Red and pink together is one of those combinations people are told to avoid, and I think it is one of the prettiest things you can wear. The trick is keeping everything else calm, so the two colours are the whole story.

I like a soft pink next to a clear red, rather than two brights. A pale pink sweater with a red shoe, or a red knit with a blush bag, looks fresh and grown up.

The pink knits below run from barely there to raspberry. Citizens of Humanity's Simone polo is $400 and &Daughter's short sleeved Wicklow is $475. Le Kasha's cropped Menorca, at $650, is the deepest pink here. Max Mara's Maceti in cashmere and silk is $695 and Lisa Yang's Nariel turtleneck is $1,040. Khaite's Leta in dusty rose, at $1,340, is the most muted.

Skin tone matters less than people think. Almost everyone can wear a pale pink and a clear red, and the combination tends to warm up your face in winter. Toteme's open-knit mohair, at $740, is the softest texture of the lot.

For red knits, I look for a true red rather than orange or burgundy, and I like them with jeans or a cream trouser so the colour has space.

FRAME's Gathered Honeycomb sweater has short sleeves and costs $400. Citizens of Humanity's Alessia is a slim ribbed red at $400, and High Sport's Haley, at $940, is a classic crew. Simone Rocha's merino sweater, at $865, laces up the front, which is a sweet detail.

Dries Van Noten's merino with elbow length sleeves is $630, Auralee's half zip is $750 and Isabel Marant's Enza, at $790, has soft gathers at the shoulder. Khaite's Kelly in a chunky red cashmere is $2,900.

If you are nervous about the pairing, start with a red knit and add a pink bag. It is easier than it sounds.

Texture helps too. A fuzzy pink mohair next to a smooth red leather shoe looks richer than two flat knits, so mix at least one soft piece with one polished one. Auralee's half zip is the most practical for everyday, especially with a white shirt collar underneath.

Shoes and bags are the gentlest way to bring the second colour in. A pink outfit with a red shoe, or the other way round, is all it takes.

For red, Aeyde's Tiby suede ballet flat is $545 and Manolo Blahnik's BB 90 suede pump, at $895, is the one I would buy for life. Lié Studio's Paula tote in a deep red suede is $660 and Proenza Schouler's Hex clutch is $1,490.

For pink, Toteme's Mary Jane slingback flat in pale pink is $640 and Christian Louboutin's Chambeliboat loafer in blush suede is $895. Saint Laurent's Cassandre bag in a dusty rose is $1,500, and Gabriela Hearst's Leonora in pale pink suede, at $3,280, is the most special.

Try a red bag with a pink knit, or a pink flat with a red sweater, and keep everything else to jeans, cream or black. That is the whole formula, and it works for the office as well as the weekend. Proenza Schouler's Hex clutch combines leather and suede in red, which gives it lovely depth.