Cardero Journal

Color Matching Your Wardrobe

Color Matching Your Wardrobe
The short version

​You have your navy suit, your charcoal, your light gray…now is the perfect time to add a stylish blazer or suit. A lot of men don’t like adding new clothing, especially those with patterns or bolder colors because they don’t know what to wear with it. Here is how you can bring in a stylish new color or pattern.


You have your navy suit, your charcoal, your light grey…now is the perfect time to add a stylish blazer or suit. A lot of men don’t like adding new clothing, especially those with patterns or bolder colours because they don’t know what to wear with it. Here is how you can bring in a stylish new colour or pattern into your wardrobe.

A man in a bold purple suit

Pull the Colours Out

Whether it is blue, red, green or peach, draw that colour out in the accessories or shirt.

Wear the Same Colours

Not always the exact same colour, pair darks with lights. Dark red with light red, but try not to have them close like a light red with a light/mid red.

A man in a pink tailored jacket

Wear the Neutrals

White is the obvious go to but grey in all ranges or even black can go great with any colour no matter how bold. I will even venture to say that light blue is a neutral as well, it goes with pretty much every look which is why it is a staple in your wardrobe. Once you have the neutrals down, you can branch out into bolder and wilder colours and patterns.

The above photo is a perfect example. The bold colour is the pink sport coat. The bottom half is neutral in the pants and shoes, the shirt and pocket square are neutral, allowing for the jacket to pop.

The Rundown

I have left this post short for a reason. Buying a new pattern or colour isn’t as scary as it seems. Stick with the basics and don’t try to overdo it, if anything, tone it down with neutrals to start until you are comfortable trying something else.


If there is any advice I can give you, feel free to reach out at any time.


- Derek Burbidge
Owner of Cardero Clothing

Not sure what to buy next? A Wardrobe Plan is forty-five minutes one to one with Derek Burbidge, our founder, working through what you already own, what suits your colouring and your work, and exactly what to add next. You leave with a written plan, and it works wherever you live.

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