Men’s Fashion Tips and Guide for Basic Color Coordination (2024)

By Nicole Faiella

Some of the most important men’s fashion tips have to do with color coordinated outfits. It can be tough to figure out what colors ‘go’ with others, and if you get it wrong - you get it really wrong. Whether the weather is warm or cold, being able to nail color coordination is a big part of looking fashionable.


Pairing the right colors gives your style the boost that you’ve been looking for. After you read this guide full of style tips for men, the skill should come as second nature.


Color Combos


One of the most useful men’s fashion tips is using the color when working with color coordination. By looking at the wheel, you’ll be able to identify complementary colors and see what shades work well together - and what shades clash.

Men’s Fashion Tips and Guide for Basic Color Coordination (1)

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, and these tones balance each other out. Analogous colors are right beside each other and blend well. Triadic colors are three hues that are evenly spaced, and they offer a bold look.


But while the color wheel can be helpful, it’s not all you should rely on for color coordination. Being good at color coordinated outfits comes with experience and practice.


In this article, we’ll list colors that go the best with navy, burgundy, green, beige, red, black, and white so you can have an easier time with color coordination.


Navy Blue


Most guys know to avoid black when wearing navy, as it creates a look that is much too dark - and the colors have a tendency to clash. When wearing navy, choose a light color like white or beige instead to lift your color palate.


You can’t go wrong with a white shirt and navy chinos, it’s a combination that will always be striking. Soft pink is also a great choice with anything navy, along with light blue, maroon, and red.


Burgundy


Burgundy isn’t the easiest color to match with, but it is known for its super stylish look. Navy is a great choice to pair with burgundy, as it creates an appearance that is both timeless and flattering. Neutrals work well with burgundy, too - choosing tones like black, white, gray, or brown make for a stunning outfit.


Green


You may not be drawn togreen, but you’d be surprised by how versatile this color is. Don’t be afraid to utilize it! In order to hone the attractiveness of green, you need to choose the right shade. The most flattering shades for guys are dark, along with olive and khaki.


Keep your complementary colors simple when working with green. Black is always a good partner, and white is too. If the weather is cold and you’re going for a wintry look, you could always utilize brown, burgundy, or navy.


Beige


Beige is a soft hue, so light colors work best with it. If you choose crisp white, blue, or tan, you’ll love the final result.


The tone of beige does matter, though, as there are a few different options to choose from. Yellow-based beige can be difficult to match with, but you could always go for richer tones like maroon, navy, or brown for a nice-looking pair.


Red


Red is bold, so it should be paired with neutral hues. If your style falls on the edgy side, pairing red with black works well. If you’re more straight-laced, red and white is perfect. You could also choose a classic look by pairing a red shirt with a pair of navy chinos.


Black


Black is probably the most versatile color there is, and it works with almost anything. Some colors are more stylish than others, though. If you want a timeless look, choose white to pair with your black pants, as this achieves a look that falls right between light and dark aesthetics. But while this look is timeless, it can be a bit striking. If you want something a little gentler on the eyes, put a white shirt under an entirely black suit.


Pink and baby blue also go well with black to lighten it up, but if you want something bolder, choose red.


White


White requires some styling in order to get the most fashionable looks out of it. With a white shirt, choosing black, navy, or light blue pants is something you’ll never regret. But while it’s warm, beige and sand can help you achieve a summery look.


Top Tier Color Combinations


As a rule of thumb, aim for balance with the colors you choose, and pair bold colors with neutrals in order to avoid a clash. If you want to break up a black outfit, choose light colors like white, pink, and baby blue.

These tools should help you create looks from your wardrobe that you’ll love. For more style advice for men, check out Perk’s blog.

Men’s Fashion Tips and Guide for Basic Color Coordination (2024)

FAQs

How to color coordinate clothes for men? ›

Every man's wardrobe is built around 3 basic colours: grey, (navy) blue and brown. You can mix and match these (and their variations: blue-grey, camel and beige) however you like, and they'll all work with pretty much any other colour. Grey is the undisputed king for colour matching – there's nothing it can't pair.

What is the 3 color rule for men? ›

The premise of the 3-color rule is not combine more than three colors in your outfit at any one time. The exceptions are black and white — they don't count, as they aren't technically colors, so they can be intermixed without actually adding a color to your outfit.

What are the rules for men's fashion colors? ›

Men with higher contrasting features should dress with equally contrasting colors, such as wearing dark slacks with a light shirt. Men with lighter contrasting features should try to wear outfits that follow a monochromatic color scheme — for instance, pants and shirts of a beige, brown or gray coloring.

What are some basic guidelines for men's fashion? ›

In this article, we're sharing five essential fashion rules for men's clothing to help refine your personal style.
  • Dress for the Occasion. A huge part of dressing well as a guy is looking the part. ...
  • Choose Quality Over Quantity. ...
  • Start with Staples. ...
  • Priortise Fit. ...
  • Take Proper Care of Your Clothing.

Should your hat match your shirt or pants? ›

For a successful match, favor complementary colors or similar shades between your hat and your outfit. A neutral hat such as black, gray or beige is easy to match and can enhance a colorful outfit. Conversely, a colorful hat adds a dynamic touch to a sober outfit.

What is the rule of 7 for men? ›

"Half-your-age-plus-seven" rule

According to this rule, a 28-year-old would date no one younger than 21 (half of 28, plus 7) and a 50-year-old would date no one younger than 32 (half of 50, plus 7). Although the provenance of the rule is unclear, it is sometimes said to have originated in France.

What color is prohibited for men? ›

Yellow is the most prominent example of gender differentiation through colours insofar as it was prohibited only for males. According to hadith litera- ture, the Prophet prohibited men from wearing yellow: 'The Prophet, peace be upon him, has prohibited us from wearing yellow clothing' (al-Nasa'ī 1988).

What is the 60 30 10 rule? ›

This decorating rule suggests that you should cover your room with 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent shade. It is all about maintaining the perfect balance of tones. Pick colors that mingle well with each other to create a subtle combo.

How do you coordinate colors in fashion? ›

Use complementary colors: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, are complementary colors. When used together, they create a striking contrast that can add interest and depth to your outfit. For example, pairing a red top with green pants creates a strong and vibrant look.

Which color is best for men? ›

Simple Guide to 10 Best Clothing Color Combinations For Men
  1. Black & White – Timeless Monochrome Magic. ...
  2. Pink & Grey – The Modern Man's Playful Twist. ...
  3. Blue & White – Serene Summer Vibes. ...
  4. Olive Green & Brown – Earthy Elegance. ...
  5. Yellow & Blue – Sunshine State of Mind. ...
  6. Monotone Magic – Effortless Elegance.
Mar 29, 2024

What color dress shirts does every man need? ›

White: The ultimate classic, a white dress shirt is a staple in any wardrobe. It's clean, crisp, and can be paired with virtually any suit or tie. Light Blue: Offering a touch of color while still being neutral, light blue is perfect for both casual and formal events.

What is the best dress code for men? ›

Men
  • Dark business suit.
  • Matching vest (optional)
  • Dress shirt.
  • Conservative tie.
  • Leather dress shoes and dark dress socks.

What is men code of dressing? ›

The most common formal dress codes are black-tie, white-tie, and semi-formal. Black-tie events usually require a tuxedo, while white-tie events require a tailcoat and formal trousers. Semi-formal dress codes are less strict and may allow for a suit and tie or even a dressy blazer and slacks.

What is the fashion 5 rule? ›

What Is the Five Outfit Rule? Per Barber, the five outfit rule goes like this: If you're going to buy something, it has to go with five things you already own. If it doesn't, you need to leave it behind. Overconsumption is a global issue that can impact your mental health more than you realize.

How do you coordinate clothes by color? ›

Designate a section of the closet for each clothing group (ie. sweaters, skirts, pants) then begin putting the clothing into each section by color. If you want to create the rainbow effect, the colors should go in the following order: white, tan, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, gray and black.

How do you color coordination? ›

Look across the wheel to find complementary colors.

For instance, yellow is directly across from the secondary color purple, red is across from green, and blue is across the wheel from orange. Complementary colors typically go well together, brightening the other one just by being nearby.

How do I color coordinate with my partner? ›

Teaming contrasting colors with common neutral shade will give a cohesive appearance to your look. Select a combination of neutral colors such as brown and olive for one and brown and white for another partner. You can opt for different hues of browns in your outfits to avoid the access of one single shade.

References

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