Most Versatile Jacket Color

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

(See how I styled my favorite olive green jacket outfit, here).

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

BlankNYC Oversize One-Button Faux Leather Blazer

This jacket is available at Nordstrom, BlankNYC and Amazon.

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.

Gallery Women’s Hooded Quilted Jacket

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Quilted Jacket

This jacket is available at Nordstrom and Outdoor Research.

Rains Trekker Waterproof Puffer Jacket

The North Face Metropolis Water Repellent Hooded Parka

Madewell Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Avec Les Filles Water Resistant Hooded Puffer Jacket

Madewell Dispatch Jacket

The Madewell Dispatch Jacket has a more structured military feel to it.

Sizing Tip: True to size.

AG Carell Utility Jacket

This AG Carell Utility Jacket is for the uber casual. This is the one jacket on this list that works with leggings.

Sizing Tip: True to size, but worth getting a size down to compare.

Cole Haan Quilted Down & Feather Fill Jacket with Faux Fur Trim

The Cole Haan Quilted Down & Feather Fill Jacket with Faux Fur Trim is perfect for your everyday winter coat.

AG Mya Denim Jacket

This AG Mya Denim Jacket is great with dresses and tucked in tops.

Sizing Tip: Runs true to size, but you may want to go up a size to compare fits.

Anine Bing Aria Trench Jacket

I can’t get enough of this Anine 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 Tip: True to size, but it’s not for taller folks. I wear a small.

Rails Collins Military Jacket

This lightweight Rails Collins Military Jacket is a gorgeous shade of olive green. You’d think the epaulets and pockets are not flattering, but they are wonderfully flat and don’t add bulk. It’s available at Nordstrom and Rails.

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.

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

This Madewell 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 as chic 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

This Treasure & Bond Linen Blend Field Jacket has 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 this Treasure & Bond Long Knit Blazer for the office or for play. The extra-long look is gorgeous on my taller gals. Pair with skinny jeans or leggings.

Vince Drapey Belted Linen Blend Jacket

This Vince Drapey Belted Linen Blend Jacket is super lightweight, slimming, and sophisticated. I am obsessed with belting jackets right now. You’ll notice the length allows for some untucked tops, but nothing long, so you aren’t going to pair this one with leggings.

Sizing Tip: Runs big, but it depends on the kind of fit you want. I went with the small because I liked the oversized look.

Barbour Coledale Quilted Jacket

Now, this Barbour Coledale Quilted Jacket is 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.

1.State Ruffle Neck Bomber Jacket

This 1.State Ruffle Neck Bomber Jacket is incredibly lightweight, so don’t count on much warmth with this one. My clients who get too warm will love this. It is also really nice because it has the dressiest feel of all the jackets on this list.

Sizing Tip: True to size.

Marrakech Draped Jacket

I adore this Marrakech Draped Jacket. It is so sexy, soft, and lightweight. You are going to love this with jeans, shorts, and slim casual pants.

Sizing Tip: True to size, but order a size down as well to compare fits.

Lily Aldridge for Velvet by Graham & Spencer Army Jacket

The drawstring on the Lily Aldridge for Velvet by Graham & Spencer Army Jacket cinches in to give a nice silhouette to your waist.

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

This Lauren Ralph Lauren Faux Fur Trim Quilted Hooded Down & Feather Jacket reminds 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

The Madewell 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.