Yellow: the unexpected star of the brights
April 3rd, 2008Yellow started coming through last Spring and has made an even stronger impact this season. You’ll find energizing shades of yellow clothing, footwear and accessories ranging from the palest lemon to the brightest gold and electric citron in stores right now.
You won’t be disappointed if you incorporate yellow into your wardrobe. If you can’t wear the colour close to your face, sport it through a camisole, shoes, handbag, pendant, necklace, belt or patterned item that incorporates yellow. And don’t rule out wearing the right shade of yellow close to your face either. Yellow seems to soften once it’s surrounded by other colours. Surprisingly, yellow has worked beautifully each time I have incorporated it into someone’s wardrobe. It’s especially striking in shoes against dark denim and brings dull neutrals to life.
I grew up in a Dutch household where orange, yellow and red were regarded as perfectly basic colours for men and women. You’ll find Dutch men sporting these hot shades as if they were blue. So I guess I’m used to yellow and took to the cheerful shade as soon as it surfaced as a fashion colour. Nothing says Spring quite as appropriately as daffodil yellow, so don’t be scared to try it if it’s new for you. I’m willing to bet that you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
There is a sea of yellow in my wardrobe at the moment. Something very merry about the colour makes me smile.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 am
I agree!
Yellow against dark denim is one of my favourite looks.. with white
And I love how cheery it is… although I don’t care for the neon shades of it
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 am
i can wear yellow very well, it’s one of the privileges of being dark, but i’ve been struggling to find a yellow dress for eons. everything is too short, too decollete, too awkward for daily wear. marc jacobs has some gorgeous stuff but it’s the wrong price point for me.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
Right now I only have one yellow thing in my closet. It’s a v-necked t-shirt or knit shirt (not sure which) with light yellow, blue, and purple stripes. I love the look of yellow with dark blue and white as well and have seen it in several stores, but haven’t tired it out yet. Most yellow I’ve been seeing are startlingly bright, and I think I look beater in pastel yellow. Still I’d love to add some more color variety to my wardrobe.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
Hear, hear! Yellow is fab! It looks especially great with navy, just like in the pictures form B&R.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Summer day dresses aren’t easy. But the good news is that Summer’s second collection of inputs is about to hit stores and hopefully there will be more styles to choose from. I am holding out hope!
Sarah, a T shirt is always a knit. Perhaps you mean a knitted top? You would look great in a brighter yellow. Trust me.
I also like a citrus yellow with aqua and white. I put this combo on friend last week and she looked great. The sun is shining in Seattle and my yellow shoes have come out of hibernation. Yay!
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
I remember last spring when bright yellow was looking great with cobalt blue. I love the yellow and navy even more! The bunch of freshly cut yellow daffodils on my coffee table are getting me in the Spring mood!
I love Banana Republic’s spring line–I’m excited for this year!
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
I ‘ve warmed up to yellow and added some pieces ( cami, thin cashmere cardi, sleevless wrap shirt) even tough I used to think that as a pale blonde I could not wear it. I can, it was just a matter of finding a right shade and combining it with right colors ( white, navy etc). Thank you very much for pointing me in this direction Angie, I would have never tried it otherwise!
I am on the lookout for a few more pieces: flats/miniwedges and a print skirt with yellow flowers.
For some reason, I’m really drawn to these very bright jcrew khakis:
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....cat301201.
However I am not sure if they would be flattering and verstaile. I am slim ( 5′6″, 110 lb), but with a curvy bottom ( 25″ waist, 37″ hips) so I am not sure if the bright color will emphasize that. And could I wear them in different ways other than with white/navy tops?
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
here, here! it irks me when friends say they can’t wear yellow - yes you can! i will forward them this post
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Love yellow, but it doesn’t work for me…Hmm…maybe I’ll try it again
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I’m thrilled that you gave yellow a bash Dancing Star! Try those yellow khaki’s on and see how feel in them. I do not see your lovely curvy bottom as a challenge. I like them matched with navy and white. It keeps it fresh that way. Always with white.
I too love BR’s Spring line Christie. J Crew is looking rather good too. So far so good for Spring 2008!
April 4th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Yes Angie, I meant “knitted top” not “knit top.” You really think I’d look good in bright yellow? Super! I guess I’ll have to try it out. I used to have a pair of yellow shoes; I wonder if those are still around somewhere. I absolutely love the first outfit you posted a picture of, unfortuantely, I can’t go out and spend $231 for a skirt, cardi, and shoes. I wish I could though.
April 4th, 2008 at 7:02 am
ohhh, I really like the look of the yellow purse with the black and white dress. Hmmm, I’m going to have to think about that. . .
April 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I love yellow - but I am one of those crazy people who can’t wear it.
I have dark hair and fairly olive skin, I can pull off yellow shades only when very very very tan. And Angie, as you know, Seattle does not help with the tan.
Help - is there any way I can wear yellow in a top anywhere near my face?
April 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I just bought a big patent yellow bag on sale at Target yesterday; I really like it.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I was so inspired by that great yellow clutch that I went and bought myself a yellow sling purse! It’s amazing what a fresh pop of color can do. It’s going to be the perfect accessory for my short black & white polka dot dress with dark bootcuts.
April 9th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I always had an impression that yellow would make my skin look even yellower (I’m asian with a bit yellowish skin tone). Today at the store I was surprised to find out that some yellow actually flattered my skin very well. I ended up picking up a yellow athletic-inspired anoraks (the style looks like the sliver one posted in “Spring’s active anorak”) and a yellow simple t-shirt. I’m loving the look!
April 29th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I have a new soft yellow purse for day. Love color and need to know what would look terrible with it since, I can get carried away. I live in the hot humid south… so, I do not wear much black in the summer. I am 54. I need clothes that work for running errands and seeing friends for a casual lunch.
I am ususally in khakis or jeans.I would not really use a yellow purse with green shoes but, I have a gorgeous green casual shoe and a peep toe sandle. What color purse?
For the summer I would like to wear a blue bracelet with stones and the yellow purse …is this too busy a look?
I also, wear as much aqua/turquoise as I can find since, it is flattering.
Love color- just do not want to look like a clown.
Thank you
April 30th, 2008 at 7:18 am
You can wear green shoes with a yellow handbag. If you’re unconformable with that, consider a green bag to match.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:20 am
[…] Yellow: the unexpected star of the brights […]