Orange is not the easiest color to wear as the color can be quite bright and overpowering. However, if you look more carefully, there are actually a lot of fabulous ways to wear orange in all kinds of color combinations. In this updated comprehensive guide I show you how to wear orange in a number of surprising ways.
How to wear orange: Colors that go with orange
As I usually do when I look for inspiration on how to wear a certain color I visited colourlovers.com.
It’s a great site where you can create your own color combinations or get inspired by those of others.
Here is what I found.
The versatility of orange
Can you believe that orange looks so good with so many colors? It’s actually proving to be quite a versatile color.
I have seen orange in the shops in all kinds of shades from very bright to more demure colors, so you can just pick the color orange that suits your complexion and temperament best and mix and match with all these other fine colors.
You don’t even have to buy a garment in this color. Just adding a scarf or a bag will already give you that orange flavor and will add some flair to your outfit.
What skin tone can wear orange?
Orange looks fabulous on all skin tones, if you choose the right shade of orange. Orange tends to be easier to wear if you have a warm skintone. But you can still wear orange if you have a cooler tone. Just choose a bright orange.
How do you wear the color orange?
Surprisingly, orange goes with so many other colors. In this article, we show you lots of ideas for wearing orange, including what colors to wear with it.
Is orange a hard color to wear?
While orange can be tricky to wear, it can also look super stylish. If you want to wear orange but you don’t want to go ‘all-in’, then use orange for your accessories, or choose orange with a print pattern rather than all-over orange.
Does black go with orange?
Of course. Black goes well with everything. You’ll find black and orange outfit ideas if you read on.
Orange outfits 2024 catwalks
There was plenty of orange on the 2024 runways, from peaches to flame orange. The majority of designers who used the shade opted for muted tones or prints. Below is how designers interpreted the trend.
Take a look at the perfect orange clothes and accessories for you
Before you can think about what colors go with orange, you will need to find the perfect orange clothes and accessories to provide inspiration for the rest of your outfit.
You’ll see we’ve updated this article with some extra color combinations.
The perfect orange dress
This shirtdress below comes in a soft peach that is perfect to wear on vacation. Team with metallic accessories.
Ginger & Smart Keepsake Cotton Shirtdress
The perfect orange maxi dress
The maxi dress below is ideal for summer events and vacations.
It makes a statement all by itself, meaning you could keep the rest of your accessories to a minimum and still make a big impact.
Bec & Bridge Azalea Floral Wrap Maxi Dress
Boma @mrs.gaf above chooses a floor skimming orange dress worn with white shoes.
Recreate her outfit with this similar dress (another option here), sandals, bag (another option here) and necklace.
orange t-shirt dress
For a more casual choice, you could opt for a T-shirt dress. You could wear day-to-day with sneakers and a denim jacket. Or, you could easily dress it up for evening with a blazer, heels and a statement necklace. The loose-fit dress (below) has good reviews from women who say it is comfortable and flattering. You can alter the silhouette with a belt.
printed dress
A print is a great way to wear orange, particularly if you aren’t sure about adding this color to your closet. Wear the chiffon dress (below) as a tunic over your leggings.
Chelsea28 Floral Print Long Sleeve Chiffon Dress
asymmetrical dress
We love the asymmetry of the orange tiered dress (below). Dress casually with flat sandals, or wear with heeled sandals for a summer event.
& Other Stories Ruched Relaxed-Fit Asymmetric Dress
sheath dress
You can wear orange in your smart or casual outfits. The sheath dress (below) has a formal look that would work well if you are a wedding guest, with heels for dinner, or you could add a black blazer and loafers for work.
Dress the Population Amada Sheath Dress
jumpsuit
Or, how about an orange jumpsuit? This Vince Camuto jumpsuit (below) would look beautiful with metallic shoes and accessories, or with a white or black blazer and matching shoes.
Jumpsuit from QUARZIA (similar options here and here), sandals from FLY London (similar option here), hat from Brizza (similar option here), similar sunglasses and earrings
The perfect orange shirt
You probably already have a classic white shirt in your closet, but how about an orange shirt in a classic shape?
This shirt from Nordstrom is made from satin, making it perfect to dress up you jeans, or to wear over your leggings.
printed shirt
The print shirt (below) would look good tucked into jeans or worn with leggings. Or, you could wear as a swimsuit cover-up.
Melissa Odabash Paige Paisley Buttoned Shirt
orange t-shirt
Looking for an orange T-shirt to go with your jeans? The T-shirt (below) should keep you cool and stylish.
ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Schoolboy Slub Jersey T-Shirt
orange tank top
For a warm weather top, you may prefer one without sleeves. You could wear with a shirt or lightweight duster jacket over the top.
Veronica Beard Moulin Crewneck Tank Top
The perfect orange top
This top from Chaus has a wrap top, which adds a point of difference.
An orange top would look lovely with white jeans and metallic accessories for summer.
Dayle @artfulcitystyle above (read her style interview here) shows how you can team orange with black.
Get her look with this similar top, pants, shoes and necklace and bracelet.
printed top
A print top like the Misook top (below) will look good worn with your jeans or wide-leg pants.
Misook Abstract Print Crêpe de Chine Top
orange blouse
The orange blouse (below) could be worn alone, or would be ideal to wear under a blazer.
Akris punto Silk Sleeveless Blouse
The perfect orange sweater
Orange can be the ideal color to add some flair to even the most casual of outfits.
You could wear an orange sweater with jeans and sneakers or a leather or pleated skirt.
The American Vintage sweater below would look good layered over a white shirt.
American Vintage Damsville Boatneck Sweater
orange blazer
For a smart option, an orange blazer could be a good jacket choice. The orange blazer (below) could be styled simply with a white t-shirt and jeans. Or, you could wear over a black dress.
The perfect orange cardigan
A long, draped cardigan can be a lovely way to add interest as well as to hide any parts of your body you aren’t so confident about, and to create nice, long lean lines.
This cardigan (below) will add flattering drama to any of your outfits.
Urban CoCo Open Front Knit Cardigan
Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here) shows how you could wear an orange cardigan with your white jeans.
Steal her look with this similar top, cardigan, jeans and espadrille sandals.
The perfect orange jacket
Do you already have a moto jacket or denim jacket in your closet? Instead of traditional black or blue, how about opting for orange?
The luvamia jacket (below) would look stylish worn over a white or black dress for summer. Reviewers say it has the perfect stretch.
the perfect orange jeans
This pair of jeans from GRAPENT (below) is designed with comfortable stretch and could flatter you from day to night. You could wear with a white shirt.
GRAPENT High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans
The perfect orange pants
You could opt for a pair of orange jeans, or choose a more tailored pair of orange pants like these ones below from Akris punto. Either way, these will be the hero piece in your outfit.
Akris punto Chieko Mid-Rise Cropped Pants
printed pants
Printed pants are a great option for casual days, vacations, or summer events.
Figue Charlotte Floral Crop Wide-Leg Pants
The perfect orange skirt
You could wear the skirt below with a white shirt or a camisole and blazer for a dinner date.
Kate Kasin Bow Tie Pencil Skirt
The perfect orange shoes
Shoes can be a stylish way to transform an outfit.
The ballet flat (below) will add a pop of color and an on-trend element to any look.
SARTO by Franco Sarto Flexa Antona Slingback Ballet Flat
Also take a look at arch support shoes for women.
The perfect orange bag
Just as the shoes you wear can make a big difference to the overall look of your outfit, the handbag you opt for can create a refreshing pop of brightness.
AllSaints Ezra Logo Strap Leather Crossbody Bag
Jona @the50plusgirl above chooses an orange floral shirt with her jeans, and matches it to her orange tassel bag.
Check out this similar shirt (other options here and here), jeans, bag, sandals and sunglasses.
orange swimsuit
Do you have a black swimsuit in your wardrobe? Have you thought about an orange swimsuit. It’s unlikely anyone else will have chosen orange, and we love the ruching and tie-detail on the one-piece (below.
You’ll find more inspiration in our article on the best bathing suits for women.
Johanna Ortiz Tarangire One-Piece Swimsuit
So, now that you have chosen your favorite orange item, what color should you wear it with? Below, you will find suggestions.
Let me know in the comments at the bottom which color combination is your favorite.
how to wear orange
Now let’s look at some of the best colors to wear with orange.
1. Pair orange with neutrals – white
A great way to let the bold tones of your orange piece stand out without competing with any other color, is to pair orange with neutrals. From black to nude shades, your look will be cleaner and more refined with the fun and punchy characteristics of orange.
American Vintage Damsville Boatneck Sweater – Akris punto Chiara High-Rise Stretch Wide Jeans – Jessica Simpson Prim Ankle Wrap Pointed Toe Sandal – COACH Dakota Glovetanned Leather Bucket Bag – kate spade new york Precious Delight Hoop Earrings
Shan @teachingonthegc above chooses a great look for summer, with a pair of orange print pants and matching espadrilles.
Check out this similar tank top, pants (another option here), espadrille sandals and crossbody bag.
2. Pair orange with neutrals – black
Is there anything black doesn’t go with? If you aren’t sure what to wear with your orange, black is definitely a safe, and stylish, option.
Chelsea28 Floral Print Long Sleeve Chiffon Dress – Zella Live In High Waist Leggings – Johnston & Murphy Evelyn Open Toe Booties – Madewell The Sydney Zip Top Crossbody Bag – Deepa Gurnani Leesha Crystal Stud Earrings
3. Pair orange with neutrals – beige
Beige is one of those colors which is often seen as “boring”. You may also like to take a look at can you wear beige? One way to make sure that your beige definitely isn’t dull is to wear it with orange.
Cinq à Sept Della Faux Leather Crop Jacket – Vince Camuto Chiffon Jumpsuit – Anne Klein Renatta Sandals – Tory Burch Mini Ella Bio Tote – Kendra Scott Daphne Drop Earrings
Sharryn @thestylishwoman above (read her style interview here) adds a little touch of orange by letting her orange top peek through her outfit.
Steal her look with this similar camisole, poncho, pants, sneakers and earrings.
4. Pair orange with neutrals – gray
Another fantastic way to wear orange is with gray. While gray has an unfair reputation for being dull, wearing with a pop of bright color with definitely liven it up.
AllSaints March Merino Wool Cowl Neck Sweater – Kate Kasin Bow Tie Pencil Skirt – Anne Klein Islander Slingback Pumps – HOBO Jesse Leather Crossbody Bag – Deepa Gurnani Leesha Crystal Stud Earrings
5. Orange and pink
Whether you choose a paler shade of pink or a shocking shade, pink with orange can be an unexpected, yet beautiful combination.
& Other Stories Cropped Knit Cardigan – Favorite Daughter The Taylor Low-Rise Trousers – Stuart Weitzman Pro Sleek Sneaker – COACH Dakota Glovetanned Leather Bucket Bag – kate spade new york Precious Delight Hoop Earrings
Kim @kimair above (read her style interview here) mixes purple with orange and brown.
Check out this similar sweater (another option here), skirt, boots, clutch and sunglasses.
6. Orange with green
If you love a natural style, you could choose a muted olive or pastel green to wear with your orange such as the tones of the pants and top below.
Or, opt for brighter shades of orange and green together.
Naadam Wool & Cashmere V-Neck Sweater – Akris punto Chieko Mid-Rise Cropped Pants – Jessica Simpson Prim Ankle Wrap Pointed Toe Sandal – HOBO Jesse Leather Crossbody Bag – Deepa Gurnani Leesha Crystal Stud Earrings
7. Orange with shades of blue
Pairing orange with navy blue can bring out the best in both colors. Adding orange accessories to navy blue can make a dark shade look more summery.
Melissa Odabash Paige Paisley Buttoned Shirt – Anne Klein Pull-On Pants – Anne Klein Islander Slingback Pumps – Anne Klein Convertible Minimal Hobo Bag – kate spade new york Precious Delight Hoop Earrings
Tanasha @letsrecreatethelook above shows how beautiful orange and cobalt blue look together.
Get her look with this similar shirt, pants, pumps, handbag and earrings.
8. Embrace the purple-orange clash
Orange and purple are a style favorite when it comes to contrasting combinations. Visually appealing, the two dynamic shades create a bold and chic look when paired together.
The key here is to ensure you add a neutral piece, such as a pair of white shoes, a black bag or a dash of gold jewelry, to the look to keep it from being an overwhelming display of colors.
You could also opt for paler peachy oranges and lilacs together.
& Other Stories Faux Wrap Midi Shirt Dress – SARTO by Franco Sarto Flexa Antona Slingback Ballet Flat – Tory Burch Fleming Soft Metallic Quilt Mini Chain Tote – kate spade new york Precious Delight Hoop Earrings
9. Orange with turquoise
Pairing orange with turquoise can be a beautiful look for summer.
& Other Stories Ruched Relaxed-Fit Asymmetric Dress – Spring Step L’Artiste Icon Sandal – Tory Burch Fleming Soft Metallic Quilt Mini Chain Tote – Kendra Scott Daphne Drop Earrings
Melanie @melanie.rae.miller above opts for an orange tiered dress with turquoise.
Recreate outfit with this similar halter dress, sandals and clutch.
10. Embrace orange prints
Combining bold orange hues with unique prints is a very effortless approach to putting together a visually interesting look, with enough of a bright dimension to lighten up your look.
Liverpool Los Angeles Coral Blaze Ikat Print Knit Top – Cala de la Cruz Sonne Apia Striped Linen Maxi Dress – & Other Stories Cropped Knit Cardigan – MELIFLUOS DESIGNED IN SPAIN Paisley Scarf – HOBO Jesse Leather Crossbody Bag – Jessica Simpson Prim Ankle Wrap Pointed Toe Sandal
11. Accessorize with orange
Not ready for a full bold display of orange?
You can add the punchy color as a highlight to your look by incorporating as an accessory.
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote – Coiris Statement Necklace and Earrings Set – PAIGE Beaded Choker Necklace – Gossifan Wide Brim Fedora Hat – Ray-Ban Kiliane Gradient Pillow Sunglasses – TZ Promise Cashmere Feel Scarf
The orange color combination ideas from above put together in one capsule
Below, you can see the outfits from above together in one capsule. You can see you could easily change the looks around to create different outfits. For example, the orange print shirt would look good with the white pants, you can wear the moto jacket over the asymmetric dress, or the stripe cardigan with any of the pants.
shop the best orange pieces above here:
Orange outfits inspiration from earlier capsule wardrobes
Below are a few more example of orange inspired outfits. While the items are past season, it should still provide lots of inspiration for your orange outfits.
Want to know how to wear other colors too?
I have created several color guides for popular colors right now:
Do you plan to wear orange this coming season and which color combination is your favorite?
Continue reading:
- How To Wear Red – Your Comprehensive Guide On Wearing The Color Of Love!
- How To Wear Yellow And Brighten Up Your Day!
- How To Wear Green – Which Of These Color Palettes And Outfits Is Your Favorite?
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Feature image by Tanasha @letsrecreatethelook
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. She is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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