What color matches with gray: the definitive guide

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Knowing what color matches with gray allows you to add life to a neutral color. Doubts in the use of gray are easy to deal with if you know the following rules.

Knowing what color matches with gray will always allow you to be at ease, because gray can be used both in elegant settings and in informal situations, in summer and in winter. It’s a winning weapon that can give you a really sophisticated look.

Read also: How to dress well man: What are the determining factors?

This article focuses on how to match the colors of your clothes when putting together an outfit. From light gray to dark gray, knowing which colors to combine gray with will allow you to have a versatile wardrobe and always wear the right colors. This article will provide some suggestions for choosing the correct color scheme to combine with gray, since it cannot be found within the color circle.

Here are some style tips to keep in mind for matching gray with other shades.

What color matches with gray?

Let’s keep it simple. The color gray is the result of the blending of black and white. White shirts and black pants are powerful because they share properties with the color gray. Matching black and white colors will never be a mistake.

Gray shades are also perfect for easing the attention that other colors draw.

Let’s examine two different types of gray: lead gray (i.e. light gray) and anthracite gray (dark gray).

General rule of the color to match with gray

Although gray is a neutral color in its original form, sometimes a fabric might also include yellow, blue or orange tones.

When you’re trying to match a color with gray, look closely at the fabric, perhaps next to a white background. Try to examine it in natural light (sunlight) to see which shades are present in your gray.

This will give you a good starting point to work from when you try to match your gray. If the gray fabric contains yellow tones, avoid combining blue–rather go for green or red.

Similarly, if it contains more of a blue undertone, you’re safe to use the colors of the blue spectrum: navy blue, royal, turquoise, purple, etc.

If it is truly a neutral gray, you can match almost any color with it, but you can produce a better color impact by combining light gray with darker colors and dark gray with lighter colors; the contrast attracts attention.

Let us analyze what could be combined with light gray and what could be combined with dark gray separately.

Colors to match with light gray (lead)

Light gray is better suited to day-time situations, and is perfect for working environments. Pastel colors will blend very well with light gray shades.

Light gray and blue: Match light gray with light blue or navy blue. The effect is beautiful. To create contrast, you could bring in some elements of brown.

Light gray with white / black: Try to match a light gray suit with a white or black shirt, the two colors that create gray. The combination will be superior, especially when finishing the outfit off with black shoes.

Light gray and brown: With a light gray suit, you can also wear a brown shoe, belt and tie. The smooth contrasts created with this combination will also be captivating.

These can be paired with accent colors (for example, in a tie) such as green, pink and burgundy red.

Here is a collection of combinations taken from my Pinterest profile:

Colors to match with dark gray (anthracite)

Dark gray is among the most versatile colors, suitable for all seasons, even if primarily cut out for winter. It is appropriate for day- and night-time occasions.

Dark gray and brown. Even dark grays will blend well with Sienna.

Dark gray lends itself to combinations with burgundy red.

Dark gray and blue. Even with light gray, the combination with blue creates a beautiful blend.

Here is a collection of combinations taken from my Pinterest profile:

Fancy colors

Try to combine gray with light green, olive green, pink Crimson or electric blue.

Colors to match with gray pants

Gray pants follow the same combinations we talked about previously.

Colors to match with a gray coat

Gray coats are very common. Consider the coat in relation to pants and shoes. You can wear a dark gray coat with black pants, light pants and jeans.

History and definition of gray

The color gray is one that communicates intermediate sensations between black and white, more or less accentuated. It is a low-contrast color and will, therefore, allow you to blend in with it. As it is the intermediate color of excellence, it is, thus, perfectly apt for many occasions. If you are set to buy your first suit, you cannot go wrong by choosing a gray one. In the Middle Ages, gray was the color of servants and workers. Clothes containing color were more expensive, because they were more difficult to produce; they were, therefore, reserved for higher-ranking people.

Today, gray is a sophisticated, beautiful and simple color. That’s why 007 dresses in gray.

Fifty Shades of Gray

A few years ago, the film Fifty Shades of Grey was released. In my opinion, gray was chosen for some interesting reasons: it is the color of the eyes of ice (without feelings) of the protagonist, is the intermediate between white and black (between good and evil?), is the surname of the protagonist, and is the color of the business.

Not bad, huh?

Summary

I would like to help you with your style. Gray is really easy to match. Let me know in a comment how you use gray.