We’ve all been told, all our lives, not to match black and brown, black and navy, pink and red, and countless other color combinations. But here’s a secret—it’s actually totally fine. The key to pulling it off, without looking like you got dressed in the dark, is making it look intentional. The reason these color combos are traditionally no-no’s is that they’re so similar that pairing them the wrong way can look like a color-blind accident. But take heart—there is a right way to wear them as well. If you’re going to wear a black dress with brown shoes, for example, make sure all of your accessories—belt, bag, even jewelry—are the same shade of brown. This evens out the amount of color and looks stylishly purposeful—and it works across the board for all problematic colors combinations.