Winter Colors in Clothing: Which Colors Go Together in Winter

Winter colors are dark, deep shades such as black, charcoal, navy, burgundy, forest green and brown, complemented by light shades such as white, cream and camel. The easiest winter look is a dark base, a light knit and one accent.

In winter, black is often the first choice. That works, but it is easy to freshen up. The article shows the palette color by color, each with one or two combinations, plus three outfits to copy. How to layer the pieces is explained in the guide Winter outfits for women.

Which colors go with winter clothing?

Winter colors are muted and deep, with light shades added for contrast. For orientation, they can be sorted into five groups:

• Dark base. Black, charcoal and navy.
• Light shades. White and cream.
• Warm shades. Brown and camel.
• Deep accents. Burgundy and forest green.
• Soft accents. Ice blue and rosé.

Which colors belong to your own color type is answered in the guide Winter color type colors. This guide is about the palette and how it comes together in an outfit.

How do I combine winter colors?

There are three simple rules for combining:

• Tone on tone. Two or three shades from one color family, for example black, charcoal and gray, make a calm look.
• Light with dark. A light knit in white or cream with dark pants adds contrast to the outfit.
• One accent. One color such as burgundy, forest green or rosé sits in a single piece, for example a scarf or a hat.

Because dark shades go well together, the accent can be strong. Scarf and hat are quick to swap and keep the rest of the outfit calm.

Black, charcoal and navy: the dark base

Black. Black is a classic base in winter and mixes with all other winter colors. Black with white or cream is clear, black with burgundy is deeper. The basic sweater in black goes with light jeans, for example. More on this in the guide Which color goes with black. You can find black pieces in the black clothing collection.

Charcoal. Charcoal is a dark gray and adds gradation to a black look. Charcoal goes with burgundy, cream and camel. The jersey pants with leopard print in charcoal go with a plain top in black, so the pattern stays in the center. More on this in the guide Which color goes with charcoal.

Navy. Navy is the calm counterpart to black. Navy goes with camel, cream, gray and burgundy. The check jacket in navy blue is worn open over a top and light jeans. More on this in the guide Which color goes with navy.

White and cream: the light shades in winter

White and cream bring light into dark winter colors. A cream sweater with black pants is a simple start, and a white top under navy or charcoal brightens the outfit. White is clearer, cream makes the transition softer. Both shades also go with burgundy and forest green.

Burgundy and forest green: the deep accents

Burgundy is a deep wine red, forest green a dark, muted green. Both are strong and work best in a single piece, for example a scarf or a sweater.

• Burgundy. Goes with gray, black, cream and camel. The light sweater in burgundy looks calm and clear with gray pants.
• Forest green. Goes with black, cream, camel and gray.

More on this shade in the guide Combining burgundy. You can find matching pieces in the burgundy clothing collection.

Brown and camel: the warm shades in winter

Dark brown and light camel bring warmth into winter colors. Brown goes with cream, gray and burgundy, camel with navy, black and white. Brown with camel makes a tone-on-tone look. The oversize cardigan in brown goes with light jeans. Matching pieces are in the brown clothing collection.

Ice blue and rosé: the soft accents

Ice blue and rosé are light, soft shades and set a gentle accent in winter. Both work best in a single piece, for example a knit sweater or a scarf.

• Ice blue. Goes with charcoal, navy, white and gray.
• Rosé. Goes with gray, charcoal, black and cream.

Three outfits in winter colors

Black and cream. Cream sweater, black pants and black boots. Add a scarf in burgundy as the only accent.

Charcoal, tone on tone. Gray sweater, charcoal pants and a dark gray hat. Several shades of gray make a calm winter look.

Navy and camel. Navy jacket, white knit sweater and pants in camel. Add brown shoes so that the colors stay connected.

Matching items in the shop: winter fashion.

Frequently asked questions

Which colors go with winter clothing?

Black, charcoal, navy, burgundy, forest green and brown as deep shades, plus white, cream and camel as light shades. Ice blue and rosé set soft accents.

Which colors go with black in winter?

White, cream, gray, camel, burgundy and forest green. One accent is enough, the rest stays in black.

How many colors can a winter outfit have?

Two to three. A dark base, a light shade and, if needed, an accent such as burgundy or rosé.

Do navy and black go together?

Yes. The look becomes calmer with a light shade such as white or cream in between.

What is the difference between winter colors and the winter color type?

Winter colors are the shades of the season that anyone can wear. The winter color type describes which colors suit skin, hair and eyes.