My clients often ask me, “What color jacket goes with everything?” The answer to this question depends entirely on the color theme of one’s wardrobe, but generally, the most versatile color jacket is green. The shade of green that works best for you depends on your skin tone and the main tones of your wardrobe.
What Color Jacket Goes With Everything?
If you wear a lot of lighter colors like light wash jeans, off-white tees, and light grey, sage green is the best color jacket for you. If you wear a lot of black, a darker green is the most versatile color jacket for you. The richer the colors in your wardrobe, the richer green you need for your jacket. The more earthy and muted your wardrobe is, the more muted and earthy your green jacket needs to be in order for it to be versatile and complementary to the majority of your outfits. The jacket color I put on my clients most often is olive green. You can see how I styled one of my favorite olive green jackets, here, and you can see all my favorite green jackets right now listed below.
Why Is Olive Green The Most Versatile Jacket Color?
The number one reason olive green is the most versatile jacket color is because it pairs beautifully with all shades of blue jeans, and most people live in denim. The second reason olive green is the most versatile jacket color is because it can pair with muted blacks as well as earth tones. Here is a list of colors that olive green pairs well with…
- Grey
- Muted Black
- Yellow
- Off-White/Cream
- Medium Pink
- Earth Tones: All browns, cream, and other non-bright greens
- Muted Navy
- Muted Purples
- Slate
- Brick red
- Mauve
What Does An Olive Green Jacket NOT Go With?
If you have a capsule collection made up entirely of earth tones, denim, and muted black, then you can never go wrong with an olive green jacket, but most people have a diverse wardrobe that doesn’t always work with a green jacket. Here are the handful of colors that do not pair with an olive green jacket…
- Bright/Optic White
- Bright Baby Blue
- Indigo
- Royal Blue
- Emerald Green
- St Patrick’s Green
- Magenta
- Saturated Lavender
BP. Hooded Longline Puffer Jacket
Sizing: XXS-XL
Material: Lined, with 100% polyester fill, 100% nylon
Eileen Fisher Longline Blazer
This blazer is available at Nordstrom and Eileen Fisher.
Sizing: Oversized by design, order one size down, XXS-XL
Material: 66% Tencel lyocell, 31% polyamide, 3% elastane
Herno Amelia Stand Collar Down Coat
Sizing: True to size, 0-16US
Material: Main & Lining: Polyamide; Trim: cotton/polyester; Fill: goose down
Cole Haan Quilted Down & Feather Fill Jacket with Faux Fur Trim
TheCole Haan Quilted Down & Feather Fill Jacket with Faux Fur Trim is perfect for your everyday winter coat. It’s available at Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, and Amazon.
Sizing: True to size, XS-XL
Material: 100% polyester, Lined, 50% down, 50% feather fill; 75% acrylic, 25% polyester faux fur; 100% polyurethane trim
Athleta Downtown Puffer Parka
Sizing: XXS-3X
Material: 100% Recycled Polyester, 100% Responsible Down Standard (RDS) downfill
BlankNYC Oversize One-Button Faux Leather Blazer
Sizing: XS-L
Material: 60% Polyurethane 40% Polyester, Lining: 97% Polyester 3% Spandex
Moncler Fourmine Hooded Down Puffer Jacket
As you may know from my post on splurge-worthy winter coats, a versatile jacket that you’ll wear all the time is worth the investment. This Moncler jacket is available at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Sizing: True to size, XXS-XL
Material: Lined, with down fill, 100% nylon
Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Quilted Jacket
This versatile jacket is available at Outdoor Research and REI.
Sizing: XS-4X
Material: 100% Nylon Shell and Lining, Insulation 100% Polyester
Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket
This versatile leather jacket from Madewell comes in two shades of green, the darker green featured above, and a lighter sage green, here.
Sizing: XXS-XXL
Material: Leather
AG Carell Utility Jacket
ThisAG Carell Utility Jacket is for the uber-casual and can be worn with leggings.
Sizing: True to size, but worth getting a size down to compare, XS-L
Material: 60% Lyocell, 40% Linen
AG Mya Denim Jacket
ThisAG Mya Denim Jacketis great with dresses and tucked in tops.
Sizing: Runs true to size, but you may want to go up a size to compare fits, XS-XL
Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Polyurethane
Rails Collins Military Jacket
This lightweightRails Collins Military Jacket is a gorgeous shade of green. You’d think the epaulets and pockets wouldn’t be flattering, but they are wonderfully flat and don’t add bulk. This jacket is available at Rails and Nordstrom.
Sizing Tip: Runs big, order a size down. A size 6 can wear the XS in this jacket. A size 14 looks best in a medium. It looks more oversized and wide, aka unflattering, the more you go up in size.
Most Versatile Jacket Colors From Years Past
I originally wrote this post years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
Anine BingAria Trench Jacket
I can’t get enough of thisAnine Bing Aria Trench Jacket. It is warm, comfortable, and edgy. (You can see how I wore it in my post on my favorite olive green jacket outfit.) I am debating whether to take this one to Europe with me this spring. Because of its length, you are going to pair it with short tops, tucked in tops, any pant, and rugged skirts. Technically, this length is great with a dress, but it looks bulky when it is closed. You just have to wear it open with dresses. Note: You won’t be pairing this with long tops or leggings. It is available at eBay and Poshmark.
Sizing: True to size, but it’s not for taller folks. I wear a small.
Madewell Dispatch Jacket
The Madewell Dispatch Jacket has a more structured military feel to it.
Sizing Tip: True to size.
The North Face Metropolis Water Repellent Hooded Parka
Sizing: XS-XXL
Material: 100% polyester
Avec Les Filles Water Resistant Hooded Puffer Jacket
Gallery Women’s Hooded Quilted Jacket
Caslon Lightweight Jacket
The Caslon Lightweight Jacket is a perfect lightweight jacket in a versatile light olive color. Pair it with shorts in the summer or jeans in the fall.
Caslon Cinch Waist Linen Blend Utility Jacket
The Caslon Cinch Waist Linen Blend Utility Jacket is lightweight, making it perfect for layering. Plus, it cinches in at the waist for a slimming cut.
Sizing Tip: It runs big.
PJ Salvage Weekend Warrior Star Print Jacket
The PJ Salvage Weekend Warrior Star Print Jacket is lightweight with a drapey fit. The stars add a unique detail that you won’t find on other jackets.
Sizing Tip: Runs large.
Madewell Fleet Jacket
ThisMadewell Fleet Jacket is a little too stiff for my taste, but many clients are loving it. It is warm, but not overly heavy.
Sizing Tip: True to size.
Sanctuary Liberty Military Jacket
The structured Sanctuary Liberty Military Jacket provides a leaner look for the utility jacket.
The North Face Zoomie Zoomie Hooded Waterproof Raincoat
The North Face Zoomie Zoomie Hooded Waterproof Raincoat is aschic as a utility jacket can get — and will actually keep you dry from the rain, unlike most of the other jackets on this gorgeous list.
Treasure & Bond Linen Blend Field Jacket
ThisTreasure & Bond Linen Blend Field Jackethas a longer, more casual silhouette that can work with leggings. And you will love its lightweight and softness.It just won’t keep you super warm if that is what you are seeking.
Treasure & Bond Long Knit Blazer
I am in love with thisTreasure & Bond Long Knit Blazerfor the office or for play. The extra-long look is gorgeous on my taller gals. Pair with skinny jeans or leggings.
Barbour Coledale Quilted Jacket
Now, thisBarbour Coledale Quilted Jacketis one of the most sophisticated puffer jackets I have ever seen. I love the way it shapes the body and keeps you warm.
Sizing Tip: True to size.
Thread & Supply Utility Jacket
The Thread & Supply Utility Jacket is a longer and more casual option that can be worn with leggings.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Faux Fur Trim Quilted Hooded Down & Feather Jacket
ThisLauren Ralph Lauren Faux Fur Trim Quilted Hooded Down & Feather Jacketreminds me of the Vail snow bunnies from the 90s — in a good way of course.You will love the freakin’ soft collar and flattering silhouette.
Madewell Travel Buddy Packable Puffer Jacket
TheMadewell Travel Buddy Packable Puffer Jacket is perfect for travel and is unexpectedly flattering. I just put this on a client yesterday and even I was surprised by its glory. Plus it’s compact. Try folding it up into a neck pillow for the plane. I do believe this is my favorite puffer jacket on the most versatile jacket color list.
