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What colors go with silver?

Silver is a cool metallic, so it shines brightest beside cool colors, from black and navy to pale pink and plum.

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What to wear with silver

  • silver #C0C0C0
  • black #111111

Silver and black

Neutral base High contrast

Black is the darkest ground silver can have, so every sequin and every thread of lurex catches the eye. Both colors are cool, and the high contrast reads as classic evening glamour.

When to wear it: Cocktail parties, New Year's Eve and black-tie events: a silver sequin top with black cigarette pants, a black dress with silver heels and drop earrings, a silver metallic sweater with a black leather skirt.

What to avoid: Shine on shine, such as silver sequins with black patent and satin, quickly looks like stagewear; let one piece sparkle and keep the rest matte. Dull, greyish plating looks cheap against black, so choose bright, polished metal.

Suits: Cool WinterBright Winter

  • silver #C0C0C0
  • navy blue #1F2A4D

Silver and navy blue

Neutral base High contrast

Navy is softer than black, so silver against it looks moonlit rather than stark. The cool undertones match, and the gap in lightness is still wide enough for the metal to stand out.

When to wear it: Evening weddings and winter parties: a navy gown with silver sandals, a navy suit with silver cufflinks and a tie bar, a silver pleated skirt with a navy cashmere sweater.

What to avoid: A brassy, champagne-toned silver pulls warm against navy and loses the moonlit effect, so keep the metal cool. Navy satin and silver lamé both shine; pair one shiny piece with one matte one.

Suits: Cool SummerCool WinterBright Winter

  • silver #C0C0C0
  • light pink #F8CAD5

Silver and light pink

Neutral base Low contrast

Light pink and silver are both pale and gentle, so together they look soft and romantic. The metal adds light without adding contrast, which flatters light, delicate coloring.

When to wear it: Spring weddings, proms and baby showers: a pale pink dress with silver sandals, a silver pleated skirt with a pink knit, fine silver jewelry with a pink silk blouse.

What to avoid: With so little contrast, the outfit can look washed out on deeper coloring; a darker shoe or bag adds depth. Lots of glitter with pastel pink can look childish, so pick a single metallic piece.

Suits: Cool WinterLight SummerSoft Autumn

  • silver #C0C0C0
  • royal blue #2A4BBF

Silver and royal blue

Neutral base High contrast

Royal blue is saturated and cool, and silver sharpens its brightness the way frost sharpens a winter sky. The contrast is strong, so the pair suits coloring that can carry clear, intense color.

When to wear it: Holiday parties and formal evenings: a royal blue dress with silver heels and earrings, a silver sequin top with royal blue wide-leg pants, a royal blue suit with a silver-grey tie.

What to avoid: Adding gold to this pair confuses its temperature, so stay with silver, white gold or platinum. Muted, greyish blues lose their life next to bright silver; keep the blue clear.

Suits: Cool WinterBright Winter

  • silver #C0C0C0
  • plum #6E2F5E

Silver and plum

Neutral base High contrast

Plum is a deep, cool purple with a little red in it. Silver brings light to its darkness, and because the two share a cool undertone, the result looks rich and dressy, never flashy.

When to wear it: Fall and winter evenings: a plum velvet dress with silver jewelry, a silver sweater with plum wide-leg pants, plum boots with a silver midi skirt. It suits holiday dinners and theater nights.

What to avoid: A warm, brownish plum next to silver can look slightly off, so choose a plum that leans blue. A lot of silver on dark plum looks theatrical; start with jewelry or shoes.

Suits: Cool SummerCool Winter

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

Colors to keep away from silver

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Silver changes with the light in a way no dyed fabric can. In daylight a silver skirt reads as a cool, pale grey; under candles or party lights it switches on and flashes. A sequin top, a lamé dress, a metallic knit, silver sandals or a stack of silver rings all bounce that light toward whatever sits beside them, which is why silver looks festive after dark and why small doses do most of the work.

Its temperature matters more than its brightness. Silver echoes cool undertones, so it sits easily on cool and muted coloring and beside cool colors: black, navy, the blues, pinks and purples. Warm, earthy colors tend to make it look tinny. For a first try, keep silver to shoes, a bag or jewelry and let one of the colors below carry the outfit.

FAQ

Which dress colors look best with silver shoes?

Silver shoes suit most cool colors: black, navy, royal blue, emerald, plum, every pink and any grey darker than the shoes. They also work with white and pastel dresses at daytime weddings. With warm, earthy dresses in rust, olive or mustard, gold or bronze shoes usually look better.

Does silver suit warm or cool undertones?

Cool ones, mostly. Its grey-white shine echoes blue and pink undertones, which is why silver tends to flatter cool and muted coloring near the face. Warm coloring often looks better in gold, though a soft, brushed silver can work there too. Champagne and rose gold sit between the two.

Is it okay to mix silver and gold jewelry?

Yes, if it looks intended. Repeat both metals at least twice, a ring and a bracelet in each, or choose one piece that already mixes them, such as a two-tone watch. Let one metal lead and the other accent; a single gold piece among lots of silver looks like an accident.

Does silver go with brown?

It can, with care. Silver jewelry and buckles look good on cool, greyish browns such as taupe, and on near-black espresso. With golden browns, camel and cognac, silver tends to look cold and slightly cheap, and gold or brass suits them better. A brown leather bag with silver hardware is an easy way to test the mix.

Is silver a good choice for a wedding guest?

Yes, in the right amount. Pair it with navy, pale pink, dusty blue, lavender or plum. At a daytime wedding, keep the metal to shoes, a clutch or jewelry. At an evening or black-tie wedding, a silver dress or sequin top is fine, as long as it is not so pale that it reads white in photos.