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Comprising pink hues, red shades and orange tones, coral is one of the warmest and most elegant colors. It’s easier on the eyes than other fiery colors like solid red or orange, and it also a certain charm of its own and a unique look. Coral is a very friendly yet eye-catching color, making it a perfect motif for special gatherings.
Nowadays, coral is a popular color in jewelry and fashion, worn at all kinds of events. If you’re thinking of having coral as part of the color scheme for a special occasion, like your wedding day or even something simple like a party, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll teach you some of the basics of wearing coral, including a list of other colors that look well with it.
What Does Coral Color Mean?

First, let’s take a look at the meaning behind the color coral.
Coral became a rather popular color back in 2019 when it was hailed as the Pantone Color Institute’s Color of the Year. It was associated with perceptions of hope and vibrancy, but since then, the color has taken on many different meanings across the years:
- Warm Acceptance – While most other warm colors have triggering auras, coral is a refreshing color that brings comfort and peace of mind. In fact, coral amulets were popularly worn during the Renaissance era to channel peace and protection against harm.
- Optimism and Happiness – Reminiscent of the colors of breaking dawn, coral inspires feelings of optimism and happiness. It has deep associations with approachability, confidence and being outgoing.
- Individuality – Coral is one of the most unique colors, which is why it’s associated with individuality and the desire to be different.
Best Skin Tone for Wearing Coral

Since coral is practically a combination of three different colors, it can be adjusted and modified to perfectly fit all kinds of skin tones.
A great tip for finding the best coral shades for you is to know whether your skin has warm or cool undertones. To check, carefully observe the veins visible around your face, neck, or wrists. If the veins appear to be blue, it means you have cool undertones. If the veins appear green on the skin, then you know you have warm undertones.
If you’re looking for the perfect coral dress or tux that best matches your skin tone, here are some general rules to keep in mind:
For Light Skin Tones
If you have a light skin tone, go for a soft coral shade which emphasizes the pink and orange tones rather than the red hues. Remember that you want to avoid harsh contrasts between your outfit and your light-colored skin. If you have cool undertones, choose a soft coral shade with more orange in it or with more pink hues.
For Medium Skin Tones
If you’ve got medium skin tones, you can go for bolder shades of coral without having to worry too much about creating a harsh clash between your complexion and the coral clothes you want to sport.
If you have warmer undertones, an orange-based coral would still be your best choice. However, if you have cooler undertones, you may try a peachier, more vibrant coral.
For Dark Skin Tones
Go for the brightest, most vibrant shade of coral you can find. Your deep skin will provide a striking, gorgeous contrast with coral shades that contain more red hues.
Colors That Go Well With Coral
Coral is a very versatile color and it beautifully matches with a lot of other colors on the color wheel. Here are some of our favorite matchups:
Neutral Colors

Black and coral dress by Olesyamasiytina.
Coral looks good with neutral colors like muted gray, white, cream, and even black. The darker hues allow coral to stand out, while pairing with lighter colors makes the outfit look a lot more refreshing, clean and formal.
Gold

14K gold coral earrings by The Teardrop Shop.
For a more regal and extravagant look, you can match coral with different shades of gold. When glittery gold shades are matched with coral, the result can be very pleasing to the eyes, which is why this look is quite popular for autumn or summer wedding attire.
Pink

Pink and coral scarf by Nicola Davis Crafts.
Surprisingly, coral also works brilliantly with the color pink. Despite their similarities, pairing coral with pink is a great idea during warmer seasons. However, keep it simple since overdoing it could result in a shocking flash of color. If you’re pairing coral with pink, go for a muter shade of pink to balance things out.
Aqua colors: Green, Teal, and Blue

Coral navy blue bouquet by Angel Isabella.
The color coral is perfect with aqua colors or different shades of green and blue. Just like with the gold pairing, blue gives off a regal look when matched with coral. Meanwhile, using green and coral would definitely work together, since these colors exist in nature (for example: coral-colored flowers).
You can also pair coral with vibrant teal accents to give any occasion a cool touch. It’s also an interesting change from the classic blue and pink-themed birthday parties or gender-reveal events.
Other Styling Tips for Wearing Coral
Now that you know what colors to wear with coral, here are a few styling tips to keep in mind:
Coral Dresses

Coral muslin dress by Giraffe Clothing.
Wearing coral dresses is a good choice during the summer when you’re on a vacation in the tropics, or during a special occasion like a wedding. However, it’s important to tone down the rest of your outfit when choosing a vibrant color like coral.
Don’t go overboard by pairing up your coral dress with coral accessories to match, since you would then be all coral. Instead, choose differently colored accessories that match your coral outfit to complete your look.
Coral Jewelry

Yellow gold coral ring by Galanta Jewels.
Coral jewelry makes perfect accent pieces that highlight your best asset. Using coral jewelry is perfect with white or black clothes since it makes you standout even more unlike when using traditional gold or silver jewelry.
Coral Makeup

Coral lipstick by Hue Phoria Cosmetics.
Coral is a great color to add to your existing makeup palette, especially when it comes to lipstick and blush. Coral blushes are great for those with lighter skin tone. But coral lipstick works well with anyone. So if you want to add something coral to your look without going for an obvious coral dress, then this might suit your taste better.
Wrapping Up
Coral is one of the most versatile colors you can use for any occasion. It makes a great addition to your wardrobe, but it’s always important to remember not to go overboard with it. Take your time to mix and match with different clothes and accessories to find what matches you best and what you feel comfortable in.