I’ve always loved the color red for many reasons—it’s bold, it’s vibrant, it’s the name of a Taylor Swift album. I mean, what’s not to like?
According to color psychology, red is the color most likely to bring about a strong emotional response because of its warm and vibrant hue.
When I wear red (and as you’ll see in this article, I wear red a lot) I am far more likely to get comments or compliments on my outfits.
If you’re ready to add more red into your wardrobe and stand out a bit from the crowd I’ve got you covered.
Today we’re going to explore what colors go best with red in an outfit so that you can plan your looks accordingly.
You can always start small with red touches like sunglasses and shoes or even work your way up to a red-hot monochrome outfit.
I’m also sharing tips on some of the best patterns to mix in with red, how to start incorporating red into your wardrobe through accessories and which colors are harder to style with red so you can avoid them, at least in the beginning.
The 9 Best Colors to Wear With Red
I’m a visual learner so I decided to put together a little color palette featuring some of the color combinations we’re going to focus on in this post.
Now because red is such a bold color, sometimes it’s helpful to match red’s energy with another vibrant hue.
Other times, you may want to reach for a more neutral color to balance out your outfit. Here are a few ideas for both!
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Red Outfit Ideas
Black and Red
So, red and black is without question my most repeated outfit color combination that you’ll find in this post. There’s no disputing this one: red and black go together SO well.
You can choose one red piece to wear and keep the rest of the outfit black, or you can make red the focus and add in black shoes or a purse.
This combination can change depending on accessories: you can go more punk rock with combat boots or a studded bag or wear cat-eye sunglasses and a beret be stylish and chic.
Red and white
Another great option to wear with red anything in the white family—this can also include cream shades too.
Red and white will give off an inherently brighter, lighter feeling making this one of my favorite combinations for the warmer months.
Red and camel
This may be my new favorite discovery in terms of color combinations.
I have been incorporating more shades of brown into my wardrobe ever since discovering that I am in the dark autumn color season and red and camel to me are a match made in heaven.
You may already even own a wardrobe staple in a camel or khaki shade, so consider pairing them with something red the next time you reach for them.
Red and pink
Let me welcome you into the playful and fun world of the red and pink color combination.
We don’t just need to reserve this pairing for Valentine’s Day—with so many shades of each to choose from you can create a unique look when you pair them together.
I find it equally fun to wear a baby pink with a bold red (it’s giving Glossier You) and to wear a deeper fuchsia or hot pink shade for a statement-making ‘fit.
Red and blue (denim)
There are a few ways to approach the pairing of red and blue without accidentally looking like a walking American flag.
First, consider pairing red with either a light or dark wash denim and maybe skip the medium wash unless it’s Memorial Day.
Red also looks great with unexpected shades of blue like periwinkle or robin’s egg blue.
Red and gray
If you’re in need of a neutral but you want something a little more subtle than black, gray is another great color to mix into a red outfit.
It won’t clash with red and if anything will help it stand out even more. You can try a light gray in the warmer months and lean into charcoal and deeper shades for winter.
Red and gold
If I had to pick a pairing that felt the most sophisticated from this list, I’d choose red and gold. I love this combination because it feels glamorous and elevated.
You can mix in gold through hardware like a belt buckle or jewelry or even go as far to wear a jacket with gold embellishments or a pair of gold sandals.
Red and purple
To me there is something that feels very regal about the pairing of red and purple. If I had a family crest in Game of Thrones, I have a feeling it would feature both of these colors.
Plus, this Meaghan Markle outfit from 2019 still lives in my head rent-free (I can’t explain why) but it’s clear that was the vibe I was trying to emulate with this look.
Red and orange
Because red and orange are analogous colors (meaning they sit next to one another on the color wheel) they share similar characteristics.
They’re both warm and vibrant colors and when you mix them together you can create a bold and fun look.
More tips for styling red outfits:
If you’re looking to add a little extra flair to your red outfit, here are some go-to tips that make styling red easy.
Patterns that pair perfectly with red
Red plays surprisingly well with a variety of prints. If you’re not ready to go full monochrome, try mixing red with:
Stripes
- A classic black and white stripe can ground a red piece and give off a chic European vibe. You can also mix a colorful striped piece with red for a fun, monochromatic look.
Polka Dots
- Whether you choose a red polka dot pattern or add red accessories to a monochromatic dotted look, this combo feels playful and vintage-inspired.
Leopard
- Red and leopard print together make a powerful style statement. Try a red dress with a leopard heel or bootie or scarf for a fun twist.
Plaid
- Especially during fall and winter, red plaid patterns are timeless. Think cozy, oversized flannel shackets for a bit of a sporty feel or skirts to put some prep in your step.
Exploring different shades of red
Red isn’t one-size-fits-all. Playing with different tones can help you find what works best for your skin tone or the vibe you’re going for:
True red
- When I think of true red, I’m talking fire-engine red. This classic shade works well for statement pieces like dresses or blazers.
Orange reds
- Slightly warmer and more summery, an orange red shade looks amazing in casual pieces like tanks or sundresses.
Deep reds
- Depending on the rest of your closet and your color season you may prefer a deeper red like burgundy or wine—perfect for a moody, elegant look in the cooler months.
Easy ways to start wearing red
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a red outfit, start small with accessories that still pack a punch:
Bags
- A red purse instantly brightens up a neutral look and gives you a dose of color without overwhelming the whole look.
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Shoes
- One of the easiest ways to test out a new color is in your footwear. Red heels or sneakers can transform an otherwise simple outfit into something more fashion-forward.
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Sunglasses
- Red frames are playful and unexpected—perfect for adding a vintage touch to your summer wardrobe.
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What colors don’t pair as well with red?
- If the thought of red and green brings your mind straight to Christmas, you’re not alone. Red and green are complementary colors on the color wheel, meaning they sit opposite from one another. This is the most high contrast pairing you can wear and because they’re so different, mixing them together gets tricky.
- Red and yellow outfits are also tricky to pull off in my eyes. Since they’re both primary colors, the vibe can go elementary very quickly. There can be nice ways to pair these colors but you need to find the right balance when it comes to shades, saturation and vibrance. Overall, I can’t not think of McDonald’s when I see red and yellow together.
When in doubt, start by pairing red with neutrals like black, white, gray or camel to ease your way into the styling options.
I hope you loved this post and found lots of inspiration for how to start wearing red in your wardrobe. Any questions or favorite looks? Share them in the comments!
You may also like: What to Wear With Brown
yours,
Austen
