The 20 Best Colors to Wear Together Any Time

Though you can never go wrong with a monochromatic outfit, there’s also something to be said of a multicolored number—and it doesn’t need to be complicated either. When done right, an outfit comprised of at least two colors is effortless and eye-catching. The trick, of course, is knowing the best colors to wear together, i.e., finding shades that complement each other rather than clash.

In fact, InStyle editors scoured the internet to see how street style stars are combining colors in their wardrobes—and we’re rounding up our favorites, ahead. For every color, there are myriad shades to choose from, each with its own unique feel and personality. From vibrant examples of dopamine dressing to more muted takes on color blocking, you’re bound to find a look that suits your personal style.

Keep reading to learn 20 different color pairings to spark some inspiration.

Pink and Green

Green and pink is a classic combination. Here, a bright Kelly green perfectly balances a soft pink, which gives floral hints. Wear a pink top with green bottoms to look like a rose. If you’re going to opt for a jacket, it should match the hue of the top—lest you want it to look like you’re wearing a suit.

Green and Blue

Because blue is one of the primary colors used to make green, the two tones go really well together. Pair it with a white shoe to add a neutral tone and drape a knit sweater over your shoulders for a preppy vibe.

Pink and Red

Pink and red isn’t a color combination only for Valentine’s Day. A red crocheted sweater is fashionable over a pair of pink metallic pants. Because you’re mixing textures, this combo is rich in dimension and color.

Yellow and Pink

Wearing the primary color yellow with a softer color like pink is also a great way to color block. You can incorporate prints in the pants and structure in the top to add interest to the outfit. As far as picking shoes, it’s best to wear a color if you’re looking to elongate your legs.

Green and Purple

It’s admittedly surprising how well this color combination works. However, we love that the green skirt supports the blue and purple in this outfit’s top. That said, a solid purple shirt would go just as well with this shade of green.

Purple and Orange

Purple is also a great complement to a warm orange, as it adds a coolness to the warm tone. The outfit photographed above pairs a patterned orange jacket with a cream-colored top that has purple and orange stripes, which plays with hues and patterns. To tie the look together, the bottoms are a deep purple.

Green and Yellow

In addition to playing with color blocking, this outfit also layers beautifully. The long, canary yellow blazer covers the hips of the crinkled green skirt. The garment elongates the upper body and brightens up the outfit all at once.

Pink and Blue

Pink and blue go together in different settings: a beautiful sunset, nurseries, cotton candy. Why couldn’t this also be applied to clothes? This look brings texture with the faux fur coat in pink and dimension with the silk outfit and boots in different shades of blue.

Blue and Orange

Color blocking isn’t limited to wearing a top in one color and bottoms in another. As this model illustrates, you can also color block by accessorizing your top. The orange vest brings warmth (and a stylish utilitarian vibe) to the cool tones of the blue.

Orange and Yellow

For an outfit that makes you look like a flame personified, consider pairing orange with yellow. Here, the model wears an orange top with a yellow skirt, but you could also do the reverse. If you want to lean all the way into the fiery look, consider adding a red handbag.

Orange and Green

If you want to channel a tropical oasis, combine orange with green. The warmth from the orange will be countered by the more muted green and it’ll give you a down-to-earth vibe.

Purple and Pink

If you want to look like a vision from Barbie, your best bet is to pair pink and purple together. You might do that by wearing a pink skirt with a purple top. Or, as the model does here, by covering up a pink dress with a purple button-up top.

Yellow and Blue

Like orange and green, blue and yellow go well together because one shade’s coolness balances the other’s warmth—just see the outfit above as proof. Warm, mustard-yellow pants combine with various shades of cool blue à la shoes, bag, and jacket, feeling colorful but not overdone.

Blue and Red

Since red is one of the warmest colors there is, blue is good to pair with it for a color-block look. It adds a cool and effortless vibe that’s not always there when you wear red. If you’re going for a fancy-yet-sporty look, try a Tiffany blue blouse and tomato red Bermuda shorts.

Red and Green

On the color wheel, red and green sit directly across from each other—which makes them opposite. Opposite colors work really well when color blocking because they make a cohesive look. In this case, opposites don’t just attract—they bring out the best in each other.

Red and Yellow

Two primary colors, like yellow and red, tend to go well together. This outfit pairs a bright red dress with pastel yellow pants, which is the best approach to take. Remember: Cool tones can create balance when paired with brighter tones, which is the case here.

Pink and Orange

Two bright colors also go well together and help call attention to your ‘fit. While the model in this photo is wearing a hot pink hoodie with peach orange pants, you could also wear a skirt and top as well as a dress with a blazer or coat on top. It’d make the perfect going-out outfit.

Red and Orange

Velma from Scooby-Doo was on to something when she paired an orange turtleneck with a red skirt. These two colors are great for each other since they are both on the warmer side of the spectrum. The best part? This look will work regardless of the shades that you decide to pair together.

Purple and Yellow

Here, the model wears a light purple coat over a darker purple dress with yellow boots. You might also consider making the dress yellow and the boots purple. There is truly no shortage of ways to combine regal purple with gold-like yellow.

Red and Purple

Red with purple gives retro vibes and it’s hard not to be a fan. A red and purple jacket, like the one shown here, is fabulous, but you can also wear this color combo in patterned pants or in a maxi dress.