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Gaya

Dearest gentle reader, Quick question. How many black clothes do you own? Don't lie.

Some of you will open your wardrobes, stare at all the clothes you've bought over the years, complain that you have nothing to wear, and still end up wearing the same black trousers and white shirt you wore last weekend. And if it's not black, it's white. Or grey. Or brown. Now, we’re not saying that there’s anything wrong with neutral colours. They’re great, versatile, easy to style and can make a very good outfit. But come on. Aren't you even a little curious about what else you could wear?

Maybe you've been eyeing that bright blue shirt but have no idea what trousers to pair it with. Or you love colourful outfits, but you're tired of combining the same shades every time. Or perhaps you’re still too busy wondering if the colours would actually look good on your skin. Don’t worry, don’t worry, we got you.&nbsp;

Sometimes, all you need is one unexpected colour combination to make an outfit feel completely different. So, whether you're trying to escape your black-and-white era or simply looking for new ways to style the colours you already own, here are seven combinations worth trying.

Look, this combo right here eats down, especially for when you want your outfit to stand out without doing too much. Yeah we know that blue and brown might not be the first colours you'd think to wear together, especially when we're talking about a blue as bright as cobalt, but that is exactly what makes this combination interesting.

Cobalt blue is bold and vibrant, while chocolate brown adds warmth and balances the brightness. Are you seeing the vision? And before you start wondering where you're supposed to wear it to, relax; this combo is not only for fashion-week themed events.&nbsp;

If you're keeping it subtle: Try chocolate-brown trousers with a cobalt-blue shirt. Or wear an otherwise brown outfit with a blue handbag, scarf or pair of shoes. If you want to go bold: Pair a cobalt-blue blazer with chocolate-brown wide-leg trousers. A cobalt-blue dress with a brown jacket and accessories could work beautifully too. For a more relaxed look, a cobalt-blue T-shirt with brown cargo trousers is another option. The trick is to let one colour lead while the other supports it, you get? And thankfully, your brown trousers can finally have a life outside white and black shirts.

Now, this one is for when you want something colourful but still soft and sophisticated. Burgundy has been having its moment in fashion, and understandably so. It's rich, elegant and surprisingly easy to style. But instead of pairing it with black or beige (as usual), why not try butter yellow? Butter yellow is a soft, pale shade of yellow. Unlike brighter yellows, it introduces colour without immediately taking over the outfit. And when it is paired with burgundy, it creates a contrast that is interesting without being overwhelming.

If you're keeping it subtle: Wear burgundy trousers with a butter-yellow top, or introduce a butter-yellow handbag into a burgundy outfit. If you want to go bold: Try a butter-yellow dress with a burgundy blazer and matching accessories. Or pair a burgundy jacket with butter-yellow trousers. You can also wear a burgundy knit top with a butter-yellow skirt for a softer look. By the way, if you're someone who usually avoids yellow because you think it's too bright, this might just be the shade that changes your mind.&nbsp;

This combo is great for when you want to mix something earthy with something playful. We all know Green is a classic, right? And we’re not just talking about any shade of green here; we’re talking olive green. It has that muted, earthy feel that makes it easy to wear, and then there is soft pink, which introduces a little warmth and playfulness. Together, they create a combination that is unexpected but wearable.

If you're keeping it subtle: Try olive-green cargo trousers with a pale-pink T-shirt. You could also wear an olive-green dress or jumpsuit with soft-pink accessories. If you want to go bold: Pair a soft-pink blazer with olive-green trousers, or style an olive-green skirt with a pink blouse and matching shoes. And of course, we didn’t forget our men. You can style an olive-green overshirt over a soft-pink T-shirt. It’s an easy way to experiment without committing to a completely colourful outfit if that isn’t your usual vibe. And if you already own olive-green trousers, congratulations. You've just found another reason to stop wearing them with black every other time. You’re welcome.

This one is for when you want a combination that works for casual outings and dressier occasions. There's something about burnt orange and navy blue that just works. Burnt orange is warm and noticeable, while navy blue provides a darker, calmer contrast. It's one of those combinations that can look playful in a casual outfit and polished in a more formal one.

If you're keeping it subtle: Try a navy-blue outfit with burnt-orange accessories. Or wear a burnt-orange shirt with navy trousers. If you want to go bold: Pair a burnt-orange blazer with navy-blue trousers, or wear a navy-blue dress with a burnt-orange jacket. For a casual weekend look, navy jeans and a burnt-orange top can do the job without requiring any elaborate styling. You could even experiment with the pairing in traditional-inspired outfits, using one colour for the main fabric and the other for accessories or detailing. The beauty of this combination is that you can adjust how noticeable you want the orange to be.&nbsp;

For people who love neutrals but are willing to try just a little colour, this one is for you. We’re speaking directly to all ye "I'm not really a colourful person” comrades. Let's start with lilac, alright? Lilac is a soft shade of purple, and when paired with charcoal grey, it adds just enough colour to make an outfit interesting. Charcoal grey is darker than regular light grey, so it creates a lovely contrast with lilac without making the outfit feel too busy.

If you're keeping it subtle: Wear charcoal-grey trousers with a lilac shirt, or add a lilac scarf or bag to an otherwise grey outfit. If you want to go bold: Try a lilac blazer with charcoal-grey trousers, or a lilac dress layered with a structured charcoal-grey jacket. A lilac knit shirt with charcoal-grey tailored trousers is also a great smart-casual option. And because the grey provides a neutral base, this is one of the easier combinations to experiment with if you're still figuring out how to wear more colour. So you see? You don’t have to abandon your neutrals completely.

This one is for when you're ready to stop playing it safe. Haha, now we’re really getting to it. Red and powder blue might sound like an unusual combination, but that's part of the appeal. Red is bold and energetic, while powder blue is lighter and softer. When you put them together, the contrast gives the outfit personality.

If you're keeping it subtle: Try powder-blue jeans with a red top. Or wear a powder-blue shirt with a red handbag, shoes or cap. If you want to go bold: Pair a red blazer with powder-blue trousers, or style a powder-blue dress with a red jacket. For men, a powder-blue button-down shirt with a red knit sweater or jacket can create an interesting layered look. And if you're thinking, "Won't that be too much colour?" Nope, not necessarily. You can use white, cream or other neutral accessories to balance the outfit. You can also choose a deeper red if you prefer a less striking contrast. The point isn't to wear the brightest versions of both colours, right. The goal is to experiment until you find a balance you actually like.

Now, this one is for when you want to look put together without spending an hour deciding what to wear. If you're looking for a combination that feels polished, emerald green and cream deserve your attention. Emerald green is rich and vibrant, while cream softens the overall look. And unlike some combinations that might take a little experimenting, this one can be surprisingly straightforward to style.

If you're keeping it subtle: Wear cream trousers with an emerald-green shirt, or pair a cream outfit with an emerald-green handbag, scarf or jacket. If you want to go bold: Try an emerald-green suit with a cream shirt or an emerald-green dress with a cream blazer and accessories. You could also style an emerald-green kaftan or traditional outfit with cream-coloured accessories. The combination works for casual outfits, office wear, dinners and occasions where you want to look a little more dressed up. And no, you don't need an expensive wardrobe to pull it off. Sometimes, it's simply about pairing the right pieces.

But What If You're Still Scared of Mixing Colours?

First of all, relax. We’re not asking you to turn every outfit into a complicated experiment. If you're new to combining colours, here are a few things that can make the process easier:

And one more thing: don't let somebody convince you that you can't wear a particular colour because of your complexion. Different shades can create different effects, but your skin tone doesn't have to determine your entire wardrobe. Fashion is also about personal preference, confidence and how you choose to put an outfit together.

Your Wardrobe Might Not Need More Clothes. Just More Imagination.

Of course, nobody is saying you should throw away your black clothes. Please keep them. We love black over here, but if you've been wanting to experiment with colour, perhaps it's time to stop convincing yourself that everything outside your usual combinations is too much.

You can try the cobalt-blue shirt with brown trousers or wear the burgundy and butter yellow. Bring out that red bag you've been saving for a special occasion, and see what happens when you pair it with powder blue. You might either love the result or decide a particular combination isn't for you. That's fine too.

The whole point of experimenting with fashion is discovering what you enjoy wearing, not following every trend that appears on your feed. So the next time you open your wardrobe and start reaching for the same black outfit again, look around first, okay? You might already have everything you need to try something different.&nbsp;

Your wardrobe deserves a little variety. Here are seven colour combinations to try, whether you prefer subtle outfits or love making a statement.

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