WHAT TO WEAR WITH THE COLOUR GREEN

• The Hatista
• Colour Post
• March 21st 2023 / Last Revised: January 7th 2025

So, I have to admit, when I found out that Greenery was Pantones colour of the Year a few years ago, my first thought was “oooohhh”, as all the crushed Avacado on toast pictures from Instagram flashed through my head, followed by my Grandparents bathroom suit in the 70’s.

Greenery was the 2nd Green in 5 years that Pantone named colour of the year, with Emerald named back in 2013. Many will tell your their favourite colour is green, but then find the colour hard to wear if picking the wrong tone, or pairing with the wrong accent. With a huge range of hues from khaki to lime, olive to emerald, down to the pastels of Mint and Pistachio though there’s a tone that makes everyone look fabulous. Working it on only parts of your outfit, or as an accent, paired with complimentary colours, you will find it invigorating, cheery, and positive.

Here are my suggestions on working with the Greens.

This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.

Back to Nature

Green combined with neutrals, including black or gold always looks wonderful. A fresh and zesty Green can be described as nature’s neutral as it evokes the first days of spring. Take notes from nature and pair with other neutral colours such as beige, or other browns.

Different greens work for all seasons. Bright are ideal for Spring / Summer racing or weddings. Darker hues like Olive, Forest and Emerald for Winter weddings and events. Choose a green dress and you can wear any of the nude / brown / gold shoes, handbags, and headpieces widely available in the shops, or your existing wardrobe.

Olive and Burgundy Colour Combo for Autumn Wedding Guests

One of my favourite “un-expected” colour combos. It is a dramatic and intense combination of two pretty autumnal hues. Combined, Olive and Burgundy contrast well so your outfit has depth, but neither are bright colours, which makes it perfect for weddings in months where much of the event could be after dark. The feeling of Autumn is one of richness and coziness - the combination of Olive and Burgundy, emulates both.

For More Ideas on what to wear for an Autumn Wedding you should also read the Autumn Wedding Guest Outfits post.

Deep Green and Gold for Autumn / Winter Wedding Guests

Emerald and Deep Greens combined with gold always looks wonderful, and is perfect for an Autumn, Winter or Christmas Wedding Guests.

Deep Emerald Green is for everyone. It suits everyone regardless of skin tone, hair and eye colour. Deep Emerald green is a luxurious jewel colour, so it’s an ideal choice for wedding guests outfits and never fails for a wedding in any season, hence many will refer to it as their favorite colour.

For More Ideas on what to wear for a Winter Wedding you should also read the Winter Wedding Guest Outfits post.

Fun and Optimistic with Pink

Hear the suggestion of Green and Pink and your first instinct might be - “Really?”. But yes, this combination happens all the time in nature. Nature never gets its colours wrong. Of all the colour pairings for Green, this Pink is the freshest and most joyous.

Colours are often responsible for the way we feel. Choose this combination for your friends wedding, or day at the races, and you’re guaranteed a playful day.

Blue and Green SHOULD be seen - Pair with Pantone Colour Of the Year 2020 - Classic Blue

Many believe Blue and Green should never be seen, but this rule only applies when the tone and hue are similar. You might not want to mix your navy with deepest dark green, or lime with a sky blue, but pair with contrasting tones and the mix can be magic.

Try Green with Deep Navy Blue, Lapis blue, Sapphire, French Navy, or Royal and the combination is definitely one to be seen.

Pantone named the colour of the year for 2020, as CLASSIC BLUE. A reliable colour between Royal and Navy. A colour we all know, wear, understand and trust. A colour that is seasonless. For Spring / Summer it can pair well with Lime or the Avacado hue - Greenery (Pantones colour of the year back in 2017).

Pair with Black and / or White

Not brave enough to wear it as the main colour or solo? Green is a striking and refreshing colour that works well as an accent to a Black and / or White outfit.

Layer elements into your monochrome outfit, in the form of simple, minimalist pieces like the hat, shoes or bag, or combination of a few. Everyone needs statement pieces to elevate black outfits for a wedding or the races, and pairing with Green always looks sophisticated.

The Black and Green Winter wedding guest outfit below picks up accessories inspired by Nature - Peacock Feathers Felt Hat and Green Leaves for the handbag, paired with leaf earrings. This outfit would work great for the races too in the cooler months / jump season, but winter racing can be chilly outdoors, so add a coat if going to races where you could be outside the majority of the day!

Find it in your Florals

Graphic Floral Print dresses are always on trend. Floral dresses are the essence of feminine charm. Green is of course a colour that you will find in 100’s of Floral prints. If you aren’t ready to wear Green on it’s own, then a floral print is perfect. You can then select accessories in the Green colour to wear with the outfit.

Remember: If choosing florals or other highly graphic prints, then select accessories in single colour. Don’t try wearing a busy, multi-coloured statement hat, and a graphic print. Allow just one of them to be the star. If you must wear the biggest, multi-coloured, statement hat for Royal Ascot or Kentucky Derby, then do that with a simple monotone dress, not florals.

Some Other Fabulous Greens I've found for your Outfits:

Below is a Gallery of other Internet Finds for adding this most versatile colour to your wardrobe in various doses.