Your best or favourite neutrals and how do you wear them? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Your best or favourite neutrals and how do you wear them?

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

In another post I mentioned it has taken me a long time to find my best neutrals - despite being categorised as a "spring" back in the 80s. I have finally worked out what works on me. I am interested what others think are their best neutrals and how they wear them.

For me:

Best and most flattering- ivory, camel, toffee,
Also good but I hardly have any of - warm olive, chocolate brown,
a light warm pearly grey
Accent colour or away from my face - optic white and navy blue
Persevering with because I do love it - black for work, occasion wear and "gear". I like black in summer. I am trying to reduce my black but think I will always have some in my wardrobe.
Off my radar totally - charcoal grey, taupe and oatmeal
Jewelry and accessory hardware - I can and do wear both gold and silver. But I think gold is slightly better. I prefer gold and silver to rose gold.

What does your list look like?

Dressing

52 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

NICE post Sal, and I agree 99% with your assessment - not 100% because I'm SURE you look good in navy worn close to your lovely face!

You ROCK ivory, camel and toffee - sublime with your hair. I'll add a duck egg blue/grey like your '80s blazer that I love on you. And definitely gold for you, sister!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'll play too:

Best & Most Flattering: All shades of White, Navy, Ink Blue, Light Blue, Mid-tone Ice Blue.

Accent Colours: Blush, Olive, Toffee

Neutral Non-Neutrals: Tomato Red, Fire Engine Red, Citron (they work with everything I wear)

Off My Radar Totally - Grey, Taupe, Camel, Silver, (and 99% of solid black, although I happily wear some black in patterns)

Jewelry and accessory hardware: GOLD

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie....

I love your palette and your use of non neutrals as neutrals is inspiring. I especially love how you wear red!!

I can wear navy - I am with you that I think it is how you wear a colour rather than a total ban on a colour...combinations, neckline, grooming make such a difference.

Anonymous

Love those colors on you!
Since I'm probably dark autumn, and medium dark- low contrast, mine are quite different!
Best and most flattering- primary neutral is black, secondary burgundy. Cognac is my secondary shoe color after black and it's my "light neutral". Also very good and represented copper/rust, medium to dark browns.
Good on me but I consider it a color- olive.
Would like to add- camel. Not pants or anything bodycon of course but a coat would be nice.
In small doses- charcoal, navy (also a color), warm beige/tan.
Small part of prints or shoe bottoms only-white. Not stoked about it at all, as too high contrast.
Off my radar-cool toned lights, silver, grey except charcoal, taupe, blue (non neutral to me).
Jewelry/accessories-copper, gold, some rose gold, tortie/resin.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger. I love the dark autumn palate and the combinations here. Do you wear cream at all? I agree that camel is beautiful in a coat and I struggle with it in pants. And it is not good in body con (maybe unless you are Cindy Crawford in 1995)......

Interesting how you consider blue and olive a colour. It is all about how you treat them - there is no right and wrong.

Anonymous

Cream is just too stark on me, not much better than white. Warm beige like my puffer reads as white-ish on me, without being harsh.

Blues and olives are opposite of skin colors, so non neutrals- blue moreso than olive, since olive has brown. But things like blush, mustard can be neutrals depending on undertone.

I think of burgundy as reddish or purplish brown-and when I wear it I don't feel the need to also have black or brown like I do with blue, olive. And my hair has some red.

To boil it down I guess- neutral = near a skin or natural hair color!

SarahD8

Veteran

Best: soft white, bright navy, light to medium cool-ish grays
Decent: charcoal gray
I know it's not my best but you can pry it from my cold dead hands: black
Way worse than you would think: dark, muted navy
Bad: any shade of brown, from oatmeal through chocolate.
Exception that proves the rule: Cognac footwear (good for bookending..my skin is cool but my hair is warm)
Worst neutral in the world (for me): yellowish beige
Jewelry: anything goes

Brooklyn

Veteran

Your list seems right to me Sally.

My list is almost identical to Suntiger’s. Cognac, burgundy, tan, rust, warm brown and warm olive are my best colours but, of these, I only really think of cognac and tan as neutrals.

I don’t think there are any light neutrals that suit me. Tan would be closest. Everything light has a tendency to make me look tired and sick. I do love and wear white and ivory however. But I put it in the same category as black. It gives me joy so I’m going to wear it!

Light blues and light greys are my worst colours near my face. I would love to be able to wear those colours because they are so ubiquitous at retail and so easy to mix.

Generally I prefer darker, saturated colours near my face, which makes it hard to work in some contrast to an outfit - particularly as I prefer wearing darker colours on bottom. I wish I liked white jeans!

For jewellery I’ll wear anything.

Anonymous

I'm pretty close to you . I'm surprised where you've put navy on your list, and agree with Angie that I bet you can wear it quite well.

Warmer tones look better on me, but my hair colour at any given time can influence that . My best neutrals are olive green, navy, bronze/toffee, light blue and cream. White in summer . I really like greys, but haven't taken the time to figure out which ones are best. Some are great and others are terrible. I love black, and will always have it in my closet as a neutral, but I'm quite aware it isn't my best colour . It's much better in summer when I have more colour in my skin. Jewellery - I'm good with either but gold is more typically flattering and it's what I prefer these days.

JAileen

Veteran

Favorite colors: Light Charcoal, Heather Grey, Light Cool Olive, Light Navy, Off White

Favorite accent colors: Pale Pink, Red, Mustard

Off my radar: Black

Jewelry : Silver

I really try to stick to these colors. I do have some light blue, though.

The Cat

Veteran

I am glad to see that you have found your colours, and I very much agree that ivory, camel and toffee are among your best and most flattering neutrals.

My own colouring is very cool, and this is my list:

● Best and most flattering neutrals: white, silver grey, light grey,
clear medium grey, charcoal, deep blue.

● Fine if combined with either white, silver, grey or a flattering non-neutral: black. Near my face, I will wear solid black in small doses only.

● Okay, but not so exciting: taupe (has to be more grey than brown),
greige (has to be more grey than beige).

● Versatile non-neutrals: blush pink, burgundy, lilac, deep purple, denim blue, teal.

● Best and most flattering non-neutrals: hot/deep pinks, blue-reds, purples, clear/vibrant blues, turquoise.

● Off my radar: oatmeal, cream, beiges, gold, camel, toffee, cognac, bronze, rust, browns, olive, mustard, khakis.

● Jewelry and accessory hardware: silver, white pearls, diamanté,
transparent.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I prefer cool colors and think they look best on me, and medium contrast. I think ‘clear summer’ is the closest description of my coloring if you follow such things. So I do lots of cool gray, taupe, white and off white (just nothing too yellow), denim blue, and cool olive. Some navy and indigo and charcoal, and black too, since it’s too hard to avoid entirely, but not usually near my face. I’ve worn only silver tone jewelry since I was a kid, but I’ve picked up some rose gold in recent years. I have a few gold pieces but I’m just not drawn to them normally.

LaPed

Veteran

Ooh, fun, I'll play!

Best and most flattering- black and navy, charcoal or other marled grey/black, heather/denim blues
Also good but I hardly have any of - "bone" white, pearl grey (I just have a hard time finding light pieces that I like; somewhat easier if the light colours are small doses as part of a pattern); also chocolate/espresso browns
Accent colour or away from my face - the light colours above, plus olive
Persevering with because I do love it - warm, earthy shades like mustard and rust. I wear them more as colours than as neutrals, I think. Finding the right shade can be tricky, but when they're good, they're really good.
Off my radar totally - anything too close to my skin tone: blush, oatmeal, beige. They all look weird!
Jewelry and accessory hardware - Silver all the way. Don't really like the look of gold. I like less shiny hardware in general, love oxidized silver and matte black metal.
Best non-neutrals because I can't resist - burgundy, eggplant, sky blue, the right red, pine green

Joy

Veteran

My best neutral is a very pale almost white grey. Definitely not ivory. I also like a deep blue/navy (not at all teal), deeper clear greys, and taupe or natural linen color.
My best accent colors are coral red, orange and aqua and medium ice blue. I also like peach and cobalt, all clear colors, not muddied or heathered. I am neutral on greens but like a clear citron, mint or olive best
What is off the radar is teal, eggplant, most purples and blue-reds, purplish pinks.
I wear both gold and silver.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Best: White and Blue, but can wear black.
Worst: Olive, ivory and warm muddy colors.
I wear both gold and silver but I think silver might be better.
Interesting!

Sal

Veteran

Interesting approach Suntiger and I can see that for your complexion that blue (or even grey) could be seen as a colour. I hadn't quite thought about neutrals that way.

Sarah - you must definitely lean cool in colouring. And I think cognac and blue (or black or grey) is such a gorgeous pairing.

Brooklyn - I agree - burgundy, muted greens are among your very best. I think you wear soft whites beautifully though - your Chanel style jacket springs to mind. And I agree - wear colours that give you joy!!

Lisa - I think we have some similarities although I really like you in a light grey. I think you wear neutrals well.

JAileen - you do have a tight colour palette that works for you. I admire your clarity.

The Cat - you also seem to really know what works for you - and what does not. I love cool blues and greys and your palette is lovely.

Laura - you seem also clear on what works. I think rose gold is lovely on cool toned people that want a change from silver.

La Pedestrienne - Mustard is great with cool tones and as an accent. I think we should all wear colours that we love and find a way. Oatmeal I think is a very tricky colour for most people to wear.......

Joy - I think you are someone who can wear such a range of colours. Light greys and whites and silvers are spectacular on you as is red. I hadn't realised that you avoid teals and purples.

Sal

Veteran

Shevia - we cross posted. I also think you suit a variety of colours but agree that cooler ones are zingy on you. I think I saw chocolate brown recently that worked well? You definitely suit white, black and blue.

nuancedream

Veteran

Best: Warm browns, ivory, ecru, olive
Worst: Black (ghastly against my complexion), navy blue, pretty much all shades of grey.
Accent color: Green (not pastel or jewel tones),teal, plum, peach, tomato red, orange,and mustard.
I primarily wear yellow gold, rose gold, and copper jewelry. I must start wearing some of my silver necklaces that have gemstones with colors more complimentary to skin tone.

Synne

Veteran

Interesting round up. I find it funny that your "worst" colours are my personal favs and IMO best! Charcoal grey, taupe and oatmeal.

Sal

Veteran

Synne- that is funny! Your skin must be neutral or cool toned? I like charcoal and taupe but can’t wear them!

Nuancedream- your skin must be warm toned! And yes wear that jewelry:)

Bijou

Veteran

Because I am pale (cool toned skin) with light but warm toned hair, I wear both warm and cool tones. I have copied Angie in terms of best neutrals - but added black because I really LOVE black and given I wear red lipstick like to think it does not wash me out!

Best & Most Flattering: All shades of White, Black, Navy, Ink Blue, Ice Blue.

Accent Colours: Blush

Neutral Non-Neutrals: Red, and Leopard

Off My Radar - Beige, Mustard, Khaki - I wear earth tones sparingly. Nude colour is horrible on me - I look like a ghost.

Minaminu

Veteran

I have a pale skintone, green eyes and dark hair with some glistening whites here and there. these are my colours:

Best & Most Flattering: Cream, Navy, slate blue
Accent Colours: Burgundy, coral pink, teal
Off - Camel (I love it, but it doesn't love me back)
Jewelry and accessory hardware: Rose Gold, silver, enamel Jewellry

Runcarla

Veteran

This is a tricky question for me, since there are neutrals and colours that look good on me, but I don’t fancy or own and vice versa!

Best/most flattering: white, camel, olive, black (but I’m not actively collecting more)

Accent colours: navy, blush, pale blue

Neutral non-neutral: red, mustard/gold

Off my radar: grey, brown, wine

Metals: mixed (gold and silver)

Other: there is a ‘dirty’ lavender that works well as a neutral and suits my colouring, but is hard to source. I currently don’t have any items in this colour.

LaPed

Veteran

Runcarla, we have a lot of palette overlap, and I know exactly what you mean about "dirty" lavender and other dusty/murky pastels. I love those colors, especially as accents, but they're hard to find!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I have a confession: I'm terrible at gauging neutrals. Just awful.

I have no idea what really works on me, although I feel like I can pull off black and have a terrible time with gray.

nemosmom

Veteran

You look so great in toffee and camel, Sal! I bet a light pearly grey is stunning, too.

My coloring is SO tricky. I suspect I may have olive undertones... Some colors I LOVE look horrible on me (a perfect shade/tone of red is super tricky), and anything in a light color near my face makes me look sick, regardless of the undertone of the piece (any shade of white, pale yellow, blush pink). Some colors, like mallard and apple green, I treat as a neutral. Honestly, I've never met a green I didn't like...

Best and most flattering- cognac/rust, mallard green, olive
Also good but I hardly have any of - saturated camel, mustard, chocolate brown
Accent colour or away from my face - washed-out black/slate grey, blush
Persevering with because I do love it - navy. I have such a love/hate relationship with navy...
Off my radar totally - whites, burgundy/plum, taupe, light grey
Jewelry and accessory hardware - I wear gold and silver equally well.

Style Fan

Veteran

Great colour discussion. I am a Warm Autumn. I tend to look better in rich, warm, earthy colours.

Best neutrals
Olive green, chocolate brown, cognac or toffee

Best accent
Burnt orange

Stay away from
Pastels, grey

Jewellery
Gold but I wear silver too.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

It’s so interesting to see the range of responses. One thing I love about YLF is getting to see how colors that I don’t wear well look sooo good on others.
I am low contrast with warm hair and cool skin, I feel best in neutrals.
Best neutrals: navy, light blue, white, taupe and camel
Accent color: mustard, other shades of blue
Other neutrals: olives and light grays
Avoid: ivory, brown, and most of the time, black.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sal, you look amazing in those toffee tones and caramel. But I'll bet the *right* navy would also work. It's just that it might not feel like a neutral in your closet.

Mine will hardly surprise anyone.

Best and most flattering: Light cool grey, charcoal, bright navy, ink blue, denim blue, white, fire engine red.

Also good but don't have at the moment: Cool Chocolate, taupe.

Away from my Face: Mustard and cognac. Both look awful on me, but I love them and they make a great contrast with my cool neutrals. Mostly used as footwear and accessories.

Accent: Black. I do in fact wear it near my face sometimes but mostly in summer with a tan. Or with blue and/or white. And for me it is less a "neutral" than an accent. I also have black footwear.

Off my radar: Tan, Toffee, any kind of beige, most olives, rust—anything warm.

Jewellery: Silver.

12