Black, white, and grey are pure neutrals. Absent from the colour wheel because they are absent of colour. In a strict sense, they are the only true neutrals. They are versatile, graphic, and can feature heavily in your wardrobe if they suit your complexion. 

In fashion, quiet colours like dark blue, browns, creams, tan, and taupe, olives, and blue denim are neutrals too. Most earth tones are considered neutrals because they are found in nature. Fashion neutrals are better suited to many complexions than pure neutrals.

Some non-neutrals are so versatile to you that they function like a neutral in your wardrobe. These are personal neutrals. Colours like burgundy, eggplant, blush pink, red, burnt orange, or metallics can be “neutral” for you, and non-neutral for others.

Following my new year’s wish for you — to dress honestly — here are some fantastic quotes that bring it home. Great style is about authenticity, creativity, and confidence. It is about you, more than anything else. All of these quotes convey that sentiment in their own way. 

Real style is never right or wrong. It’s a matter of being yourself on purpose. – G. Bruce Boyer

Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself. – Oscar de la Renta

Style is the art of self-expression. It’s about saying who you are without words. – Orson Welles.

Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose. – Lauren Hutton

Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There’s no how-to roadmap to style. It’s about self-expression and, above all, attitude. – Iris Apfel

The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you. – Coco Chanel

I believe in wearing what makes you feel beautiful, not just fashionable. – Grace Kelly

Fashion is just something money can buy. People who are stylish are free and have no fear in staying true to themselves. – Marc Jacobs

Character. Intelligence. Strength. Style. That makes beauty. – Diane von Furstenburg

Personal style is about having a sense of yourself, and what you believe in every day. – Ralph Lauren

Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality. – Shawn Ashmore

It’s important to find what really suits who you are, because style isn’t only what you wear, it’s what you project. – Carolina Herrera

I believe style comes from within. It’s about having a sense of who you are and staying true to that. – Stella McCartney

Create your own style. Let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others. – Anna Wintour

What’s my style is not your style, and I don’t see how you can define it. It’s something that expresses who you are in your own way. – Iris Apfel

If you love something, wear it all the time. Find things that suit you. This is how you look extraordinary. – Vivienne Westwood

Remember that a personal style that makes you feel comfortable and happy, and is an authentic expression of who you are, will also make you feel more confident when you present yourself to the world. That confidence, in turn, will make you look and feel more attractive. Find the factors that contribute most to your confidence, and fine-tune them as you progress on your style journey.

I’ll leave you with this quote from yours truly:

Style is confidence. Express your energy and attitude through your clothing, footwear, accessories, and grooming. Express it with ease and confidence, and you will have style. – Angie Cox

It’s 2025, which marks my thirty-third year working in fashion and style. It also marks our twenty-second year of living in the US, and nineteenth year of YLF. These things have been constants for long periods of my life, and I’m grateful for them. 

At the start of every year, I re-read Lifehack’s post on how to bring positive energy into your life right now. I find it compelling and it really resonates. You might too.

My new year’s wish for you is to dress HONESTLY. The more honest your style, the easier it is to manage, evolve, and to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Sport a style that reflects your personality, sartorial preferences, values, lifestyle, and the weather. Prioritize comfort, what you enjoy wearing, and what makes you feel attractive. Use your signature style as a foundation to build outfits that feel like you. Nothing is dated when your outfit projects confidence, ease, a pulled together look, and intention.

I further wish you an infinite amount of whatever it is that makes fashion and style meaningful to you. Along with laughter, good health, interesting adventures, fun trips, memorable moments, fab friendships, and waking up with peace in your hearts.

This is the last post for 2024, and I can barely believe it. September, October and November went by in a flash! We’re very ready for some down time, and maybe you are too. 

Hubs Greg, Yorkies Sam and Jo, and I will be spending the holidays in Seattle. We’ve extended our remodel project and won’t be moving back into our loft until early next year. In the meantime we are comfortable in our rental and intend to spread good cheer. Seattle is especially atmospheric at this time of year, and we will make the most of it with friends, eating out, feasting at home, puzzling, enjoying nature, and catching up on sleep and good tele. We’ll be dressing up, as well as keeping it casual and cosy.

We also do fun outdoorsy things with Sam and Jo at this time of year, like going to Whidbey Island and staying at the Inn. Our Yorkies love going to the beaches and walking on the trails in that part of Washington, and we enjoy it too. They’ll be wrapped up in sweaters and puffers when they’re outside, and wearing their new holiday bandanas indoors. They’ve gone for traditional blues this year, as opposed to holiday red.

We wish you a happy, safe, peaceful and festive end of the year. Laugh, love, rest, and spread good cheer. Blog posts will commence on January 3rd.