, by layering different neutral shades, you can create depth and interest in your look. Monochromatic looks with slightly different shades of brown or beige can look incredibly chic and well-put-together, especially when you add in different textures like wool, silk or linen to bring the colours to life.
Colour combinations to boost your height and elongate your body
Colour can play tricks on the eye. One way you can use this to your advantage is by using colour to create the illusion of a taller silhouette.
Here are some combinations you can use to elongate your body.
Monochrome
Monochrome combinations create a seamless vertical line, making you appear taller. By preventing a visual break where your hips or waist are, you can draw the eye to look up and down, rather than side to side.
It doesn’t have to be in neutral colours. Here’s a stunning example from model Karlie Kloss showcasing how elegant a colourful monochrome outfit can look.
Beige with matching shoes
Much like the monochrome illusion, wearing an outfit that matches your shoes, typically in beige, extends your leg line and gives the illusion of longer legs.
Here’s a great example worn by Angelina Jolie looking tall in all beige.
Dark bottoms with a lighter-coloured top
A light top naturally draws the eye upward, making your torso look longer and your legs taller. One way you could do this is by wearing navy pants with a white top.
Here’s an example from Margaret Howell’s Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show.
Vertical colour blocking
Unlike horizontal lines or patterns that widen your body, vertical lines create length and continuity, making your body look taller.
Vertical stripes would be a fantastic dress option for someone wanting to elongate their silhouette. Here is an example from the Koché Spring 2024 Collection.
Precise tailoring is another way to make sure your clothes fit and flatter, whatever the occasion. If you purchase something new for your wardrobe and it doesn’t fit quite right, rather than returning it, bring it to the experts at LookSmart. We’ll be able to alter the garment to fit you as though it was custom-made.
Colour combinations for special occasions
When you choose the right colour combination, you can instantly elevate your look for a special occasion. Here are some common event types and colours that will help you look stylish and put together.
Weddings: A romantic setting, like a wedding, is a great place to wear a light pastel combination. A blush pink and sage green combination would look soft and elegant.
Christmas: Rich and festive tones will help you shine during the holidays. A deep red and gold will create a classic warm look, perfect for a Christmas gathering.
New Year’s Eve: A great chance to shine, wearing a combination of black and silver will add a touch of glamour to your New Year’s Eve.
Business events: Navy and white is an ageless combination that will convey confidence and make you look put together.
Networking: When you are networking you want to stand out in the crowd for the right reasons. Beige and red can balance neutral professional tones with a bright pop of colour.
A girls’ weekend: For a playful and fun girls’ weekend or bachelorette party, you can wear bright feminine colours, like tangerine and hot pink.
Sustainable styling: colour and fit for longevity
If you want to build a wardrobe you’ll love for years to come, it all starts with the right colour combinations. When you go shopping for new items, it pays to think about how you could wear them with the colours you already have.
Both colour and fit are what will make your wardrobe truly timeless. As we showed before, even outfits from over two decades ago still look beautiful and elegant today because of their carefully paired colours and perfect fit.
When you invest in classic pieces like a well-tailored blazer, structured trousers, or a flattering dress, you’ll always reach for them.
Summing up
If you want your wardrobe to be enduring and versatile, you’ll need two things: colour selections and fit. When you combine classic hues with expertly tailored clothes, you’ll look like you just walked off the runway.
If you have clothes you love but no longer reach for, it’s time to bring them to LookSmart. Our expert tailors can adjust, refine, and elevate your favourite pieces and make them last for years. We can also provide styling advice that gets you the most of your wardrobe’s potential.
FAQs
How can I tell what colours look good together?
Often colours that look good together are on the opposite sides of the colour wheel. For example, red and green, purple and yellow, and blue and yellow are all what we call complementary colours.
What are the happiest colours?
Typically we associate the happiness emotion with colours that are bright, like yellow, orange, pink and red. Some people find that if they wear yellow, it actually makes them feel happier. But ultimately, the happiest colours will be the ones you feel the most confident in!
What colours of clothes don’t go well together?
Fashion rules always have their exceptions, and many believe they are supposed to be broken! However, in traditional wisdom, yellow and brown, brown and black, white and cream, and navy and black do not go well together.
Sources:
[1] Pinterest: French actress and model Clemence Poesy out at a Chanel Dinner Event. Sourced 2009.
[2] Emirates Woman: Ralph Lauren Ricky Drawstring | New Celebrity It Bag. Sourced February 2015.
[3] Vogue Runway: Christian Dior Fall 2024 Ready-To-Wear. Sourced February 2024.
[4] Pinterest: Calvin Klein’s Fall Collection from 1995. Sourced 1995.
[5] Vogue Runway: Valentino Fall Fashion Show. Sourced 2019.
[6] Glamour: Cool Girl Bag. Sourced April 2023.
[7] Vogue Runway: Victoria Beckham Resort. Sourced 2023.
[8] Popsugar: Cate Blanchett’s Style Is Undeniably Elegant, but These 15 Looks Surpassed Our Expectations. Sourced May 2020.
[9] Pinterest: Kris Goyri Mexico City Fall 2022 Collection. Sourced 2022.
[10] Business of Fashion: Valentino Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show. Sourced 2021.
[11] SATYAM Fashion Institute: Get ready with pastels. Sourced October 2021.
[12] Vogue: Angelina Jolie Hits the New York Streets in a Chic New Look. Sourced September 2017.
[13] Vogue Runway: Margaret Howell Sprint Ready To Wear. Sourced 2018.
[14] Vogue Runway: Koche. Sourced 2024.
[15] DecoArt: Color Wheel. Sourced October 2021.
Fashion is not just about patterns and designs – it’s also about understanding the right colour combinations to bring out your best assets. However, colour can also be used for a bit of trickery, making you look taller than you really are. Here are some tips to implement if you could use a hand in the height department.
1. Opt for contrasting colours
This is especially true of dark and light colour combinations. For example, having a dark pair of pants contrasted against a light-coloured top makes your legs look longer, elongating your body. A good trick here as well is to reverse this when it comes to jackets or coats, having a dark top with light coloured bottoms.
2. Use columns of colour
This means sticking to one colour scheme head to toe. The reason behind this is that each time we change colour on our clothing, we halt the flow, therefore shortening the body. The best example here is when wearing a suit, both for males and females. Wear the same colour jacket and pants and mix it up with a different coloured top to create some interest. In this situation, the eye is still seeing the main colour (the suit) and sees the two pieces of clothing as one, drawing the eye from top to bottom in one swoop.
Another way to do this is to colour blend. This means wearing a single colour, for example red, on top and blending that with a red and black pair of pants or skirt. Again, the eye is only seeing the red.
3. Reduce the contrast
Yes, it’s the direct opposite of point one, but both seem to work. Consider a monochromatic colour scheme, where all the colours of your outfit are actually different tints, tones and shades of a single hue. This presents a coherent visual image, forcing people to see you vertically rather than horizontally.
In this case, dark colours work best as they recede into the body, making you look leaner and taller, rather than emphasising the change in clothing. Of course, black on black is the best example, however other dark colours such as navy, grey, dark brown or deep green work just as well.
4. Find the colours that marry well
Analogous colours are those that are naturally pleasing to the eye and tend to blend together. While monochromatic are shades of the same colour, analogous colours are different colours that work well together. A good example of an analogous colour-scheme is a landscape.
Consider the horizon where sea and sky seem to blend together, or a forest where there are so many different colours of green and brown, yet they’re similar, so they tend to merge. In clothing, the best example would be a light grey shirt or t-shirt with denim jeans. There is little contrast between top and bottom, creating a streamlined look. This stretches the body vertically, making you appear taller than you really are.
Another good example is green and blue – neighbouring colours on the colour wheel. Again, because dark colours work best to lengthen the frame, darker shades of green (such as olive or hunter green) will work best.
Tan and white or light blue will also elongate the body, and are perfect colours for a summer look.
5. Soft Pastels
Soft pastels, such as casual wear or formal attire sporting blush pink and peach colours, create a lengthening effect by providing a subtle monochromatic look that gives the illusion of height. These light and comfy tones minimise contrast, keeping your silhouette consistent and making you appear taller.
Furthermore, wearing pastels in tone-on-tone shades by layering from the same colour family ensures a seamless vertical line. Soft pastels enhance this effect, and wearing pastel footwear or accessories maintains the elongated appearance without breaking your frame.
6. Tone-on-Tone Neutrals
Neutral colours like cream, soft taupe, and beige create a taller look by blending closely related shades in one outfit without appearing almost too monochromatic. Tone-on-tone neutrals offer a pinch of subtleness to your outfit, allowing the eye to glide smoothly from your head to toe.
Moreover, layering multiple textures from the same neutral family adds a beautiful touch of depth while maintaining a continuous line. Tailoring pieces in neutral shades streamline your body shape. Adding matching shoes to your outfit can further enhance the lengthening effect.
7. Stripe it up
There are some patterns that can work in your favour when trying to look taller. Vertical stripes will force the eye up and down rather than across, so they’re your best bet. Even better are thin vertical stripes in darker colour combinations.
8. Pop of Colour in Accessories
Wearing accessories that add a pop of colour can boost your outfit’s visual interest without ruining its elongated effect. When wearing neutral or monochromatic outfits, you can consider adding a touch of bold accessory.
That includes a vibrant bag, colourful scarf, shoes, or other accessories that draw attention to certain areas while keeping the overall look.
It’s best to put the accessory closer to your face or waistline to maintain the flow of colour from your outfit. Doing so keeps the silhouette sleek and taller while allowing you to include a touch of personality and style.
9. Shoes, shoes and more shoes
While they’re not something that many people consider ‘part of the outfit’, shoes can actually make or break your look, especially when trying to evoke a sense of height. Wear the wrong shoes and you can actually jar the look completely, rather than creating the flow needed.
Trying to ensure your shoes are the same colour as whatever is covering your legs creates a seamless flow from waist to toes. If you’re wearing a skirt with bare legs, consider a nude shoe. Or, if you plan on wearing black pants or a suit, definitely pop some black shoes on.
By doing this, the eye struggles to distinguish where your legs finish and your feet start, making your legs look longer than they really are and creating the illusion of height.
Experiment to see what works
Of course, don’t be afraid to mix and match these tips and tricks. Dark colours can be included in every outfit choice and patterns can be mixed with plain clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wearing high-contrast colours make me look shorter?
It depends on your outfit and the amount of layering involved. But to put it simply, wearing high-contrast colours can make you appear shorter by creating a horizontal break at the point where the colours meet.
For example, a white shirt on a black pair of trousers. The stark contrast draws attention to different body parts, making you appear shorter. To avoid this, opt for similar neutral tones or a monochromatic look to maintain a lengthening effect.
Are darker colours always better for a taller look?
While darker colours can indeed enhance your appearance and make you look taller, they aren’t always the best choice. Dark fabric shades like navy, black, and deep charcoal can create a slimming look with a streamlined silhouette.
But the real key is to opt for a monochromatic or tonal outfit that maintains a continuous vertical line—regardless of darkness. Even light and pastel colours can work as well, provided that you wear a cohesive and well-fitted ensemble.
What are the best colour combinations for petite figures?
Similar to the rest of the body shapes, the ideal colour combinations for petite figures are those that create a streamlined, lengthening effect. Monochromatic looks like those sporting navy, peach, or natural tones offer depth without disrupting your natural vertical line.
Consider experimenting with cream, soft grey, or beige colours. What matters is that you maintain a cohesive and well-fitted tone and style.
You can also experiment with combinations such as mint and lavender, or pale yellow and soft blue, as they all add interest without ruining the subtle, height-boosting look.
How do accessories affect my overall height appearance?
Large, bulky accessories can be overwhelming for petite frames and make you look even shorter. On the other hand, sleek, minimal pieces balance your overall look.
Vertical accessories like pendant necklaces or scarves can also enhance vertical lines and draw the eyes downward, enhancing the vertical effect. Belts that match your outfit’s colour can also help define the waist without breaking the vertical line in the middle.
Avoid wearing oversized bags and wide belts to maintain the visual flow. Choose accessories that complement your proportions to enhance a taller, more elegant look.
Can layering different tones help elongate my body?
Yes, and in more ways than you can imagine! Using shades from the same colour family will visually stretch your silhouette. Layering them on top of each other will surely boost this effect and add a touch of interest to your outfit without breaking the visual flow.
Think about wearing a light blouse layered with a slightly darker coat or jacket—that would definitely be runway-worthy and boost the lengthening effect! Ensure you maintain a harmonious blend on all pieces and avoid high-contrast colours that ruin the style and elongated appearance.
