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What colors go with black?

Black carries almost any color; these five do it best. How much black you can wear near your face depends on your season.

Find what fits me best

What to wear with black

  • black #111111
  • white #FFFFFF

Black and white

Neutral base High contrast

No pair has more light-dark contrast, so every line of the outfit reads clearly: a collar, a hem, a stripe. With no hue in either color, the look depends on cut and fabric, graphic in cotton and formal in silk.

When to wear it: A white shirt under a black suit or blazer for evening events and interviews, a striped Breton top with black jeans on weekends, a white tee with a black slip skirt in summer.

What to avoid: A white shirt with black pants and nothing else can read as a server's uniform at a party; a black blazer, a striped knit or one bold piece of jewelry changes that. Splitting the outfit exactly at the waist also cuts you in two, so let one of the two dominate.

Suits: Deep WinterCool WinterBright Winter

  • black #111111
  • light grey #CBCBCB

Black and light grey

Neutral base High contrast

Pale grey is nearly as light as white but without the glare, so the contrast with black stays high while the outfit looks quieter. Neither color has a hue, which keeps the pair clean, modern and easy to repeat all week.

When to wear it: Every month of the year: a heather grey tee or sweatshirt with black jeans, a pale grey knit under a black wool coat, a light grey shirt with a black suit for a dinner. Over a black dress, a dove-grey cardigan makes it office wear.

What to avoid: Grey knits that have pilled or faded look shabby beside crisp black, so retire them early. A mid grey in this spot closes the gap in depth and the outfit turns flat; keep the grey clearly pale.

Suits: Cool WinterBright WinterDeep Winter

  • black #111111
  • red #C8102E

Black and red

Neutral base Medium contrast

Black is the darkest backdrop a saturated red can get, so the red looks more intense and the black looks chosen on purpose. The pair is pure contrast, best on coloring that can carry intensity.

When to wear it: Evenings, parties and the winter holidays: a red dress with black heels and a black clutch, a black suit with a red tie, a red cashmere sweater with black wide-leg pants. Red shoes or a red bag are the quieter way in for daytime.

What to avoid: Half red and half black looks like a playing card; one strong red piece on mostly black works better. Orange-leaning tomato reds and blue-leaning crimsons behave differently against skin, so choose the one that agrees with your undertone.

Suits: Bright WinterDeep Winter

  • black #111111
  • emerald green #00936B

Black and emerald green

Neutral base High contrast

A clear jewel tone sits on black like a stone in a dark setting: the black holds back and the green glows. Emerald is cool and saturated, so the pair looks rich without the obviousness of black and red.

When to wear it: Cocktail parties, formal evenings and December events: an emerald satin dress with black heels, an emerald silk blouse under a black tuxedo jacket, a black wool coat with an emerald scarf.

What to avoid: A greyish, muted green loses its glow next to black and only looks dull, so keep the green clear. A third bright color competes with the emerald; keep shoes and bag black and the jewelry to one metal.

Suits: Bright WinterDeep Winter

  • black #111111
  • light pink #F8CAD5

Black and light pink

Neutral base High contrast

Pale pink softens black more than any other partner here: it brings light and a flush of color near the face while black keeps the outfit grounded. The contrast is high, but the pink keeps it gentle.

When to wear it: Spring and summer: a light pink blouse with black slacks at the office, a black dress under a pale pink cardigan, black jeans with a pink knit on weekends. It also suits daytime weddings, where all-black can feel heavy.

What to avoid: A dusty, greyish pink can look dirty against pure black, so keep the pink clean and light. Lots of black lace or leather with sugary pink tips into dress-up; balance one with plain pieces.

Suits: Cool WinterDeep Winter

Which of these flatter you depends on your color season. Find my season →

Colors to keep away from black

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Black goes with everything in theory, and in practice it changes every color you put beside it: light colors look lighter, bright ones brighter, warm ones richer. It is the deepest neutral in a wardrobe and has no undertone to argue with, which is why a black blazer, dress or pair of jeans can carry almost any second color.

Your face is the exception. Up at the neckline, black is all depth and no softness: it looks sharp on cool coloring with strong contrast between hair, skin and eyes, and it deepens every shadow on light or muted coloring. If it does that to you, keep black for pants, skirts, shoes and bags, and wear something lighter above it. If it suits you, white and light grey are its everyday partners, while red and emerald turn it into an evening look.

Wearing black when it drains you

If black at your collar makes you look tired, you do not have to give it up. Wear it where it never meets your coloring: black pants, skirts, boots and bags work for every season, because far from the face the outfit's logic matters more than your undertone.

For tops, put a lighter or softer color between black and your face: a cream or pastel scarf, an ivory collar over a black sweater, a light top under a black jacket worn open. Charcoal and deep navy give much of black's depth with less weight.

FAQ

Can you wear black and brown together?

Yes, most easily in leather and away from your face: a cognac belt on black jeans, black boots under brown corduroy, a tan bag with a black coat. Up top it is harder, because black flatters cool, high-contrast coloring and golden browns flatter warm coloring. The darkest browns also sit too close to black in depth, so put a light layer between them.

Is black warm or cool?

Strictly neither, since black has no hue. In clothes it reads cool, because its starkness echoes cool, high-contrast coloring, and black dyes differ: some lean blue, some lean brown. Warm coloring often does better near the face with a brown-black or a deep espresso, while pure black belongs to the Winters.

How do I wear black to a wedding?

At an evening or black-tie wedding, black is widely worn; pair it with a jewel tone such as emerald or deep red, or with metallic shoes and jewelry, to keep it festive. At a daytime wedding, let a lighter color lead: a black dress with a pale pink wrap and metallic sandals looks less somber than black from head to toe.

How do you make an all-black outfit look interesting?

Let texture do what color cannot: matte wool with leather, a chunky knit with silk, black denim with suede. Keep the blacks at the same depth, since a faded black beside a new one looks worn rather than planned. Then add one point of light, such as silver or pearl jewelry, white sneakers or a clear red lip.