Olive green comes in many shades and tones. Some olives are more yellow, and others more brown or green. Some are cool-toned, and some warm-toned. Some are dark, and others light. Olive is thought of as a fashion neutral, and is popular across most wardrobe items. You might like to wear olive when you have green or hazel eyes.
Most of my clients enjoy olive in one way or another. For some, it’s their favourite colour and best neutral. Many clients have olive pants, knitwear, and utility jackets. Notably, I have green eyes, but have broken up with olive. I tend to have one to three olive items in my wardrobe, but am down to one. Now that I’m sporting my natural dark blonde hair instead of highlighting it a light platinum blonde, I feel un-fab in olive. I’m down to an old but gorgeous olive sweater dress, which is in a better light olive for my complexion. Oh, how I wish it was red, navy, citron, shocking pink or turquoise, instead of olive.
I love olive for those who enjoy wearing it! Here are some outfits that might inspire you.
1. Columned Olive
This outfit features olive from head to toe. Note the varying textures from leather and corduroy, to patterned jersey knit, faux fur, and weatherproof nylon – all of which add interest to the outfit. A pair of on-trend olive pleated straight leg pants is combined with a soft olive patterned knitted turtleneck. Olive combat boots elongate the long line of olive. The pants are rolled at the hems to showcase more of the boots. A long quilted puffer vest tops the outfit. The vest allows the patterned sleeves to peek through, which creates visual interest. But a sleeved puffer or olive coat would be just as fab. The toffee faux fur trim effectively picks up the colour of the model’s hair. I see a toffee, tan, red, light blue, teal, or citron bag to finish things off.
2. Sweater Dress
Here’s an option for Team Dress. Throw on an olive sweater dress, a pair of animal print shoes, and a bag to match – and Bob’s your uncle. Feel free to throw in casual-lug soled boots or combat boots, instead. And choose a woven or jersey dress if sweater dresses aren’t for you. I have an olive sweater dress in this tone of olive, and wear it with cream boots and bag, and either a red, turquoise, navy, or citron coat.
3. Layered and Accessorized
This one is for Team Olive and Black. Create a column of black with bottoms and a top. Here a black pullover is matched with black faux leather joggers and on-trend lug-soled boots. An olive poncho tops the lot. The look is accessorized with black gloves that match the texture of the joggers, and an olive hat and scarf that perfectly match the palette. A black satchel would be a handy option to carry with the poncho.
4. Accented and Suited
And last, my favourite of the lot because it’s the dressiest and I LOVE pantsuits. An on-trend pair of navy wide leg pants is combined with a crisp white shirt that’s worn untucked. A cropped olive pullover is worn over the shirt like a sweater vest. White sneakers match the white of the shirt. Feel free to wear boots, loafers, or oxfords if that’s more your cup of tea. A navy pinstripe blazer tops the layers to create a dressy and chic finishing touch. The untucked layers and sneakers relax the dressiness of the suit. I see a white, navy, or light blue bag too. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.
