#CAB6DC · #D8B998
Four independent scores (read the one that fits your goal): Readability 0/100 (fail) · Harmony 100/100 (triadic) · Distinguishable 61/100 (somewhat similar) · Match 16/100 (different). There is no single “good/bad” — a pair can clash for text yet be great for an outfit.
Thistle and MellowBuff are very different (ΔE 38). They have distinctly different hues (119° apart) and their lightness is similar, so they read as two same-weight colours.
Thistle text on MellowBuff: 1.01:1 (Fail); MellowBuff text on Thistle: 1.01:1 (Fail). Neither meets AA at body size — nudging one color to #584767 clears it.
Triadic — triadic — a recognised, balanced pairing (harmony 100/100). This is about how they look together (clothing, interiors, branding), independent of text contrast.
Not at body size — the best direction is only 1.0:1, below the 4.5:1 minimum. Nudging one colour to #584767 clears AA.
Their CIE76 ΔE is about 38 — very different.
clearly different colours (ΔE 38).
Explore each color: Thistle #CAB6DC · MellowBuff #D8B998 · Shades: Thistle shades · MellowBuff shades · Contrast checker →