5 Colour Combinations That Always Work

You’ve probably been told at some point that the key to the colour wheel is picking shades opposite each other. Scratch that. In 2017, the theory is dead. Only Santa Claus can pull off red and green.

That isn’t to say there’s no formula whatsoever. We spoke to five experts on the best colour combinations that just, well, work. And thankfully, not a single one will have you looking like an elf.

Black + Camel

Pay little heed to anyone who says that camel is boring. The lighter tone is far easier to wear than dark brown and sits comfortably with monochrome shades.

“While black provides a solid base, camel pieces can lift a look to memorability without taking a risk,” explains stylist Jenna Riddle, who has worked with the likes of Nike, John Lewis and Next. “Plus, camel pieces are often either woollen or textured, which can add further depth to your outfit.”

As for the ratio, Riddle suggests a 70:30 split, with black outweighing camel: “Build an all-black look as usual, but opt for a camel overcoat or jacket as a finishing touch.”

Navy + Burgundy

Since nobody wants to look like a fresh bruise, blue and purple together is usually off-limits. Yet, for a risk-free alternative, swap the bright primary school shades for a deeper navy and burgundy combination.

“The richness of burgundy and an inky navy complement each other well,” says River Island Style Studio boss Giles Farnham. “The blue grounds the outfit, while burgundy lends itself to smarter looks.”

Farnham suggests putting this partnership to work with a burgundy roll neck worn under a navy suit or tucked into a pleated trouser.

Brown + Green

Nature calls this season as brands both high street and high-end tap earth tones. Thanks to a slew of impeccably tailored pieces, fashion is reclaiming safari-chic from Indiana Jones territory.