Taupe

Carol

I have to say, taupe is one of my favorite colors in fashion. Beige and grey feel way too safe, but somehow when you combine them to form taupe, it feels fresh. Almost like what a creative child would do with primary color paints in the classroom.

I have taupe nails right now (Mineral Fusion), almost the color of a koala.

https://www.mineralfusion.com/products/taupe

What are your thoughts on taupe? Or is there an unusual color you really love to wear?

5 months ago

Inspiration

17 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Joy

Veteran

Taupe is one of my favorites. I wear warm colors and taupe can be warm… warmer than grey. Taupe can be hard to find in certain pieces.
I love to wear sour green but am finding it rare. This year it is easier but not easy. I am still looking for sour green pants.

5 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love taupe. I don't actually wear it all that often any more (I wore it more when my hair was dark blonde) but I still like it and think it can be extremely sophisticated.

5 months ago

JAileen

Veteran

Part of our house is painted taupe. It looks great with the brick, white trim and roof shingles. Against tan it looks grey, and against grey it looks tan. Two of our neighbors have since picked the exact same color for their houses, including our next door neighbor. One of them asked if we minded (what could we say?) and the other one admitted coming up to the house with paint chips trying to match the color.

Right now, I’m wanting to wear olive. I don’t want it too dark, or too yellowish.

5 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

Taupe was my go-to beige for a long time but I think I can wear warm or cool colors so I branched out to true beiges and khakis. I do have a very old taupe cardigan that I still reach for often and love. Sometimes the warmer tones just don't work as well.

5 months ago

Kate

Veteran

I adore a cool taupe, though it can be harder to find at retail than warmer taupes.

JAileen, I went through many pints of paint to find the exact cool taupe to use on our house’s exterior. I used a different cooler taupe on some of the interior walls. It plays well with bolder color in furnishings and accessories.

5 months ago

Star

Veteran

I love a cool taupe. Taupe bags and shoes I have had have been workhorses. So versatile.

5 months ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Taupe is a lovely colour. But not a great colour on me.

Taupe nail polish sounds wonderful. It must look fantastic on you.

5 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Taupe is not my best either - it requires some contrast or makeup to make it work. But it is a sophisticated beautiful natural.

5 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Taupe is a great neutral because it can lean cool or warm. Olive is sort of similar. Maybe burgundy too.

5 months ago

Bijou

Veteran

I love koalas, so I am a fan especially when it is in something unexpected such as a nail colour.

5 months ago

Jules

Veteran

I like taupe, it can hit a sweet spot for me between too cool greys and too warm beiges. I used to really like it combined with colours in the red/orange/yellow side of the wheel. These days more likely in neutral outfits with natural linen, browns, black.

5 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have always kinda liked taupe, as it suits me better than warmer beiges and tans. It’s not usually easy to match, but I guess that’s not important if you’re pairing it with other solids. I’d be open to adding taupe back into my wardrobe if the right item showed up, and if I find it still works with my coloring now that my hair has changed.

5 months ago

Helena

Veteran

I love taupe, and it's much better on me than gray ... It's come and goes in fashion so I've bought a fair amount in the last few seasons...although not always clear what differentiates taupe from tan, is the presence of gray?

5 months ago

Jules

Veteran

I find Maria Killam’s system helpful on distinguishing between neutrals. But in the end it’s somewhat subjective!

https://mariakillam.com/all-about-taupe/

5 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Joy--I love sour green, but I feel like it's rare every year.
Suz--I am blond--I am not sure if it goes with my hair--I will have to check.
JAileen--that's a funny story, and I'm glad they admit they did that. House paint choices were always harrowing for my parents in their well-to-do cul-de-sac.
RobinF--there must be a million gradients between true grey and true tan. I like khaki, especially in a classic form, like khakis--ha ha.
Kate--I love the idea of taupe for a room color. I can envision what you're saying--a hunter green chair or a blush table. They would go with the wall.

5 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Star--it is versatile, isn't it? Blends in in a mundane way, but not really mundane. Noticeable.
Style Fan--I love it. Maybe when I re-polish, I will snap a pic.
Sal--it is interesting how a color can be so specific to us. I was testing swatches in the mirror the other day, and I found a baby blue doesn't work, and a cobalt doesn't work, but a nice in-between pool blue or cornflower does.
Jaime--all great colors. I also love burgundy. I need to play around with olive a bit.
Bijou--it is such a koala color! I got to hold a koala once, when I was in high school visiting Australia. There is a sanctuary there where they will plop a trained koala right on you, and he holds onto you like a baby.

5 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Jules--what a great idea--taupes with brights. Must take some planning to pull off, though.
Janet--right, takes some planning. Unless you do like I did, and wear it in a tiny area like your nails.
Helena--yeah, I am not sure I mentioned that in my post. Taupe results from mixing tan/beige and gray, probably in about equal proportions.
Jules--I will check that out...just as soon as I finish this comment. Don't want the page to open and my comments disappear.

5 months ago

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