Camel and black, blush and burgundy, navy and gold—these are all classic combos that always work. But stylists say there are plenty of surprising color combinations that, although less obvious, still look great together.
Ra'el Cohen, a fashion design expert and co-founder/chief creative officer at Third Love, says the easiest way to find stylish color combos is to think about the color wheel. Hues that are on opposite ends are considered complementary. Because these colors provide maximum contrast, they make for extra striking combinations.
"The most important thing is to have fun with color and experiment until you find a combination that you love!" adds Cohen. "There are no hard and fast rules, so have fun and let your creativity shine through."
With all that in mind, here are a few unexpected pairings to consider next time you're picking out an outfit—for any occasion.
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1 | Mint green and rosy beige
Oleksii Dubrovskyi / Shutterstock"Mint green and rosy beige is a play on the complementary colors of red and green, but done in a very sophisticated way," says Cohen.
This soft, romantic combo works during every season—but is particularly gorgeous in springtime. The warmth in the pinkish-beige provides just enough subtle contrast to the cool mint green. Plus, since the beige is neutral, it allows this stunning shade of green to shine without pulling too much attention.
2 | Kelly green and bright pink
Look Studio / ShutterstockChantelle Hartman Malarkey, a fashion/style expert and lifestyle blogger, loves mixing these bright colors for a bold, eye-catching look that's especially well-suited to spring and summer. "It strikes the right balance between feminine and fresh," she says.
That's because pink and green sit opposite each other on the color wheel—so when you put them together, both really stand out.
When opting for high-contrast combos like this, Cohen advises accessorizing with neutrals to help ground the look. For example, if you're wearing a pink blouse and Kelly green pencil skirt, you might round out your ensemble with black flats and a black blazer, or beige heels and a matching clutch.
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3 | Mint green and coral
Roman Samborskyi"Combining tints of warm and cool hues may be daring, but mint and coral harmonize beautifully due to their low saturation," says Ayah Kajouk, founder of Aya Mana. "For this reason, adding subtle prints in either of the two colors could work nicely."
"This combo works best in the spring, and is ideal for office and smart-casual occasions," Kajouk notes, adding that when it comes to accessorizing, opt for deeper shades of green to keep things cohesive.
4 | Bright yellow and lavender
Studio Romantic / ShutterstockYou might not expect yellow and purple to go so well together, but Cohen says this is a tried-and-true combo since the colors are located opposite each other on the color wheel.
The key to making it work is to opt for a softer lilac or lavender since yellow is so bright and attention-grabbing. A more muted purple is less likely to compete for attention and therefore looks less visually overwhelming.
Keep things simple with nude or white shoes, and feel free to play with accessories in varying shades of yellow and purple.
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5 | Orange and hot pink
Victoria Chudinova / ShutterstockHues that are next to each other on the color wheel, like pink and orange, are known as analogous colors. They don't provide as much contrast as complementary colors, so they create a harmonious, aesthetically pleasing effect that's calming to the eye.
"Orange's warmth compliments hot pink's intensity perfectly for creating a bold fashion statement during warmer months," says Rosie Mangiarotti, fashion expert and founder of Perkies.
Manigiarotti advises keeping the rest of your ensemble minimalistic with this color combo. When it comes to shoes, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories, avoid busy prints or other bright shades—which will allow these vibrant hues to take center stage.
If wearing these two colors together feels too daring, Malarkey suggests trying a more delicate pale pink with bright orange for a subtler yet still eye-catching combination.
6 | Sand and turquoise
DenisProduction.com / ShutterstockMangiarotti loves this combo because it mimics the color palette of a tropical beach. That makes it perfect for island getaways and oceanside date nights. "Sandy beige is a great neutral base that allows vibrant aqua turquoise to stand out," she explains.
Mangiarotti suggests accessorizing this look with gold or bronze jewelry and leaning into natural earth tones in your makeup.
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7 | Peach and lilac
Cast Of Thousands / ShutterstockPastels almost always look breathtaking together, but Kajouk loves this pairing because purple and orange are complementary hues. She recommends accessorizing with black and white patterns, which add a striking touch without overwhelming the soft color palette.
"Black and white patterns tend to take over since they are on complete opposite ends of the color spectrum," Kajouk explains. "So, using this combo as an accessory and matching it with another pair of warm and cool colors creates a funky look that catches you by surprise."
For a more understated and elegant look, Kajouk suggests opting for simple silhouettes and opting for white accessories.
