Grey v. Taupe

kellygirl

I'm terrible when it comes to color. I'm going to buy one of these dresses but I can't figure out which color is a better neutral for me. So am I understanding this correctly--that grey is cool and taupe is warm? If so, someone with cool coloring looks better in grey? I should look better in the grey--to match my greying hair? I think the taupe is really pretty but I worry that I'm going to look like I'm walking around nekkid! Thoughts?

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8 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

unfrumped

Veteran

I think both of those run cool. Taupe I think of as a cool brown, but there are definitely many variations, just as a gray can be a warm gray.
This gray reads cool to me.

When faced with 2 top or dress colors, especially if both are neutrals, I usually find that one just looks better for whatever reason (oops, sometimes both look fab!). Some combination of complexion-brightening and even how a particular color drapes. And how much you love it for sure!
Interestingly, sometimes gray looks more casual in some fabrics, if it brings to mind "athletic gray", but in luxe fabrics it should look dressy enough. Also, think of your accessories. Taupe IS a neutral and many have success mixing it with lots of other colors, but I find it more picky than gray. Looks great with black usually, though. Yes, if for some reason the taupe looked too close to skin tone, you might "feel naked" but you won't know 'til you try.
Ideally you would try both on!

8 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think the gray dress is cooler than the taupe dress and, with your black hair and high contrast coloring, that the gray would work better for you.

8 years ago

Veteran

Taupe is usually a cooler neutral; warm would be tan I think. And greys are so tricky to tell; it really depends on their undertone! Can you try them on person first?

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Mmm, I think taupe these days is kind of a catch-all term for all sorts of indeterminate neutrals. It's kind of not cool OR warm? I find it kind of changes color/tone depending on the light and what you wear it with.

So, since we have similar coloring. I would choose the grey because I think the always-cool tone is probably better next to the face. I do wear taupe but mostly as bottoms or shoes, so not right next to my face.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This particular taupe looks cool, but grey is cooler and would look better on you I think.

8 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I definitely see purple/blue undertone in the "taupe" so that would make it a cool shade. I don't see any undertone in the grey at all.

I thought taupe was a beige with black mixed in to dull it.

I favor cool colors and of the two, I would likely pick the taupe.

8 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

This continues to confuse me. That is a shade of taupe I love but can't wear, and I can no longer wear that grey either. I think the grey would be better on you though, just on instinct.

8 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

This is so interesting. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. Grey is in the lead! Actually, that is the color that was in my cart because my impulse was that was the more flattering color. After reading your posts, I now agree that both look kind of cool.( @dianthus, I see the purplish undertone now. I didn't notice that before!) I wish the "taupe" was shown on a person. Maybe that color didn't work on any of the models!
@unfrumped: you bring up some great points. Complexion brightening is one that I often realize but never think about. I rarely feel like grey is complexion brightening whereas certain shades of brown sometimes can be flattering. Accessories too--in my case that would really just be shoes. I'm trying to avoid the head to toe black look these days. The boots I'm planning to wear for fall and winter are all black and seem like would work with either color.

ETA: FWIW, the dress is actually very flattering in black. Nice fabrication, not as clingy as the one on the model. (She must have sized down.) The small on me is pretty modest and I'm usually always a medium in most brands.

8 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I find grey to be a challenge. I used to buy a lot of it and then it sits in the closet never worn (three tops on the chopping block now). I had decided to quit it and now am searching for a grey dress.

If black works, could you not get that? It goes with everything and you can add a color easily with a third piece or accessories. When in doubt go with the sure thing.

8 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran