Red is a bold, energetic color that can make a strong visual impact. However, despite its vibrancy, red does have some limitations when it comes to color pairing. Certain colors can clash or create a jarring combination when paired with red. As a general rule, red tends to look best with black, white or neutral shades. Bright pastels, greens, oranges and pinks often do not coordinate well with true red tones.
Colors That Do Not Go With Red
Here is an overview of the main color groups that typically do not complement red hues:
Bright Oranges
Bright pumpkin orange, peach orange and coral orange shades tend to clash when paired with true red. They are too similar in tone and intensity. For example, a bright persimmon orange sweater would likely clash with true red pants. The overall look tends to be too visually jarring and loud.
More muted oranges like a burnt orange, rust orange or clay orange are easier to pair with red. They have more brown undertones which creates enough contrast against the red.
Bright Or Cool Greens
Emerald, lime and mint greens often do not coordinate well with red. There is not enough contrast between the colors, resulting in a competing look. Red also emphasizes the cool undertones of these greens in an unflattering way.
However, darker or more muted greens like hunter green, olive and taupe green can work with red if done carefully. The deeper tones help ground the red.
Neon Or Bright Pink
Vibrant hot pink, fuschia or magenta shades tend to clash with red. Side by side, the colors are so intense that they compete for attention.using table format
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| True Red | Hot Pink | Too similar in intensity, competes |
| True Red | Neon Lime Green | Insufficient contrast |
| True Red | Coral Orange | Too close in tone |
More muted mauve, dusty rose and blush pinks can work with red if you want to create a monochromatic pink look. But bright cool pinks tend to look garish.
Pastel Shades
Soft pastel shades like mint, lavender, baby blue and butter yellow do not tend to work well with red either. Red completely overpowers the softness of pastel hues, and the overall effect is jarring. If you want to pair red with lighter shades, stick to soft greys, creams or whites instead of pastels.
Colors That Can Work With Red
While red does not go with many bright or light colors, it can look beautiful paired with the right hues. Here are some colors that complement red well:
Classic Black
Red and black is a timeless color combination. The boldness of red works perfectly against the deeper, sharper tone of black. It creates a dramatic, elegant look. A black dress paired with red shoes or jewelry is always in style.
Crisp White
White has enough contrast against red to stand out, creating a classic, graphic look. Red belts or jackets really pop against a white top. Red and white evoke an eye-catching Americana vibe.
Greys and Charcoal
From soft dove grey to deeper charcoal grey, greys create an attractive neutral backdrop for red. Grey helps ground and balance the strong tone of red without competing with it.
Navy Blue
Navy blue has a similar bold presence as red, making the two colors complement each other well. Navy grounds the red without clashing against it. Red and navy looks polished and nautical.
Warm Metallics
Warm metallic shades like gold, copper and bronze work beautifully with red. The metallic sheen helps balance red’s intensity for a luxe look. Red can also help warm up cooler metallics like silver and pewter.
Burgundy
Deeper burgundy shades are close relatives to red, sharing a similar warmth. Pairing red and burgundy is an easy way to create a sophisticated monochromatic look.
Tips for Combining Red
Here are some useful tips for wearing red combinations that work:
– Stick to only one red-based bright color at a time. Pair red with neutrals.
– Make red the focal color, and use other hues in smaller accents only.
– Add texture and patterns to help balance out red’s boldness.
– Soft greys, navies and blacks make the best neutrals to complement reds.
– Anchor red with neutral basics like jeans, khakis, black pants and white shirts.
Examples of Red Color Combinations
Here are some examples of attractive and fashionable red color combinations:
– A red dress with nude heels and silver jewelry
– A red pencil skirt with a grey blazer and white blouse
– Dark wash jeans with a red sweater and camel overcoat
– Black trousers with a red blouse and black pumps
– A navy blue peacoat with a red scarf and dark booties
– White skinny jeans with a red top and white sneakers
– A charcoal suit with a red tie and white dress shirt
Conclusion
While red makes a bold color choice, it does have some limitations when it comes to pairing. For the most foolproof combinations, stick to outfitting red with classic black and white. Neutral shades like navy, grey, camel and tan also complement red beautifully. Avoid pairing true reds with bright oranges, greens, pinks and pastels to prevent a clashing look. With the right color combinations, red can be elegantly eye-catching in any outfit.
