Emerald green is a rich, luxurious shade that can make a striking statement in any spring outfit. However, pairing the right colors with emerald green is key to creating a put-together, harmonious look. Certain shades will complement an emerald green nicely, while others can clash and look mismatched.
When selecting colors to pair with emerald green, it helps to have an understanding of color theory. The color wheel places emerald green in the cool, blue-green family. This provides a helpful starting point for choosing coordinating colors. Typically, colors next to or opposite each other on the wheel will blend well.
Best Color Matches
These colors make the most universally flattering pairings with emerald green:
Neutrals
– White
– Black
– Gray
– Beige
– Nude
– Cream
Clean, neutral colors act as anchors that allow the emerald green to take center stage. Crisp white, soft cream, warm beige and tan, or different tones of gray and black provide flexibility to dress up or down. Neutrals work for any occasion.
Metallics
– Gold
– Rose gold
– Bronze
– Silver
– Pewter
– Platinum
Metallic accents add a hint of glam and luxury. Pairing emerald with metallic shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories makes the green pop. Warm metallics like gold, bronze and rose gold are especially pretty, while cooler silver injects contrast.
Blue
– Light blue
– Royal blue
– Navy blue
– Baby blue
On the color wheel, blue sits next to green. Thus, shades like light blue, royal blue, navy and baby blue naturally complement an emerald green. The blue brings out emerald’s cool undertones. Both colors have sophisticated, nautical vibes.
Purple
– Lilac
– Lavender
– Orchid
– Plum
– Violet
Purple resides opposite green on the color wheel. This contrast creates visual interest, yet the colors still work well together. Soft purples like lilac, lavender and orchid give off a romantic, feminine feel. Deeper plums and violets make bold statements.
| Color Family | Specific Shades |
|---|---|
| Neutrals | White, black, gray, beige, nude, cream |
| Metallics | Gold, rose gold, bronze, silver, pewter, platinum |
| Blue | Light blue, royal blue, navy blue, baby blue |
| Purple | Lilac, lavender, orchid, plum, violet |
More Complementary Colors
In addition to the top pairings, other shades can also coordinate nicely with emerald green:
Teal
Teal is a bluish-green that sits right next to emerald on the color wheel. The two colors are practically cousins. Combining them results in a very on-trend, modern look. Deeper jewel-toned teals work better than pale, minty versions.
Emerald green + Teal outfit ideas:
– Emerald green dress with teal heels
– Teal trousers with an emerald green blazer
– Emerald green skirt with a teal blouse
Mint Green
Mint green is lighter and brighter than emerald. Although not an exact match, mint still pairs attractively because of its shared green undertones. Mint adds a fun pop of color.
Emerald green + Mint outfit ideas:
– Emerald green maxi dress with mint sandals
– Mint green top with emerald shorts
– Emerald green pantsuit with a mint clutch
Lime Green
Vibrant lime green creates visual contrast against rich emerald. But again, the green undertones unite the palette. Use lime green in smaller accents against a dominantly emerald look.
Emerald green + Lime outfit ideas:
– Emerald green jumpsuit with lime heels
– Lime green belt with an emerald dress
– Emerald green coat with a lime scarf
Colors to Avoid
Steer clear from the following shades, which tend to clash with emerald green:
Orange
Bright orange sits opposite emerald on the color wheel. This strong contrast can be jarring and discordant. Soft corals and peaches may work, but most oranges and yellow-oranges won’t pair attractively.
Pink
Hot pink, fuchsia and bubblegum pink fight against emerald’s cool tones. Pale pink can sometimes work, but many pinks will look mismatched. An exception is pairing emerald with red, which borders pink on the color wheel.
Lime Green
While light lime green can potentially complement emerald in small touches, avoid pairing it in equal, competing amounts. Side-by-side, the two shades often clash. Lime green takes away from emerald’s sophistication.
Brown
Earthy browns and emerald don’t make the most cohesive pairing. Stick to richer neutrals like black, gray and cream rather than brown.
Mustard Yellow
On the color wheel yellow sits opposite green, making it inherently difficult to pair. While lemony yellows can sometimes work, darker mustard tones will clash and look mismatched.
| Colors to Avoid |
|---|
| Orange |
| Pink |
| Lime green in large amounts |
| Brown |
| Mustard yellow |
Tips for Wearing Emerald Green
Follow these tips to get the most stylish use out of emerald green:
– Treat emerald as a neutral – it pairs with practically any other color if worn correctly. Don’t be afraid to get creative.
– Use emerald as a statement color against a neutral palette like black, white or navy. This prevents clashing.
– Incorporate emerald through small accents like bags, shoes, jewelry, scarves if unsure how to pair it with other colors.
– Match metals to the emerald’s undertones. Silvers, grays and steels accentuate the green’s cool tones. Golds and bronzes bring out warmth.
– Avoid mixing emerald and lime green unless lime appears in very small accents. They can easily clash.
– Add metallics and shimmery textures to elevate emerald’s luxuriousness.
– Pair emerald with fellow jewel tones like ruby red, sapphire blue and amethyst purple. This creates rich, eye-catching color schemes.
Conclusion
Emerald green is regal, glamorous and so fitting for springtime. While stunning on its own, thoughtfully chosen accent colors can make an emerald green outfit truly dazzling. Stick to cool, harmonious shades like metallic, blue, purple, teal and light mint green for foolproof pairings. Avoid hot colors like orange, yellow and pink, which tend to clash. With the right coordinating colors, emerald green can be worn and enjoyed with confidence.
