12 Colors That Go With Tan, According to Experts

For a neutral, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a good match,

Showing what colors go with tan, three women wear tan, brown, and beige outfits at Fall 2023 fashion week.
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You don't have to have an advanced degree in color theory to wear colors that complement tan like a pro. In fact, according to the fashion experts InStyle tapped for this article, there are so many colors that go with tan that, there's a high chance you've thrown together an elegant tan outfit entirely by accident.

Still, there are a few things to consider when putting together an outfit that focuses on or incorporates tan clothing. You can opt for vibrant opposing shades, creating contrast to make your tan pieces stand out. You can also aim for smooth-as-silk cohesion with similarly toned shades for a look that's all quietly luxurious neutrals.

Regardless of whether you crave color clashing or total sartorial harmony, making a tan outfit work is all about the undertones. Depending on its specific shade, tan can have cool or warm undertones. Cooler shades of tan might read as khaki or beige while warm-toned tan might look closer to camel or light brown. From fall 2023’s trending colors to bold brights and classic shades, these are the 13 best colors to wear with tan. 

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Pistacho

Alice Barbier wears a tan jacket and pistachio joggers as part of an outfit showing what colors go with tan.

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Looking for the transportive quality of a tomato girl summer outfit in cooler temps? Try a 'fit that pairs tan with creamy pistachio. "There is something about pistachio green combined with cream and tan tones that makes my mouth water," says Patricia Pietri, founder of Costaiia.

Showing what colors go with tan, Gabriella Berdugo wears pistachio pants, a pistachio checked jacket and a tan hooded shirt.

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"These colors transport me to a summer in Italy," she adds. In terms of how she would style this shade, Pietri recommends pairing "pistachio pants with a tan top or a tan dress with a pistachio purse or mules."

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Bone

Showing what colors go with tan, Emy Venturini wears bone and gray separates and a tan trench coat.

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Daryl Ann Denner, founder of Nuuds, loves the neutral look of bone when worn with tan. “Bone has a more cool undertone,” she says. “This color pairs well with tan because it’s simply a few shades off from tan. Not too subtle, but not too overpowering.” 

Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya wears a bone dress and tan coat.

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Gachot and Rodriguez concur, adding that they consider bone to be a foolproof selection for all shades of tan. "We suggest a column of bone with a tan layering element, perhaps a camel cashmere coat or chunky knit cardigan."

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Orange

Tamu McPherson wears a fuzzy orange bomber jacket and tan pants as part of an outfit showing what colors go with tan.

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When pairing tan and orange, Alcalay suggests opting for a "go big or go home" mentality. In other words, reach for a statement piece. "The orange should be bright and rich," she says, explaining that, when worn with this vibrant hue, "tan acts like a catalyst to show off that fabulous orange item."

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Olive Green

Eva Chen wears a tan jacket and olive green pants as part of an outfit showing what colors go with tan.

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Not to be confused with olive oil green, olive green is deeper, richer shade that pairs well with tan, according to Alcalay. "It's a more vintage color pairing," she explains, adding that tan and olive green are "two neutral tones that play well with each other, especially when paired with brown accessories," adding that the combo is "rich and sophisticated but can also be really playful."

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Sky Blue

A woman wears a blue button down and tan pants as part of an outfit showing what colors go with tan.

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"While blue and brown may be an unexpected pairing, the two create a well-balanced and harmonious match," share Laura Gachot and Ryan Rodriguez, the design duo behind RŌARI. "The contrast of hues creates an earthy feel of sky and land," they add of this rich yet subtle color combination.

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Red

Leonie Hanne wears a tan trench coat and a red shirt dress as part of an outfit showing what colors go with tan.

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"I’m a bit biased because it is my favorite color, but the combination of tan and red is very visually appealing," says Samuel Boakye, the mind behind unisex fashion brand Kwasi Paul. "When paired, tan can serve as a backdrop that enhances the intensity of red, while the contrast makes it balanced."

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Eggshell

Molly Chiang wears a cream button down shirt and tan skirt as part of an outfit that shows what colors go with tan.

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Opting for eggshell or a similarly off-white shade is another great choice when selecting a color to wear with tan. "It’s a simple and classic color combination," says Alcalay, "but so fresh and clean."

When styling off-white and tan, Alcalay sees tan as a base color and off-white as the star. "The white should have texture or volume," she advises. Her personal faves? "A big sweater or a cotton shirt with contrasting texture."

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Chocolate

Showing what colors go with brown Olivia Palermo wears a chocolate brown dress and a tan jacket.

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For a warm-toned but dynamic fall vibe, Denner recommends reaching for a rich chocolate top or bottom. “Since chocolate is a notch up from tan, this shade makes for an easily elevated or casual pairing,” she shares. 

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Cream

Florrie Thomas wears an eggshell shirt and tan pants as part of an outfit that shows what colors go with tan.

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"Cream and tan paired together are harmonious," says Boakye, adding that this quietly luxurious combination "speaks volumes. It's not loud, but still demands attention in any room."

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Lavender

Showing what colors go with tan, Justyna Czerniak wears a tan jacket and a lavender suit set.

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For a look that exudes femininity, Pietri recommends pairing cool-toned lavender with a shade of tan that also features chillier undertones. "Lavender and tan together give an effortlessly chic look," she says.

According to Pietri, one of the best things about this color combination is that these hues deliver the same vibes regardless of the specific clothes in question. "I could be wearing a baggy lavender T-shirt with tan boyfriend pants and feel incredibly feminine," she shares.

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Cinnamon

Showing what colors go with tan, Nazan Eckes wears a cinnamon top and tan trousers.

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For a monochromatic-leaning look that isn't too matchy-matchy, Denner suggests pairing a cinnamon top with a pair of tan trousers. “Tan slacks with one of our cinnamon tank bodysuits is timeless and chic. Dress up with a kitten heel or down with a sandal,” she advises. 

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Deep Amber

Showing what colors go with tan, Esther Quek carries a deep amber bag and a tan jacket.

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"Playing with shades of the same family can create a monochromatic look where amber can shine," says Christine Alcalay, founder of namesake luxury brand Christine Alcalay. "I love how yellow and brown tones bring out the best of both the tan and the deep amber."

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