What to wear with an orange skirt to look effortlessly stylish is a big question for many women. This post illustrates that such a piece can be more versatile than you think and is as easy to style as other skirts in a fashion color. It also covers why the outfit inspirations work so you can apply the concept yourself. Using the example of my own experience you are encouraged to trust your color guts and recognize the indicators what works for you.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.
Why a Cinnamon Skirt?
Remember the Orange is the new black trend from a couple of years ago? What is it with black? O.K., I have to admit I would wear another color more often when it would be darker than black.
Why? I look best in deep dark colors.
In the 1970s, orange had a moment. My sister had an orange blouse that she once in a while let me wear. I loved that blouse, but had no idea why. I hadn’t bought anything orange ever since I had my colors determined in the 1980s. I was classified as a Winter. Therefore, I avoided yellow, orange, eggplant and bottle green. These colors were the ones, I used to love as a kid.
In the 1980s, color analysis distinguished four types: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. However, the icy pastels of Winter always washed me out. Consequently, I avoided them as well. In the 1990s, black was my Go-to neutral. Icy pink, light blue, mint, and other pastel colors look stunning on light blonde women.
Tip: Trust your gust color-wise.
Who Can Wear Orange as a Statement Color?
All types of Autumn and Deep Winter. Everyone can don the shade as a pop of color away from their face with their personal color season.
According to the modern 12 color season quiz, as a deep autumn winter orange is in my palette!
I realized how many accessories I had in this color as long as I can remember. My bottle-green knit dress with white neck area decorated with orange pom-poms popped up in my head. My mom had knitted it for me when I was a toddler. And yes, I also had some wild print clothes with orange accents or even a sort of color blocking stripe in this strong, bold hue. However, I never had bought a full on solid orange piece.
And then I saw this orange skirt. Guess what? My “buy now finger” hit the electronic button immediately after I had thought about three looks to go with it.
What Colors Work with Carrot?
Many women avoid wearing tangerine because they think it is hard to style. Yes, pairing it with green or black or even both easily gets you into Halloween closet shopping. Not a promotional bell ringer, not even as a office appropriate Halloween look.
Well, brown-orange-leopard is a great combo to try (see inspiration photos). What about pairing it with navy, a bright blue, khaki, burgundy or olive as the new black.
Speaking of blue – a real classic neutral – denim is a great option. Blue is its complimentary color. Furthermore, analogous its colors – red and yellow -, its muted color brown, or its tinted color salmon are foolproof to add. Gray is a great matching neutral.
When you want to go for edgy, go for color clash with purple or green in a color block look. Of course, doing so takes nerves. But life is too short to not have fun with dressing.
As a kid, my favorite play was dressing up my Barbie doll and make new clothes for her. Maybe I never grew up and still play dressing up? Or as Iris Apple said
Playing dress-up starts at age 5 and never ends. – Iris Apple
Do you like Iris Apfel’s style?
Can You Wear Orange with Pink?
Sure, you can. The outfit below shows pink and gray as an example what to wear with an orange skirt.
The look works because the citrine and moonstone gemstones of the necklace tie the skirt and boots together. The tights repeat the sweater color.
Complimentary Blue for a Bold, but Safe Look
Using a complimentary color is the easiest way to create a great look. It’s bold look, because both colors are deep. The look makes a statement, but is still office appropriate.
Analogous Colors as Top
Going with one of the analogous colors on the color wheel is another great option. It’s a visible look. But, you are reading this post because you don’t want to look invisible, right?
The secret to an easy look in analogous colors is tying the look together. In the inspiration, the bangles do the trick because they have all the colors of the outfit. The shoes match with the top, neckerchief, watch and bangles, the bottom with the bangles and belt.
How to Style an Orange Skirt with a Print
The next look was inspired by the print of my floral cardigan. I wore it as a top with the skirt as the color ties the two together.
Tip: Let a print inspire your outfit color combination.
Another color of the top gave the idea for which bag, shoes and cover-up to pair with the look.
The top also inspired the outfit with pink biker jacket.
Try an Animal Print
Pairing orange with black is risky because they are the two traditional “Halloween” colors. However, the combination makes totally sense and is even office-appropriate when leopard print in its natural colors is involved. However, the cuts of all pieces should be classic. In other words, you create a classics with a twist look.
Tip: Combine leopard with orange instead of red for an edgy classics with a twist look.
Create a Fake Suit with a Matching Blazer
You know I’m a big fan of fake suits looks. They instantly make a Business Casual Style look. In the case of this suit outfit, both the skirt and jacket have the same hue. However, a distinctly different shade would work too. See this comprehensive guide on how to wear a suit.
Wrapping Up What to Wear with an Orange Skirt
A skirt in a statement color can be more versatile that you think. Of course, it goes with all the usual pieces you typically style a skirt with. Colors to pair with orange are:
- Burgundy
- Purple
- Pink (wildcard)
- Blue (complimentary color)
- Speaking of blue – a real classic neutral – denim is also great to try.
- Analogous colors (yellow and/or red)
- Gray tweed
- Brown or other Earth colors
Photos of me: G. Kramm
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