As a style and fashion expert, I’m often asked if it’s okay to wear burnt orange and green together. While some combinations can seem rather daring or questionable to the naked eye, there are actually some great ways to successfully pair these two colors. In this article, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of wearing burnt orange and green, look at examples of how to make the colors work in harmony, and provide tips and guidelines for creating stylish burnt orange and green outfits.
The basics of burnt orange and green
First, let’s review the basics about burnt orange and green:
- Burnt orange is a dark orange color with brown undertones. It’s richer and deeper than regular orange and has an autumnal, earthy quality.
- Green has cooling, refreshing undertones. Different shades can create different vibes – for example, forest green conveys nature while lime green has a bright, energizing feel.
- In color theory, orange and green are considered complementary colors, meaning they’re opposite each other on the color wheel. This means they naturally create a strong contrast when paired together.
So in essence, burnt orange and green are very different colors with contrasting qualities. This contrast is important to keep in mind when combining them in an outfit.
The don’ts of wearing burnt orange and green
Because burnt orange and green differ so much, there are some pitfalls to avoid when matching them:
- Don’t pair bright, saturated versions of both colors. Doing this can look garish and overwhelm the eye.
- Don’t wear head-to-toe burnt orange and green. Covering yourself in contrasting complementary colors risks looking like a walking pumpkin or leprechaun.
- Don’t choose burnt orange and green pieces in exactly the same color value and intensity. Doing so diminishes the contrast and makes the outfit appear muddy.
Essentially, you want to make sure your burnt orange and green outfit looks intentional, not haphazard. Keeping these “don’ts” in mind will help prevent any clashing.
The do’s: Making burnt orange and green work
Here are some tricks for combining burnt orange and green successfully:
- Make one color dominant. Use a lot of burnt orange, for example, and add in green as an accent.
- Use muted or dusty shades. A muted green and burnt orange that has gray mixed in will complement each other more seamlessly than neon versions of the colors.
- Introduce a neutral piece. Anchoring your burnt orange and green outfit with a neutral colored item like gray, tan, or black helps tone down the contrast.
- Layer green and orange. Wearing one color on top and the other on the bottom keeps the colors separate.
- Incorporate patterns or textures. A burnt orange floral blouse with a green skirt, for example, lets the patterns interact instead of the colors.
Essentially, you want to give the eye places to “rest” and not be overwhelmed. With smart strategies like these, burnt orange and green can actually pair quite nicely.
Outfit ideas and combinations
Now let’s look at some examples of stylish burnt orange and green outfits:
1. Burnt orange pants + green top
Pairing burnt orange pants with a forest green top is an easy go-to combination. It keeps the colors separate in a flattering way. You can try cropped burnt orange pants with a green silk tank for summer, or burnt orange trousers with a matte green turtleneck in colder months. Add neutral boots or heels to finish the look.
2. Burnt orange coat + green dress
A burnt orange coat layered over a short green dress is chic and eye-catching. Go for a darker muted orange coat and a pleated Kelly green dress for fall. Or try an orange trench coat over an olive green maxi dress for spring. Finish with neutral heels or booties.
3. Burnt orange skirt + green blouse
Pairing a burnt orange midi skirt with a forest green blouse is a go-to office look. Stick to muted shades like olive green and rust orange for a sophisticated vibe. Add a neutral blazer on top and pointed toe flats on the bottom.
4. Burnt orange blouse + green pants/skirt
Flip the color placement by wearing a burnt orange blouse with green bottoms. Try a muted orange silk top with cropped sage green pants, or an off-the-shoulder burnt orange blouse with a emerald green pencil skirt. Finish with neutral wedges or sandals.
5. Burnt orange sweater + green skirt/pants
A burnt orange sweater with green pants or a skirt is perfect for fall. Go for a chunky orange knit sweater with forest green trousers, or an orange turtleneck sweater dress with olive green leggings layered underneath. Finish with brown booties or loafers.
6. Burnt orange dress + green jacket
For a bright spring look, pair a burnt orange fit-and-flare dress with a light green denim jacket. You can also do a sleeveless burnt orange midi dress with an oversized olive moto jacket. Finish with white sneakers or sandals.
7. Burnt orange shoes + green dress/jumpsuit
Use burnt orange shoes as a way to incorporate orange with a green outfit. Wear pointy burnt orange pumps with an emerald shift dress for work, or burnt orange sneakers with a khaki green jumpsuit for the weekend.
More tips for wearing burnt orange and green
Here are some additional tips to follow when combining burnt orange and green:
- Look for orange and green pieces in complementary textures like matte and shiny.
- Incorporate burnt orange and green prints and patterns like orange florals and green stripes.
- Try wearing burnt orange lipstick or glasses with a green outfit.
- Select orange and green jewelry like pendant necklaces, stack bracelets or rings.
- Carry a burnt orange bag with a casual green dress or jumpsuit.
Who can wear burnt orange and green?
The good news is burnt orange and green combinations tend to be flattering on most skin tones. Here are some tips based on complexion:
- Light skin: Those with fair skin can wear both lighter and darker shades of burnt orange and green.
- Medium skin: Muted burnt orange and olive or sage green will complement medium skin tone well.
- Olive/tan skin: Try pairing richer burnt orange and forest or Kelly green shades.
- Dark skin: Opt for muted, dusty burnt orange and avoid bright green so colors don’t overwhelm your complexion.
The season you’re dressing for is also important. In spring and summer, lighter more vibrant oranges and greens tend to work best. In fall and winter, pair deeper muted versions of the colors.
Conclusion
While the combination of burnt orange and green may seem like a fashion risk, the colors can actually pair quite beautifully. The key is choosing the right shades and tones, and using smart strategies to balance the colors. With muted versions of orange and green, or making one color dominant, you can create stylish burnt orange and green combinations. Just avoid bright matching shades or overly busy orange and green prints. With these tips in mind, you can feel confident wearing these complementary colors together.