Are red and green really complimentary?

When I was in college, I remember taking a color theory class in which we learned that colors opposite on the color wheel work well together.  This always puzzled me, because I HATED red and green at Christmas time, it was just so potent.  In fact, I always decorate with an alternate color theme for Christmas, black and white, red and silver, etc.  But today when I added this dress after the sweater to the shop and their photos were right next to each other, I started thinking that they could look good together in the right proportions. And though I wouldn't recommend wearing these as an outfit, I think the photo of the room below them is lovely example.

last photo found here.