Unsure About What to Wear? Experiment with These 8 Surprising Color Pairings.
May 5, 2025
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Certain fashion guidelines were established long before our time, including approved color pairings. While growing up, it was frowned upon to mix black with brown or wear white after Labor Day, but as we know, fashion evolves. Today, the way we perceive color in clothing is being transformed by designers and stylists who are successfully combining unexpected hues, making the process of dressing much more thrilling.
When looking to refresh and add interest to an outfit, color is the first step. Instead of just adding colorful accents to a neutral ensemble, pairing clashing colors can enhance your wardrobe's versatility. Combinations like pink and green, red and yellow, and blue and green can encapsulate the essence of dopamine dressing and help you embrace the warmer months joyfully.
Continue reading for eight of this season's most sought-after color pairings.
Pink and Orange
The concept of a monochromatic outfit is widely appreciated, and while this ensemble isn’t strictly monochromatic, it gives off the illusion of one. Both the pink and orange shades are highly saturated, making the outfit appear monochromatic at first glance. Once you recognize the analogous colors (those adjacent to each other on the color wheel), it's clear that orange and pink are a combination worth repeating this summer.
Red and Yellow
Source: @trendingwithtinsley
This pairing is reminiscent of ketchup and mustard—but in the most delightful way. Although the outfit features basic silhouettes, the use of contrasting primary colors adds depth and intrigue, resulting in a look that's sure to earn compliments.
Pink and Yellow
No combination is more uplifting than pink and yellow. This pairing evokes fond early summer memories—enjoying the sun and savoring fresh watermelon outdoors. To avoid the colors feeling too childish, ground them with darker bottoms or a tailored jacket, as shown here with leopard-print jeans.
Blue and Green
Envision this outfit with beige pants and a black bag. Cute, right? Now reconsider the photo. Are you still focused on that neutral combo, or have you forgotten about it? It's likely the latter. Blue and green are naturally harmonious, and when combined with a neutral top and heels, they achieve a pleasing balance. Additionally, the little pop of orange on her wrist is a fantastic way to introduce a third color without overwhelming the look.
Blue and Red
Until recently, combining red and blue was rarely seen outside of Independence Day and Labor Day. Prada embraced this patriotic duo in their spring/summer 2025 campaign, and the fashion world is following suit this summer. To keep the look from feeling overly patriotic, incorporate a third color, like the yellow-tinted sunglasses featured above.
Purple and Yellow
Source: @trendingwithtinsley
If you're hesitant to experiment with color, start with vibrant accessories. Build your outfit around a monochromatic foundation, then layer on accessories in contrasting shades—like the lilac and yellow shown above—to discover which color combinations bring you the most joy.
Blue and Yellow
To capture the essence of a sunny summer day, pair the bright cerulean with a soft butter yellow. When layered over a neutral foundation, this combination has a mood-boosting effect that’s perfect for late spring and early summer.
Pink and Green
Do you think you can only style contrasting colors with solid pieces? Think again. The black-and-white zebra pattern of the skirt above adds just the right amount of visual interest to the solid pink and green pieces it accompanies.
Colorful Pieces to Shop Now
Madewell
2 colors available
Abercrombie & Fitch
16 colors available
Gap Factory
6 colors available
J.Crew
5 colors available
J.Crew
10 colors available
Abercrombie & Fitch
2 colors available
Banana Republic
9 colors available
Madewell
6 colors available
J.Crew
5 colors available
Madewell
13 colors available
Anthropologie
2 colors available
Madewell
5 colors available
Anthropologie
3 colors available
Madewell
3 colors available
Anthropologie
3 colors available
Anthropologie
4 colors available
Anthropologie
2 colors available
Madewell
5 colors available
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl, focused on reporting the latest trends and must-have products of the season. Based in New York City as a stylist, she aims to bring joy to the art of dressing while providing attainable yet aspirational content for our readers.
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Unsure About What to Wear? Experiment with These 8 Surprising Color Pairings.
a wardrobe refresh