Colors, colors, and more colors – mixing and matching hues is one of my favorite ways to make my wardrobe pop! And it seems like you all love it too, as some of my most popular posts are all about pairing different shades. With summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to experiment with color! Today, I’m breaking down five of my favorite clothing color combination ideas for the season, along with tips for styling each. You’ll find a mix of trending hues, combos I personally love, and a few new ones I’m eager to try.
What Are the Rules?
When it comes to color, I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to pair hues. Do what feels good and makes you happy! Trends will come and go, and with them, the color combos I wear may vary. But some of my tried-and-true favorite pairs will always be pink and orange, green and pink, and purple and red. In past clothing color combination posts, I’ve covered bold combos, specific color formulas, and pre-fall pairings. These are all great for inspiration, but feel free to put your spin on them – there are no rules!
Clothing Color Combination Tips
The key to finding color formulas you love and that work for you is to experiment…a lot! Don’t be afraid to try new combos and mix things up from season to season. I’ve tried plenty of pairings over the years and picked up a few tips and tricks for discovering the right ones. Here are my top three:
1. Stick to Three Colors or Less
In this post, I’m focusing on color combinations made up of just two hues. In general, though, I try not to create a color-blocked look with more than three distinct shades. Don’t get me wrong—I love wearing outfits with lots of color (hello, recent rainbow looks!). But here, I’m talking about pairing solid, bold pieces together to create a fun look.
2. Color Families Count
Keep the color wheel in mind when planning your outfit. You can create a more jarring, high-contrast look by combining shades from opposite sides of the wheel—such as green and purple. For something more soothing and almost monochromatic, try pairing colors that sit close together, like orange and yellow or pink and red. Neither approach is right or wrong—they just create very different feelings!
3. Consider Texture
Remember, color is just one part of the outfit equation. To add more interest, think about how texture plays into the look. For example, you could pair two organza pieces for an airy, ethereal vibe, or combine a tight, heavy tweed with a dressy moire to create an outfit full of contrast and depth. Play around with mixing textures alongside colors for even more style options!
Clothing Color Combos I’m Loving
Okay, now that I’ve shared a few tips for choosing colors, let’s jump into the pairings that have me most excited for summer!
Red and Blue
Is there any summertime clothing color combination more classic than red and blue? I think not! Right now, I’m especially loving a traditional cherry red paired with either a light blue or a great teal-blue. This pairing feels so incredibly fresh!
The great news is that there are currently so many stunning pieces that do the combining for you! This printed maxi dress, this strapless floral dress, and this gorgeous embellished dress (similar to one I bought on sale years ago from the same brand) are a few of my favorites. I’m even seeing this color combination pop up in statement jewelry—like this cocktail ring—and in fun accessories, like this bag charm. Looking for some bags to complete these looks? Check out this one and this one.
Chartreuse and a Crisp White
Okay, so I usually go for bright-on-bright color combos, but this season I’m loving a sharp shade like chartreuse paired with a bright, crisp white. It feels so clean and sophisticated. I wore this pairing a few months ago with this outfit, and I loved how it turned out.
If you’re looking for a casual take on this clothing color combination, this asymmetrical top I just bought would look fantastic with a great white bottom—like these linen-blend pants. And both pieces are under $90! For accessories, I’d add this acrylic clutch and pile on the pearls with this necklace and this one. As for shoes, I’d go with a very minimalist sandal, such as these!
Fuchsia and Orange
Now this is a combo that POPS! The right shade of fuchsia can be hard to find, but it’s worth the hunt. Lately, I’ve been loving a deep yet bright fuchsia paired with mango or a lighter orange.
& Other Stories actually has a collaboration launching May 15th with ROKSANDA, and not only is there a beautiful silk scarf dress in these hues, but there’s also a stunning mango tiered skirt that I’m dying to get my hands on! My fingers (and toes!) are crossed that I can—I’d love to style it with a simple racerback tank and my secondhand Bottega bag. These sandals in orange and these sunglasses would finish it all off perfectly.
Brown and Light Pink
This is probably the most “neutral” clothing color combination on my summer list. There’s no denying that chocolate brown is one of the “it” colors of the season, and I love the softness that light pink brings to the mix.
I was very inspired by this striped midi dress and this embroidered tunic dress—both of which execute this color pairing flawlessly! I’ve been dreaming of styling the tunic with these delicate sandals and this oversized woven bag. For a more feminine take, you could pair this piece with these wedge mules and this chocolate sequin evening bag.
Butter Yellow and Blues
While chocolate is having a moment, butter yellow is probably the color of the season! Some of my recent buys in this hue include this dress, this jacket, and this mini. I think this pale shade of sunshine looks great with light pink and browns—but especially with shades of blue. It pairs just as beautifully with baby blue as it does with rich navy.
One of my current favorite pieces in this clothing color combination is this timeless dress—it’s a stunner! Want to pull off this combo at the beach? Try pairing this light blue swimsuit with this fun cover up top and skirt set. To complete the look, just add these retro sunnies and this darling cork tote! Looking for some light blue shoes – these are my current favorites.
Clothing Color Combination Guide
I hope these color pairings help get your creative juices flowing for summer! It’s such a fun season to lean into vibrant shades and experiment with hues you might not have paired together before. Be sure to keep checking back—I’ll definitely be sharing more colorful looks in the coming months. And for even more warm-weather inspiration, check out these posts: