Blue and orange are two colors that can look amazing together if styled properly. While cool blue and warm orange may seem like an unexpected color combination, their complementary hues allow them to play off each other in eye-catching ways. With the right approach, you can make blue and orange work together seamlessly in your outfits.
Understanding the Colors
First, it helps to understand the characteristics of blue and orange that allow them to pair well:
- Blue is a cool, calming color that evokes feelings of trust, loyalty, and intelligence. Its soothing qualities balance out the bright energy of orange.
- Orange is a bold, lively color associated with joy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Its vibrancy contrasts nicely with blue’s serenity.
- As complementary colors opposite each other on the color wheel, blue and orange automatically create strong visual contrast when placed side-by-side.
- Blue has undertones ranging from greenish teal to purplish navy, while orange spans reddish rust to yellowish peach, allowing for many different color combinations.
Keeping these color properties in mind will help guide you in styling blue and orange together in a harmonious way.
Choosing the Right Shades
With blue and orange, pay special attention to choosing shades that complement each other. Here are some of the most popular blue and orange pairings:
| Blue Shade | Orange Shade |
|---|---|
| Royal blue | Bright pumpkin orange |
| Light blue | Coral orange |
| Navy blue | Burnt orange |
| Turquoise | Peach orange |
Royal blue pops against the warm glow of pumpkin orange. Softer light blue and coral provide lower-contrast pairing. Navy blue’s depth matches burnt orange’s earthiness. And the green undertones of turquoise connect it to peach orange.
Tips for Combining Blue and Orange in Outfits
Once you’ve selected complementary shades of blue and orange, here are some top tips for styling them in your outfit:
1. Use One Color as an Accent
The easiest way to combine blue and orange is to make one color the star and the other a supporting accent. For example, pair an orange blouse with a navy blue pencil skirt. Or wear a royal blue dress with orange heels. Let one color take dominance in your outfit and use the other sparingly to complement it.
2. Balance the Colors
If you prefer to give blue and orange equal billing, look for ways to strike a balance by wearing them in similar proportions. For example, choose an orange skirt and blue jacket. Or opt for an orange blazer over a blue dress. Distribute the colors throughout your outfit instead of relegating one to accent status.
3. Use Analogous Shades of Blue and Orange
Stick to shades of blue and orange close to each other on the color wheel, such as light blue and peach or turquoise and rusty orange. Analogous colors already share common undertones, so they will blend together more seamlessly. This technique mutes the contrast but still lets the colors play off one another.
4. Add a Neutral Buffer
If you feel uneasy about wearing bold blue and orange side-by-side, add a neutral color between them. Gray, tan, cream, black or white can provide separation and make the color pairing feel more natural. For example, try an orange skirt, white blouse and blue jacket.
5. Use Mostly Neutrals
For a more subtle way to mix these two colors, make blue and orange accents in an otherwise neutral outfit. An orange handbag and blue shoes with a tan dress is a fail-proof combination. Or simply add an orange scarf to a blue dress. The neutral foundation prevents the bold colors from clashing.
Blue and Orange Color Combinations for Different Occasions
Certain blue and orange pairings may work better for specific occasions. Here are outfit ideas for wearing these colors together in different settings:
| Occasion | Outfit Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Casual daytime | Light blue jeans, peach orange t-shirt, white sneakers |
| Office work | Navy pencil skirt, burnt orange blouse, black blazer |
| Cocktail party | Royal blue dress, coral heels and clutch |
| Black tie event | Orange gown with royal blue shawl |
| Weekend brunch | Blue button-down shirt, tan pants, rusty orange shoes |
Lighter shades like peach and powder blue are great for daytime and casual affairs. Deeper royal blue and burnt orange project more elegance for dressier events. Neutral foundations help make the color pairing appropriate for school, work or formal occasions.
Additional Tips for Wearing Blue and Orange
Keep these extra pointers in mind to help you get the most stylish results when combining blue and orange:
- Add blue and orange in different textures, like pairing an orange silk top with a blue denim skirt.
- Break up the colors with patterns such as blue florals and orange stripes.
- Tone down bright orange with muted blue shades like taupe.
- Use orange makeup or accessories to complement a blue outfit.
- Mix cool and warm shades of analogous colors like teal and rust orange.
- Add white to brighten and expand the color palette.
With the right balance, blue and orange can look bold and beautiful together. Have fun trying different shades and combinations to find a blue-and-orange style that suits you perfectly!
Conclusion
Blue and orange may seem like an unexpected pairing, but their contrasting natures actually complement each other beautifully. Choosing the right hues, balancing the colors and adding neutrals are key to blending blue and orange seamlessly. From casual weekends to black-tie affairs, these vibrant yet harmonious colors can be mixed and matched to suit any occasion. With the styling techniques and outfit ideas provided here, you can confidently wear blue and orange together for show-stopping style.
