A bright green that I know as emerald and jade is having its fashion moment. When I came to the US eighteen years ago, my clients referred to it as Kelly green, and I learned a new term. Kelly is a common Irish name and the colour is associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Kelly Green is a classic and intense green that is found between blue and yellow on the colour wheel. Some of the cooler toned greens are more blue, and the warmer ones are more yellow. There are lighter and some darker shades. Kelly green is popular as a solid and part of a pattern. It’s vivid, fresh, and reminds me of luscious green grass.
Here is an assortment of Kelly green items.
To my eye, Kelly green looks smashing with blue. From light blue, mid-tones, navy and ink blue, to all sorts of turquoise and cobalt. I also like it with lighter and darker shades of green. It’s fab with black and white, and can look specularly daring with tints and tones of purple, yellow, pink and orange. Wearing it with red is an acquired taste, which we see more of at Christmas time.
Over the years, I’ve worn Kelly green items in a solid, pattern, and especially in the ‘80s. I liked it and still do, but it’s not a green I generally gravitate to. I am fonder of a more acidic lime and apple green, and will choose those brighter more yellow greens over other greens. That said, if I bumped into a Kelly green item of clothing that I loved, the colour would not put me off. It would look nice with my light blue specs.
Over to you. Do you like Kelly green and wear it? How do you like to incorporate the colour into your style?
