3 Easy Ways to Pair Outfit Colors (That Always Work)

Style Guides
Written By Jenni Isojärvi

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If you've ever opened your closet and thought, "Do these colors go together?" you're not alone. Color choices can be intimidating, but with a few simple styling techniques, you can confidently create polished outfits.

In this post, I’m sharing 3 easy ways to pair outfit colors that work for any style, season, or color palette. These are the same methods I break down (with visual outfit examples) in my latest YouTube video—watch it here.

1. Monochromatic Color Combos

Monochromatic outfits consist of various shades, tints, or tones of a single color. This style is one of the simplest and most elegant ways to appear polished, even when wearing basic clothing.

For example:

  • A navy blazer, light blue shirt, and medium-wash jeans

  • Or a green turtleneck, forest green skirt, and dark green coat

The key to making it work? Vary the shades and textures to keep things visually interesting.

Color Tip: Since you're sticking to one hue, it's important to choose a color that flatters your skin tone.

  • Warm complexions tend to look best in warm shades (like coral, mustard, or terracotta)

  • Cool complexions shine in cooler hues (like blue, pink, or icy pastels)

  • Neutral complexions can often wear a wider range of colors

Want help finding your most flattering colors? Check out my Personalized Color Style Guide—it’s custom-made for your features and includes your best colors and how to combine them.

2. One Color + Two Neutrals

This method is all about balance. You start with a main color (your outfit’s “hero”) and pair it with two neutral tones to ground the look.

For example:

  • A vibrant chartreuse blouse with creamy white skirt and brown accessories

  • A lilac sweater with dark grey trousers and a light grey coat

You can go warm or cool with your neutrals, depending on the color you’re pairing them with. This method is perfect for those who want a pop of color without going over the top.

Want more outfit-ready color combinations? My Essential Color Combo Guide includes 30+ curated color pairings you can try right away.

3. Complementary Colors + Neutral

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel—like purple and yellow, or blue and orange. They naturally create contrast and bring energy to your outfit. But you don’t need to go bold to use this method.

Try something vibrant:

  • Indigo and golden yellow

  • Raspberry and green

  • Chartreuse and purple

Or something more subtle:

  • Rosewood and soft mint

  • Peach and navy

Add a neutral (like white, black, or brown) to tone down the contrast and keep the outfit wearable for everyday.

Want to See These Color Styling Methods in Action?

Watch the full video here to see all the outfit examples and get inspired:
Watch on YouTube

You’ll see how I apply each of these methods to both bright colors and subtle neutrals, so you can find what works for your style.

Jenni Isojärvi
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