Olive, terracotta and forest night, the colours explained

Short answer: Olive is a muted green, terracotta a warm reddish brown, and forest night a very dark green. All three work as calm alternatives to black and grey and are easy to pair with what you already own.

Olive is the most versatile

Olive is almost as understated as grey, which is why it goes with nearly everything. It pairs well with denim, navy and black and looks neither dull nor loud. If most of your wardrobe is neutral, olive is a safe first step away from black. See the colour in bamboo sweatwear, where it works at home and out.

Terracotta adds warmth

Terracotta is the warmest of the three. It sits between red and brown and gives a calm, earthy look. It works best with other earth tones, cream and beige, and it can lighten a wardrobe that is otherwise very dark. See the styles in Copenhagen Bamboo bestsellers and think about what you will wear it with.

Forest night is almost black

Forest night is dark enough to use in most places where you would otherwise reach for black. The difference is that it adds a little more depth and looks slightly softer. It goes with grey, navy and dark denim and is a good choice if you want variety without standing out. Find it in the men's range.

How to combine the three colours

The three colours belong to the same family, so they can be worn together. A simple rule is to let one of them be the clear colour and keep the rest neutral. Olive with terracotta gives a warm, relaxed look, while forest night with olive stays calm and dark. Three muted colours at once can quickly become too much.

Light and season change the colours

Muted colours shift more with the light than black and white do. Olive can look greyish on an overcast day and greener in the sun. Terracotta looks lighter outdoors than indoors, and forest night looks almost black under lamps. That is why it helps to see the colour in daylight before deciding what it should match.

Washing keeps the colour calm

Dark and rich colours last longest when washed inside out at 30 or 40 degrees with a mild detergent. Wash them with similar colours, especially the first few times. Skip the tumble dryer, since heat wears on both fabric and colour. Drying in the shade is the gentlest option, as direct sun can fade muted shades over time.

When to choose which colour

If you want a colour that goes with everything, olive is the easiest choice. If you want something that stands out a little but stays calm, terracotta is a good option. And if you want to keep the dark look with a bit more life than black, forest night is the natural step. You can start with one and add the others later.

Colours in a basic wardrobe

A basic wardrobe usually builds on black, white, grey and navy. The three muted colours can be added on top without breaking the whole, because they are calm enough to combine with the neutral pieces. That way you get more variety from the same number of garments, and getting dressed in the morning becomes easier.

Frequently asked questions

Is olive a summer colour

It is worn all year. In summer it suits light trousers and shorts, and in autumn it goes with dark trousers and knitwear in earth tones.

What goes with terracotta

Cream, beige, brown, denim and black. With strong colours like bright blue or red it quickly becomes too much, so keep the rest of the outfit calm.

Can you see the difference between black and forest night

In daylight yes, the green tone is clearly visible. Indoors and under lamps the two look very similar and are easy to mix up.