I like Angie's advice. I used to only wear gold. But now I'm on a whole silver thing. I feel matching metals is more polished and mixing more casual and artistic, generally speaking. But now that you mention this, I'm considering mixing something like a wood bangle with either silver or gold... I also secretly think gold can get more formal...

What a great question you raise!

Like Angie, I find I have more concerns matching the metals in my outfit rather than matching a certain metal with a certain color. For example, I have a Marciano leather jacket I adore, but all the buttons and zippers are yellow gold; So I won't pair it with certain purses adorned with silvery metals, nor with belts with silver buckles. I am all for mixing metals in my jewelry, but from an accessory to another, it just looks like I didn't pay attention.

About the cognac shoes: they are wonderfully chic. What a great pair of footwear you got there! I bet they will be most useful. I have found this particular shade of brown a bit trickier to pair with any color, and am still learning. Contrary to others, I do not find it to be as neutral as black or navy. Despite this, I adore its rich tone, its authentic feel. Here is the fruit of my trials:

1) I have found cognac looks stunning with navy and cream and gold, as inspired by the Hermes scarf below (think English Old money horse riding preppy);

2) It gives surprising depth to black, creating an interest. I would certainly try your new shoes with an all black outfit and a couple of other wooden or cognac or brown accessories. I would even go as far as trying them with black tights, (even if they are peep toed, so the tight must be seamless) for a very avant-garde effect.

3) It looks very fresh and young, in a vague "Laura Ashley" way, with blush. Maybe it is because the combination is reminiscent of certain small flower prints. Salmon pinks works well too.

4) It looks good with grey too.

5) Oh, and of course, any denim.

6) Oh, and white too! Even better: with white denim!

There you are, Robin, you can take your pick!

Personally, I like to stick to silver jewellery and hardware, which tones best (to my mind) with my cool colour palette. I do have a few gold pieces - mostly sentimental items - which I wear occasionally, usually with a neutral outfit, but I prefer not to mix the two. It's good to have the choice, though.

Wow! You guys are amazing! I appreciate so much all the input!

Tex - I love this mix you posted, I could definitely do something like that without it looking strange to my eye.

Rachy - I agree, gold feels formal to me, just a little bit. I'm not sure why.

Krish - those are some great ideas. I love the all black, I will try that one right away!

Fashion has no rules. I actually like mixing cool and warm colors. contrast can spice it up

I wear a watch that has gold and silver color metals. I think it gives me permission to wear both gold and silver with it because I like both.

If gold feels too dressy, you might try brass. I love my brass jewelry--it's warm looking yet casual. I find it at Lucky (the jeans store) and Marjorie Baer.

This is a great post. I only wear cool colors - I don't look so great in the warmer tones - but I prefer gold in my accessories. I have had some strong silver phases in my life, but I tend to always go back to gold. And I love beige and cogniac shoes and handbags. I love the contrast and interest that the warmer supporting acts provide to the rest of the cool colors. I think that it is a wonderful thing to shake it up and try things that are outside of the box, but you may find that your gut tells you that you prefer the look of cool accessories with cool color schemes and that's okay too. My way is purely based on a gut feeling/preference that I have trouble explaining, but simply know that it works for me. The fun of experimenting is figuring out if they are rules you think you *should* follow or things that you just really prefer. I hope you have a lot of fun figuring it out!

Bonnie - I like the idea of a watch with multiple metals, I'm going to keep my eye open for one. I do wear a ring that was my sister's that is silver and gold but it's pretty small so doesn't help much except that I feel like I can wear it with everything.

Firecracker - I do like brass and tend to wear it with my warmer options, I agree it seems more casual.

Sarah - I think I have these internal "rules" because it was easier for me and now because of YLF I want to challenge those. Thanks for the input!

I LOVE those wedges on you, Robin.

Hi Robin --

Great shoes; I think you'll find they're super-versatile for you.

I'm with SarahtheWhite in that while I think there are no rules, many have strong preferences or reactions to various color combos. I love the energy a mix of cool and warm tones bring but am apparently very picky about what that means in terms of clothing vs interiors.

So experimentation is key!

I wear cool-toned clothes and silver metals with a little patina'd bronze or pewter thrown in occasionally. I've had cognac belts/shoes and it theory loved the colors with my closet but in reality didn't reach for them much. I eventually used leather shoe dye cream to turn them more of a cordovan (purple brown).

However, I have an ~ 8 y.o. orange patent purse (photos 1-3) I carry all the time in summer and a leaf green clutch that gets out a fair bit. So when I deviate, I now deviate with brighter warms vs deeper and/or muted ones like cognac.

OTOH, deep "neutral" [in terms of warm/cool] neutrals work well for me -- see moss (brownish green) bag in photo 4.

Have fun mixing things up to see what you like!

Thanks Angie! They were a brave purchase for me because I wasn't sure I'd actually wear them but I am really loving them!

Vix, you are right, I just need to try things and see how I like it. And I think I need to try it for a whole day not just put it on and go "no I don't think so". Thanks for your thoughts and examples!

I mostly skew toward cool metals, but still like the occasional gold bit and also like bronzy metals--sort of in-between.
If you prefer one aesthetically, go for it, but in terms of rules, I'm with Angie--no rules.
But, sometimes my "eye" likes only one direction with a particular item and I think that's just case-by case, like anything--aha, I like this necklace, bag, shoes--better with this outfit.

I often observe handbag colors and metals and I find there are no rules there. Blush may be with gold or silver. Burgundy and purple even cool versions often with gold and look great. Cobalt blue with gold. Camel with silver.
In fact I will sometimes use the jewelry metal color to "move" the outfit in the direction I want, or blend colors and prints in a certain vibe. So since my palette is cool, but I still like some warm colors and rich neutrals, "my" camel bag might be better with silver hardware, to go with grays and black. Or also will use different metals to feel more seasonal.