I want to apologize in advance for this long post.
I feel so lost. In the past, I usually bought outfits that were 2 pieces or that someone else had put together (like on a mannequin or in a magazine). I always wore these together and never ventured out much to mix or match. This was easiest for me.
Now I want to try and mix and match on my own but I am struggling. I’m a regular visitor of the “What I am wearing today” thread. This has given me several ideas. I am implementing the “pres method” and I have a good start but I am having trouble with finding colors to go with my navy dress pants and my brown dress pants. All of my pants are solid colors – black, grey, navy, brown, and tan. I don’t wear skirts or dresses because I have extremely large calves that I despise. I am only 5’3” and Plus size and I feel like long skirts make me look shorter. I mainly wear solid colored tops because I am afraid of wearing an “old lady” print (as my daughter puts it). I am 37 years old and want to dress my age.
Can someone help me coordinate colors?

So you're wanting colors that go well with brown & navy? I actually might know a few!

Dark brown is supposed to look good with: lemon yellow, baby blue, mint green, baby purple, and lighter greens.

and Navy is supposed to look good with: purple, tan, brown, gray, yellows, oranges, greens, reds, and pastel colors.

I'm not so great with outfits, but I hope that helps! Good luck!

I felt very lost, too, before I really started to play with outfits and take risks. I'd take a few hours and play with the same outfit until I liked it. It made me really nervous at first, but now I feel great!

This season, I see a lot of neutral combinations and deep, jewel tones that go well with neutrals. So you're in luck. This season, you don't have to agonize over how to wear purple and yellow in the same outfit.

To start, try an animal print shirt like this one from NY&Co. It's a print, but it also serves as a neutral. And it's definitely not an "old lady" print. Try the gray/black with either navy or brown, add a jacket (gray would be fine) and some statement jewelry. If you want a pop of color, shades of red go well with animal print.

Do you have pictures of outfits that you can post? It might be easier to suggest things if I could see what piece you're working with. I'm in a fashion rut lately myself, but the folks on the board have been very helpful with outfit tweaks. I'm sure that you'll get more detailed answers, too!

These are neutral colors so you dont have to worry much.

Brown-Light shades-tan,creme,rust-shades,red,some pastel greens,light muaves
Navy -grey,mauves..plums

keep on trying and with time you will like experimenting and knowing better.

Animal print -as LC said, would go great with brown pant +blazer/jacket

I think these blog posts are very helpful. They use a color wheel to show which color combinations work best.

Complementary Colors and the Two-Thirds Rule

Neutrals (With a Pop)

Triads and Analogous Colors

Monochrome and Split Complementaries