How to Wear Orange: The Guy's Guide to a More Colorful Closet
Orange...You Glad We Wrote this Color Primer?
Spring has sprung, flowers are in bloom, and your wardrobe is just begging for a refresh. Our recommendation? Hit your closet with some orange! This bright hue lends itself to surprisingly easy-to-wear color combinations and outfit ideas. Who knew Mother Nature doubled as a style expert?
Below, learn how to wear orange in more outfits:
What colors go with orange
What color goes with orange? Well, you’ve got a few options, actually! Orange goes great with navy, a brighter blue, and also khaki. That means, you can wear orange as the only bright color in an outfit otherwise anchored by neutrals. Or you can hit ’em with a one-two punch of orange and bright blue if you’re looking to take things up a notch. Orange also looks great against army green, like an army green twill jacket.
This hue can pack a punch or make a softer statement, depending how you wear it. We love orange paired with pastel shades, mixed into prints and patterns, and all on its own with your everyday work and weekend basics. Read on to get the details about how to make this shade work, no matter where you’re headed.
How to wear Orange
Consider wearing orange in small doses to work, from a printed pocket square to a rugby striped tie. On your own time, don’t be afraid to go bold, making orange the key color in your top or spring bottoms.
Yes, you can wear the traditionally bright, citrusy shade that reminds you of its namesake fruit. But don’t be afraid to explore the color spectrum, from rust to a hi-vis hue.
// How to Wear Orange at the Office //
SG Says: Feeling shy? Pops of orange in your accessories is just enough to elevate your workplace game. Want to go a little farther? Try a button-down in a muted orange hue.
SG Says: In the cold weather months, you could wear a burnt orange cardigan layered over a plaid sport shirt that also has a hint of the hue in it. Add a sport coat to make things a little more professional.
SG Says: This would be another good outfit for a casual office, albeit for warmer weather. The mix of patterns in the jacket and dress shirt complement each other, rather than compete.
// How to Wear Orange on the Weekend //
SG Says: This is a great example of how to wear a big dose of orange without it feel like “too much.” With washed-out khaki joggers (a look we love, by the way!) and blue sneakers, the overall effect is cool, not comical.
>> See how to wear more colors, like lavender, army green, and yellow
SG Says: Dare to have a little fun with orange in your off-duty wardrobe. Paired with a turquoise blue, the citrus-y hues of the wallet and sneakers really stand out.
Our Spring Style Guide was presented in partnership with Uniqlo USA. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Style Girlfriend possible!
Ready to add some orange to your wardrobe rotation?
If we’ve convinced you it’s time to level up your color game, but you dread the thought of shopping for new clothes…why not let Team SG shop for you?
Let us rescue you from shopping fatigue and sartorial apathy. With our online personal shopping service, we can promise the kind of dedicated attention that will make you feel like the best, most stylish version of the awesome guy you already are! We’ll also help you figure out how to wear your new sweaters (and whatever else you need) with the things you already own. If you’re ready for a shopping plan that’ll save you time, energy, and your sanity, give us a shout.
Orange is my favourite colour but due to my complexion it needs to be an accent. I’ll wear it for a tie, pocket square or maybe a pair of shorts. I think blue and orange is one of the best combinations out there so I would totally wear the first look.
My go to warm weather colour is sea blues but I want to branch out into greens this year.
Then you will love what we have coming up early next month… 😉
Gotta agree with TodC on this one: orange for me is best left as either (a) an accent or (b) something I eat. That being said, I’d be quite okay with some color-blocking acting by way of either a raglan or ringer tee wherein a more suitable color (e.g. navy) is nearer my face than the orange portion. That Fjallraven tee, though… reminds of those sk8er boi days.
As for my go-to hues for warmer weather: I replace black with navy/gray when possible, reds are on play, and there’s this plaid sea green/navy number which when worn, that Jamaica-Bermuda song plays on my mind.
mm, now I’m hungry for citrus fruit..
I’ve been going with red and various shades of blue. I could, and probably should, mix in some blood orange. I have fairly dark skin so I can pull off bright colors. I like the office look above. Have not and probably never will do joggers.
Hahah, so yes to orange, no to joggers. Got it 🙂
Ah, orange. It pairs so well with blue. All the cool states’ colleges use this color scheme, Illinois for example.
I often use pale blues when the weather warms but am branching into greens and light greys. I might need some orange as a balance, perhaps in a sneaker.
I bought a Florida baseball hat as a child for that exact reason. Still wear it to this day. Great, great color combo
My old softball team wore blue and orange for years. You can tell it’s a great color scheme when a dozen 20-something guys with careers ranging from a snow plow driver to radio DJ to an actuary can agree on a color pattern…
My old softball team wore blue and orange for years. You can tell it’s a great color scheme when a dozen 20-something guys with careers ranging from a snow plow driver to radio DJ to an actuary can agree on a color pattern…
I bought a Florida baseball hat as a child for that exact reason. Still wear it to this day. Great, great color combo
orange and teal but like I kind of feel one has to be the bold rich colour and the other has to be pastelly to work.
pastelly isn’t a word btw just made that up – dig it
I’m really starting to like burgundy. I’ve got a burgundy Henley, so I’ll start to branch out into orange from there.
I’m really starting to like burgundy. I’ve got a burgundy Henley, so I’ll start to branch out into orange from there.
Salmon is my go to hue.
Oh man L’Occitan, my favorite scent ever. Thanks for sharing this reminding me to wear it more often!
so good! and you’re welcome 😉
Oh man L’Occitan, my favorite scent ever. Thanks for sharing this reminding me to wear it more often!