Around 1906 the American painter John White Alexander made a portrait he called Study in Black and Green. The woman in it wears a draped evening gown striped in exactly those two colors, and The Met has kept it since 1908. I like that the title treats the pairing as the whole point of the picture, with the sitter almost secondary.

It works for the same reason it worked on canvas. Black gives green a hard edge to push against, so even a deep bottle green looks lit from inside, and green stops black from reading as a default. Neither one asks for a third color to explain itself.

A quick test: hold a green sweater against a black coat in daylight, near a window. If the green looks richer and the black looks softer, you have the balance. If the green turns murky, move to a bluer green or a warmer black.

I would begin here, because a green bag does more than a green coat for people who are nervous. JW Anderson's Bulb bag is a soft green bucket in a textured weave with a black strap, and it is the loudest thing in this grid. Toteme's slim black leather belt and Paris Texas's Jane 60 knee boots keep everything else quiet, and Lemaire's Fortune Croissant bag in black with gold stitching ties the two colors together. How to wear it: all black clothes, the green bag, and nothing else green anywhere.

Allude's cashmere cardigan is a mid green with a zip front, a collar and two roomy patch pockets, so it looks like a tidy jacket from a distance. Loewe's draped wool wide-leg pants fall in a soft fold at the front and keep the outfit from looking sporty. Miista's Dagmara boots are black leather with white contrast stitching on a chunky heel, and Valentino Garavani's Jean shoulder bag has a black leather body and a black and gold chain strap. What I would skip: a green bag here, since the cardigan already carries it.

Destree's Yoshitomo pants are emerald taffeta with pintucks and a straight leg, and they rustle a little when you walk, which I love. Khaite's Davin sweater is black cashmere with short puffed sleeves, so it sits neatly on top without competing. Balenciaga's Midnight City pumps are black leather with gold studs, and Bottega Veneta's Mini Jodie is a bright woven green bag, which repeats the pants in a smaller dose. Wear it on a night when you want a little noise in the outfit but not a lot.

Safiyaa's Ellis dress is deep green crepe with long sleeves, a belted waist and a midi skirt, the sort of dress that does not need much help. Balmain's wool serge pilot jacket is black with gold buttons and a nipped waist, and I would throw it over the dress and leave it open. Staud's Wally boots are tall black leather with a low heel, and Bottega Veneta's Small Hop is a black woven leather bag that slouches nicely. How to wear it: belt the jacket over the dress only if the dress is already belted, otherwise it gets bulky.

Marrakshi Life's Blanket coat is brushed woven wool in a saturated green with a belt, and it is honestly more of a robe-coat, which is why I like it. La DoubleJ's turtleneck sweater is black alpaca and wool with an olive feather trim at the hem, so it adds a small surprise under the coat. Isabel Marant's Tuline skirt is black leather and falls to the mid calf, and The Row's Lucca loafers are black suede. What I would skip: tights with a pattern, because the coat already has all the texture it needs.

The rule I keep coming back to is to pick one green and let it be the star. Emerald, bottle and moss all look good next to black, but two different greens in one outfit start to fight. Put the green in the biggest piece or the most visible bag, and keep shoes, belts and bags in black so the eye knows where to land. If you only own one half, start with a green knit, because you almost certainly have black pants to wear with it. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Olive Green and Black Outfits to Try This Fall and Olive Green and Cream Outfits to Try This Fall.