Black and brown are versatile neutral colors that can be paired with a wide range of other colors. Choosing coordinating colors for black or brown clothing or decor can seem daunting, but there are some basic guidelines to help narrow down your options. In this article, we’ll discuss the best colors to wear and use with black or brown, including specific shade recommendations for clothing, accessories, makeup, home decor and more. We’ll also provide some tips on how to create cohesive, stylish looks by properly balancing and blending these dark neutrals with accent colors.
Best Colors to Wear with Black
Black clothing provides a blank canvas to build your outfit upon. From subtle and chic monochromatic looks to high contrast pairings, black can work with just about any color scheme. Here are some of the most popular and fashionable colors to wear with black:
– White – Crisp, bright white paired with black offers an instantly classic, sophisticated look. White helps black feel lighter and summery. A black and white outfit conveys confidence.
– Gray – Mixing black with charcoal gray or lighter gray shades like silver, pewter or heather creates a modern, sleek monochromatic color scheme. Black and gray together read as polished and put-together.
– Red – Vibrant true reds, burgundies and maroons make a dramatic statement against black. Red and black combinations are bold, sexy, and eye-catching. Red pumps or a red lipstick pop against an all-black outfit.
– Pink – Soft blush pinks, rose pinks and mauve pink shades complement black for a feminine contrast. The darker the pink hue, the more striking and fashion-forward the look.
– Purple – Royal purple, eggplant and plum purple pair beautifully with black for an elegant, rich color combination. Darker jewel-toned purples work best with black. Light lilac can look washed out.
– Blue – Cobalt blue, navy blue, royal blue and sapphire blue all make excellent partners for black. The darker the blue, the more polished the look. Lighter sky blues and powder blues don’t contrast as strongly.
– Green – Deep emerald, forest and hunter greens add vibrancy and visual interest against black. Olive green also pairs well for an earthy feel. Avoid light mints and limes.
– Yellow – Mustard yellow, gold, amber and yellow ochre shades pop against black. Soft pastel yellows won’t have enough contrast. Bold primary yellow commands attention next to black.
– Brown – Rich chocolate browns, deep coffee browns, cinnamon, hazelnut and chestnut shades provide a warm, earthy contrast to black. Light tans lack visual punch.
– Metallic – Shimmering gold, silver, bronze and pewter metallic accents or accessories stand out and add glamour to black outfits.
Best Colors to Wear with Brown
Brown clothing can act as a neutral base for bolder accent colors or be mixed with softer tones for an earthy feel. These colors complement and enhance different shades of brown:
– Cream – Off-whites, buffs, oatmeals and light creams balance out brown’s depth with their airy lightness. Cream also elicits a natural, organic look next to brown.
– Beige – Sandy beiges, caramels, khakis and lighter taupes blend seamlessly with brown for sophisticated earth tones. Avoid yellowish or greenish beiges.
– Olive Green – Lush olive greens pair beautifully with rich chocolates and coffee browns. The colors are both natural earth tones. Deep olives work better than light sages.
– Rust – Warm rusty oranges, burnt oranges, terra cottas and spiced reds pick up the red undertones in brown for a cozy, autumnal look.
– Coral – Vivid oranges and corals energize and uplift brown’s grounded earthiness. Pair vibrant corals with lighter tans and caramels.
– Peach – Soft peaches, light corals, melon, and apricot complement brown’s warmth. Peaches also fade to attractive vintage, sun-washed shades like brown.
– Yellow – Bright golden yellows, ochres, amber, citron and mustard yellows contrast brown for a vibrant, confident look. Avoid pastel yellows.
– Light Blue – Robin’s egg blue, powder blue, sky blue and other soft, pale blues provide a clean contrast to brown’s depth. Navy is too harsh.
– Purple – Lavender, lilac, mauve, dusty rose, mulberry and plum purples offer a stylish accent for neutrals like brown. Avoid darker eggplants.
– Gray – Charcoal grays, steel grays and blue-undertone grays elegantly balance the warmth of brown tones.
– Black – Crisp true blacks help ground brown’s lighter shades. Together, these dark neutrals read polished and refined.
Makeup Colors for Black or Brown Outfits
Coordinating your makeup with black or brown outfits helps pull together a chic, monochromatic look. Here are some flattering makeup colors to wear with black or brown:
Makeup Colors for Black Outfits
– Red lipstick – Choose blue-reds, orange-reds or pink-reds with cool undertones to complement black’s coolness. Avoid coral and brown lip shades.
– Berry lipstick – Deep wine, plum and berry lipstick shades pair perfectly with black for a vampy look.
– Dark smokey eyes – Charcoal, black, dark grays and purples create smoldering smokey eyes to match black outfits.
– Thick black eyeliner – Line eyes heavily with black liquid or gel liner. A cat eye elongates eyes dramatically.
– Metallic eyeshadow – Shimmering silver, gunmetal, pewter and platinum eyeshadows play up black’s glamour and elegance.
Makeup Colors for Brown Outfits
– Nude lipstick – Flesh-toned, pinky-beige, caramel or mocha nude lipstick complements brown’s earthiness. Avoid brights.
– Peach lipstick – Warm peachy-pinks and corals liven up the look of brown clothing.
– Bronze smokey eyes – Blend shimmery coppers, golds, bronzes and browns for a sultry eye look.
– Chocolate brown eyeliner – Line eyes with dark reddish-browns instead of black for a softer definition.
– Champagne eyeshadow – Shimmery champagnes, roses and soft golds flatter brown while avoiding a monotone look.
Home Decor Colors for Black and Brown
Black and brown furniture and decor can serve as stylish neutral backdrops in any room. Here are some complementary accent colors for decorating with black or brown:
Home Decor Colors for Black
– White – Crisp white trim, walls, pillows and accessories keep black decor feeling fresh and contemporary. White also makes small spaces feel more open.
– Red – Scarlet, crimson or maroon accent pillows, throws or chairs make a dramatic contrast on black furniture or walls.
– Metallic – Brushed gold, silver or bronze accents and metallic finishes such as nickel or chrome visually break up black’s darkness.
– Purple – Deep eggplants, plums and violets paired with black create an elegant, luxurious environment.
– Green – Mossy hunter greens and forest greens give depth and sophistication to black decor. Avoid light, bright greens.
– Blue – Navy blue walls or accent pieces work well with black furnishings. Lighter sky blues feel disjointed.
Home Decor Colors for Brown
– Cream – Light creams, oatmeals and beiges keep brown decor light and relaxing. Cream also elicits a natural vibe next to rich browns.
– Olive Green – Deep green olives and sage green accent walls or pillows enhance brown decor with organic colors.
– Rust – Burnt orange, terra cotta and rusty red accents energize and add visual punch to brown decor.
– Yellow – Mustard, ochre and amber yellows make lively accent colors to prevent brown decor from feeling too somber or dark.
– Gray – Light taupes, steely grays and blue-based grays create sophisticated, stylish combinations with brown furniture or wood tones.
– Peach – Soft peach, melon and coral accents liven up brown decor and add brightness. Avoid neon orange-y shades.
Tips for Wearing and Decorating with Black and Brown
Black and brown are easy to wear, but pairing them with the right accent colors and properly balancing shades takes finesse. Here are some tips for elegantly wearing and decorating with black and brown:
– Stick to one neutral at a time. Don’t pair black and brown together, as this can look muddy and drab.
– Lighter shades of brown and black require brighter accent colors with more contrast for balance.
– Darker shades of brown and black can handle softer, more subtle accent colors since the neutral itself makes a statement.
– Add pops of color first with small accessories like shoes, handbags, lipstick or pillows instead of overpowering with bold colored tops or walls.
– Too many competing colors and patterns can overwhelm black and brown. Keep additional accents minimal.
– Match cool-toned makeup and decor colors with black. Match warm-toned makeup and decor colors with brown.
– For clothing, make the neutral the star and accent colors the supporting players. Don’t let accents overpower black and brown’s dominant shades.
– In decor, go bold with black. Paint an accent wall black or make it the main furniture color. Use brown decor sparingly to avoid a cave-like feeling.
Conclusion
Black and brown serve as versatile neutrals that form the foundation for countless stylish looks. Pairing black with crisp white, bold reds, rich purples or metallic accents helps the shade feel crisp and modern. Soft creams, warm rusts, pale blues and grays complement brown’s organic earthiness. With the guidelines above for clothing, makeup and home decor, you can confidently mix and match the best colors to wear and use alongside these deep, dark neutrals. Build upon black and brown bases with strategic pops of accent colors to create fashion-forward outfits and decorator-worthy interiors.
