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Can a red shirt go with brown pants?

Can a red shirt go with brown pants?

Pairing colors for an outfit can seem daunting. With so many hues and shades to choose from, it’s easy to second guess color combinations. Red and brown are versatile neutrals that can work well together if styled properly. When matching these colors, it’s important to consider the tones and textures involved. By following some basic guidelines, you can create stylish looks with red and brown.

Factors to Consider

When pairing a red shirt with brown pants, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:

  • Shade of red – Bright, true reds tend to clash with brown. Opt for muted, earthy reds like rust, burgundy, maroon or oxblood which complement brown better.
  • Shade of brown – Rich cappuccino, chocolate or coffee browns pair nicely with red. Avoid light tans or stone shades.
  • Texture – Varied textures can help marry the two colors. Try a textured brown pant with a smooth, silky red top.
  • Accents – Ties, scarves, shoes or belts in shades like navy, tan or grey nicely bridge the gap between red and brown.
  • Skin tone – Determine whether the red is flattering with your complexion. Brown typically suits most skin tones.

By selecting the right hues and finishes for your red and brown pieces, you can make them work in harmony. Here are some pointers for getting the color combo right:

Choosing the Right Red

True bright reds can look mismatched with autumnal browns. Instead, consider these softer reds that combine more elegantly:

  • Burgundy – A dark, deep red that pairs perfectly with chocolate browns. The richness of the two colors complement each other beautifully.
  • Oxblood – A brownish-maroon red that marries seamlessly with coffee and tan browns. This red has vintage appeal.
  • Rust – A muted, earthy red that works well with lighter browns like beige or stone. Rust has a relaxed, casual vibe.
  • Merlot – A red wine shade that looks sophisticated alongside cognac or walnut browns. Ideal for smart-casual outfits.

These muted reds have a brownish undertone that allows them to blend more smoothly with different brown hues. They give you a put-together look compared to bright, fire engine reds.

Choosing the Right Brown

Brown is a versatile neutral that comes in many shades. Some pair better with red than others:

Brown Shade Pairing Notes
Chocolate Classic, rich brown that works with oxblood, burgundy and merlot reds.
Coffee Slightly lighter brown that complements rust and terra cotta reds.
Cognac Smooth reddish-brown that flatters merlot and maroon reds.
Walnut Deep, grayish-brown that suits oxblood and burgundy reds.

Lighter tans and beiges don’t tend to match red as elegantly. But richer cappuccino, chocolate and coffee browns make red pop. For best results, opt for a brown with warm undertones.

Texture Combinations

Mixing textures can help unite the red and brown aesthetic. Consider these pleasing texture combinations:

  • Textured brown pants with a smooth, silky red shirt
  • Suede brown jacket with a lightweight red knit top
  • Corduroy brown trousers with a soft red floral blouse
  • Lacy red blouse with a nubby tweed brown skirt

Contrasting textures add visual interest and dimension. The interplay also helps the red and brown tones gel together, rather than compete.

Tonal Accents

Small accents in tonally suitable colors can act as a bridge between red and brown. Consider adding:

  • Brown or oxblood leather belt
  • Navy or grey tie or scarf
  • Tan or brown shoes or bag
  • Metallic jewelry like bronze, silver or gold

These neutral touches pull the whole look together. They also provide versatility to incorporate red and brown into both casual daytime and formal evening outfits.

Skin Tone Considerations

The right red for your skin can tie the full outfit together. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Fair, cool-toned skin – Rust, merlot and oxblood reds flatter most.
  • Warm, olive skin – Brick reds with orange undertones are most complementary.
  • Darker skin – Vibrant true reds and burgundies tend to work best.
  • Neutral or brown skin – Flexibility to wear both warm and cool-toned reds.

Brown is generally a universal shade that suits all skin tones. Focus on finding your most flattering red for a put-together color combo.

Complete Outfit Ideas

Here are some chic outfit examples to inspire you to wear red with brown:

Casual Daytime

  • Oxblood tee, chocolate brown jeans and tan loafers
  • Rust sweater, coffee trousers and brown belt
  • Burgundy linen shirt, khaki pants and brown messenger bag

Smart Casual

  • Merlot blouse, tan trousers and bronze jewelry
  • Maroon floral dress, chocolate blazer and oxblood heels
  • Oxblood shirt dress, walnut loafers and brown hobo bag

Evening

  • Burgundy gown, brown suede wrap and metallic clutch
  • Rust jumpsuit, chocolate blazer and gold heels
  • Merlot cocktail dress, coffee dress pants and silver jewelry

With the right styling, red and brown can be adapted for diverse occasions. Use accents, texture and tones to make the colors harmonize.

Conclusion

Red and brown can be a stylish color pairing with the right hues and textures. Muted rusty reds tend to complement browns best. Rich chocolate, coffee and walnut browns pair elegantly with oxblood, burgundy and merlot reds. Interesting textures like corduroy, suede and knits help marry the two neutrals. Tonal belts, shoes, scarves and jewelry act as bridges between the colors. Most skin tones can pull off earthy reds and browns. With smart styling choices, this color combo can work for casual daytime, smart casual, and formal evening affairs. Red and brown can be an effortlessly sophisticated pairing.