The 6 Expensive-Looking Colour Combinations You Have to Try

There's no denying that we love tonal ensembles and that they always look expensive, but that doesn't mean that more adventurous colours can't look equally as premium. The tricky part is knowing hues work together and which just don't. Discovering these Holy Grail colour combinations takes time and lots of trial and error but, if you see it through, you'll reap the sartorial rewards. 

Styling different (even unexpected) colours together is the ideal, cost-free way of giving your wardrobe a refresh ahead of the new season. However, should you find yourself too time-poor to do the leg work, fret not, for Instagram's most iconic dressers have done it all for you.

Stepping away from the beige-and-cream palette that largely dominated our wardrobes last year, the platform's biggest style muses have been experimenting with new colour combinations for 2021. So what should you wear with green? What's the perfect match to tangerine? Keep scrolling to discover the unique colour combinations 2021 is pairing together.

1. BROWN AND AZURE

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Style Notes: Fashion become completely brown obsessed last year, with everything from accessories to outerwear being given the tonal treatment. Give your brown staples a springtime spin with the addition of a bright blue accessory, as championed by Ellie. 

Shop the combo:

2. LILAC AND RED

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(Image credit: @hannasteffanson)

Style Notes: Lilac was one of 2020's biggest colour trends so, if you've already invested in it, then you'll be hear its sticking around for 2021, too. In need of some inspiration, we took to Instagram to find a fun new way to wear it. Turns out, red makes for the perfect, unexpected colour clash. 

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3. TAN AND DENIM-BLUE

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Style Notes: Timeless, ageless and forever in style, the combination of tan hues alongside true denim blues is a winner. You can go casual or make the idea more work appropriate, but we're enjoying this middle ground exemplified by Amy here.

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4. SAGE AND WHITE

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(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

Style Notes: Fresh and slick, shades of white and green will always go well together. Take note of Anne-Victoire's soft fabrics and textural details—that makes the combination even more romantic for this year. 

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5. TANGERINE AND NAVY

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: On its own, bright orange shades can be daunting to wear. However, grounded with a classic colour like navy, it becomes instantly easier to assemble a look with.

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6. ROSE AND BEIGE

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

Style Notes: Beautifully delicate, this elegant colour combination is probably the chicest way to channel pastels we've seen. We love the addition of Karina's snake print shoes, too. 

Shop the combo:

Next up, the key designer bags of 2021.

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over twelve years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories, and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, works closely with influencer talent on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media. Previously, Maxine appeared on TV in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. 


Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship, she was offered a position on the Look magazine fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. She went on to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine works remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh.