For clothing design, gray and silver offer a versatile foundation that can be dressed up or down. Combine these shades with vibrant patterns or textures to create stylish and contemporary outfits that appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Silver is awesome with red, gray, shades of pink, purple, teal, forest green. And pretty much any shade of blue. If you have silver hair that's an extra pop of pizazz! As I grew up, my hair went from darkest brown to snowy white, and I love wearing electric blue clothing the best. Plus shiny silver jewelry!
One of the many benefits of decorating with silver and grey is their versatility. From modern metallics to traditional charcoal greys, there is a shade to suit and can help make any house feel like a stylish and cosy home.
“We are not fond of purple with silver or silver with warm autumn colors of rust, red, and dark greens," says Denise Taylor, founder and design director of Aspen Design House.
Silver goes very well with other neutral colors, such as black, gray or white. It also complements jewel tones, such as medium blue, sea green, cherry red, emerald green, purple and turquoise.
Also look at the colors in your closet. Warm colors: Think rust brown, ochre yellow and olive green. These pair nicely with gold jewelry. Cool colors: Like blue, purple and gray, go perfectly with silver jewelry.
Keep Harsh Chemicals at Bay
Sulfates are abundant in hairsprays, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes. Whether it's through airborne particles or residue on your hands, when these sulfates come into contact with silver, they form silver sulfide compounds and tarnish the jewelry.
Gold looks great on people with warm undertones, while silver complements those with cool undertones. To determine your undertone, look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear greenish, you have warm undertones; if they appear bluish, you have cool undertones.
Typically, you should use warm metals (like brass, nickel and copper) with warm hues (like whites, beiges, browns and taupes) and cool metals (such as chrome and silver) with cool hues (such as blues, greens and grays).
Gray suits nearly every design style, from farmhouse to traditional and even cottagecore. So, naturally, the colors that go with gray are nearly endless.
Warm neutrals like Almost Oyster and Cream Tea will complement a warm grey sofa, while Cliff Walk and Ashen White are best for a cool grey sofa. Cool grey sofas also work well with green, from Putting Green to Fresh Sage, or any blues – try a mid-blue like Stonewashed Blue or a deep navy like Breton Blue.
Gray and silver color palettes can transform home decor by creating a serene and sophisticated atmosphere. Use these neutral tones as a base and add pops of color through accessories like cushions, rugs, or artwork to create a balanced and inviting space.
What color jewelry should I wear with gray? Silver jewelry pairs well with gray, while yellow gold creates contrast. If you have any vintage red or pink coral, don't save it for summer—nothing looks prettier with a gray cashmere sweater.
The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair
Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.
Gray prevailed in home design for years, offering a neutral backdrop for any decor style. However, experts agree this trend is finally losing its appeal as 2025 approaches. “While gray had a long reign as a neutral, it's time to step aside," Will Brown, principal designer of Will Brown Interiors, says.
Avoid wearing silver jewelry in hot tubs and spas, as the combination of heat and chemicals can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage the jewelry.
Genuine sterling silver is a fabulous metal to wear every day as it has many benefits. Sterling silver is gorgeous, versatile, affordable and extremely durable. If you look after your jewellery and make sure that you avoid contact with certain chemicals, your jewellery can be worn all day, every day with no issues!
They are prone to tarnishing, which requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Their softness compared to other metals means they can scratch and dent more easily. Furthermore, the presence of nickel in some silver alloys can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.
Cooler grays pair well with blues, purples, and teals, while warmer grays (think mushroom and putty) pair better with reds, oranges, and other warm shades.
Wondering about a good contrast for silver? Most jewel tones will work perfectly to complement silver, including sea green, medium blue, emerald green and turquoise – as seen in traditional Native American jewelry.
Because grey comes in all different shades and often has hints of different colors, it can truly go with almost any color. The main thing to be wary of is wearing multiple shades of grey at once. If you're going to combine greys, keep them the same shade.