This orange red caught me by total surprise this season. I can’t seem to get away from it, and it’s drawing me in like a moth to a flame!
When I first saw a dress with in this color, I was like, “Oooh, yikes, that’s pretty bright–I don’t think I could do that.” But then I saw the color again with the lace tee from J.Crew Factory that I recently talked about (THIS one). I ordered that along with the white one, thinking it probably didn’t stand a chance. But whenever I tried it on and did a sanity check with Benson, he kept telling me it looked good–and he tells it to me straight with clothes. And now…well, the color has totally grown on me and I ended up getting a secondhand orange red Old Navy dress from thredUP too!
I know a lot of you may find this color too bright. I know I did. But, it’s such a fun color for summer! So, in case I’ve sparked your interest and you want some color combo inspiration, today I’m showing a few different color combos you could do with orange red.
Most of them are in the form of accessories because it’s the simplest way to show color pairings. Plus, with such a bright color I’m gun shy about doing full color blocking. I’d rather just add a slight touch of another color!
Neutrals
Let’s start with the obvious ones–neutrals. A great way to tone down a bright color is with neutrals, so I added a light wash denim jacket, white sneakers, and a gold pendant. (Some of my favorite pieces this year if you couldn’t tell by how often I wear/talk about them!) Easy peasy.
Shop for the Look:
Dress: c/o thredUP (similar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Zappos (exact updated version)
Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Yellow – next door on the color wheel
If you read the Wardrobe From Scratch Series, you might recall a post on choosing colors for your wardrobe, which includes a color wheel (HERE). Yellow is next to orange red in various shades, and it’s a really fun pop of color to add to an already bright color. Somehow it doesn’t feel too crazy!
Shop for the Look:
Top: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: Old Navy
Shoes: Nordstrom (exact)
Blush – next door on the color wheel
On the other side of orange red are pinks and deeper reds, and as I went through my necklace options I thought to try pale pink and ended up really, really liking it! It wouldn’t have been my first thought, but I like how the blush tones down the orange red’s brightness without doing a neutral. I was originally going to pair this pale pink necklace with white sandal wedges (HERE) but instead bookended the look with blush flats.
Shop for the Look:
Top: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Necklace: H&M
Shoes: Amazon (exact, similar)
Turquoise – opposite side of the color wheel
And of course, my favorite color to accessorize almost any color–turquoise! I absolutely love turquoise and orange or red together!
Shop for the Look:
Dress: c/o thredUP (similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom
Shoes: Nordstrom (exact)
My lace tee is currently on sale. It does run a little short (I have a shorter torso) which would make it great if you’re petite. I normally wear size S/M or 6/8 and got this in 8. Size 8 is 23.5-24″ long.
Here are a few other orange red pieces from Old Navy, Nordstrom, LOFT, and J.Crew Factory. And stuff is on SALEEEEEEEE thanks to Memorial Day!
