How to Add Bold Color to a Neutral Wardrobe
Nothing exudes a sense of comfortable polish like a neutral outfit. Having neutral items in a closet affords numerous adaptable styles that nearly all match one another, making dressing easy. But sometimes, adding a burst of color to your neutral wardrobe can elevate it even further. Let’s talk about adding color accents to your neutral wardrobe by season.
For Casual Drinks
If your last meeting ends at 5 and you’re meeting the girls at 5:30 at your favorite spot, don’t miss a beat on your social calendar.
Spring marks a new season of bright, soft colors. If you find yourself wanting to add color accents to your neutral spring wardrobe, use the natural shades of the season.
Pastels
Pastels are soft color tones like pale green, butter yellow, rose pink, baby blue. When we think of adding new shades to spring neutrals, think about playing with other cool shades: a silk blouse in light blue under a white suit brings a fun, seasonal pop of color to your neutrals without being overwhelming. For a more casual look, try mixing a neutral top, cardigan, and shoe with a bright and colorful pair of jeans in a spring color.
For Dinner
That restaurant reservation makes for a tight schedule, but with these tips, you can be ready from the moment you leave the house this morning. Make the workwear to evening transition easy with these tips.
Neutral linen and cotton styles for summer are mainstays for fashion lovers around the world. Break the monochromatic look up with something bright and bold.
Tropical Colors
During summer weather, bold accent colors are the colors of tropical sunsets: orange, coral pink, sunny yellow, ocean blue. In the warmth of summer, sets in shades of tan or white are often favored to keep the heat at bay, which means a warm, tropical color will really spark against the neutral sets. Consider wearing your favorite beige linen set with a pair of colorful sandals, a bold tote bag, or a daring cover-up over your shoulders.
Autumn marks the start of a new year in the fashion world. From runways to editorials, new color trends are established that will carry through the rest of the year. Because these shows air six months earlier than the actual season, you can get a head start on seasonal color trends by watching the runways. Consider adding some of these colors to differentiate your neutral wardrobe.
Warm Colors
Autumn is marked by many of the colors seen in the changing foliage: burgundy, coffee brown, olive green, gold, rust orange. It’s also the herald of cooler temperatures on the horizon, which means layers. Use this to your advantage by adding a layer to your neutral fall set. A vest in rust orange, a jacket in olive green, or a shoe in a deep merlot will play softly with your other pieces.
Jewel tones have long reigned over winter fashion trends, and they make great statement colors for neutral winter pieces in your wardrobe. You might have a matching white apres-ski outfit ready for your holiday vacation, but consider adding another color to your suitcase before heading off to the mountains.
Jewel Tones
Winter means shorter days and longer nights, best punctuated with bold, rich shades: amethyst purple, ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green. Incorporating a rich jewel tone amongst winter neutrals (think bright ivory whites, tan fur coats, all-black velvet), no matter how small the piece, adds a major point of interest. For a nod of color on a winter workday, consider layering a purple cashmere vest over your favorite black blouse and skirt, then wear with black boots and a black blazer. For a more relaxed moment, try a pair of coated jeans in midnight blue with your favorite neutral brown sweater, belt, and matching boots.
Accessories are an easy way for your neutral wardrobe to get some color accents on smaller, but still effective, scales.
Bags & Belts
A statement bag might be the bold accent you need, and they look particularly beautiful against solid, neutral jackets. Consider trying a bag in primary colors or a bold, new shade of leather to offset your usual neutrals.
Scarves
Scarves are great ways to add beautiful and colorful touches to your outfits whether you’re wearing one in your hair, around your neck, or on your bag. Try adding a red scarf around the handle of your favorite neutral tote.
Jackets
Statement jackets and coats are eye-catching and useful, particularly as the weather cools down. Instead of a usual brown trench coat, maybe add a fun alternative to your closet to wear over your neutrals.
Shoes in metallic shades or with colorful details are yet another way to bring some color to your neutral sets. Whether they’re a pair of snakeskin pumps in green or a golden set of sandals, colorful shoes are another way to add color to a neutral wardrobe.
Seasonal Shoes
Just like with seasonal colors, consider the shades of shoes you’d wear to embolden your neutral sets: for spring, try something bright; for summer, something louder; for fall, a darker tone; for winter, try a richer color.
Adding a printed piece to your neutral arsenal can have a big impact. Consider bringing a print that includes a matching neutral color of your favorite set into your rotation to bring a pop of something new and colorful to your next ensemble.