Pink and red used to be filed under clashes. I think that rule was written by someone who never saw a dusty rose sweater with a tomato red skirt. It's the most cheerful pairing I know, a bit like strawberries and cream, and it feels especially good when everything outside is gray.

The key is contrast in shade. Pale pink with bright red works. Hot pink with bright red can work, but it's louder. Two mid-tones sitting close together are the ones that look accidental.

Start with pink. Khaite's Emmylou T-shirt in Petal is the simplest possible way in, and the Seberg dress in Dusty Rose is a long, fluid knit for a splurge. Calvin Klein Collection's Sophie satin shirt is a soft salmon pink that tucks beautifully into a red skirt. Jil Sander's cropped poplin shirt is pale and crisp. For drama, Cult Gaia's Renata gown in Blossom is a hot pink halter that looks great with a red lip, and Aje.'s Villa skirt is layer upon layer of pale pink organza.

If you're nervous, start tonal: a pink sweater and pink pants, then add red shoes. Or go the other way with a red knit over a pale pink skirt. Either way, one color leads and the other follows.

Red is the anchor. Pick a clear, confident red rather than a brick or wine shade, because you want it to pop against the pink.

Gucci's wool-crepe mini skirt, with three gold GG buttons, is the showstopper. The Guest In Residence Workday jeans are a faded red denim that keeps the pairing casual. High Sport's Haley sweater and Dries Van Noten's merino crewneck are the knits, both great over a pale pink shirt with the collar out. For evening, Abadia's Mila gown drapes long and red, and Cult Gaia's Katara knit dress is $368 and very easy to wear.

The simplest outfit here: pink top, red bottom, neutral shoes. It sounds bold. It looks polished.

Wear the red where you want the attention. A red skirt draws the eye down and keeps things relaxed. A red sweater or coat puts it near your face, which is lovely if you like a red lip to match.

Then there's the small-dose route. A pink bag with a red coat, or red shoes with a pink dress.

Jimmy Choo's Faiz pumps are pale pink lace with a gold toe, very pretty. Cult Gaia's Camilla sandal in Petal is a soft pink heel. New Balance's 992 sneakers in pink and mauve suede are the weekend pick at $200. For bags, Givenchy's Pinch Soft clutch and Proenza Schouler's Hex clutch are both red, one slouchy and one sharp. Saint Laurent's Evening satin clutch is a dusty rose that pairs with anything red, and Valesque's quilted shell bag is the budget pink at $255.

If you only buy one thing from this story, make it a red bag. It works with pink, and also with navy, camel, gray and denim.