Incorporating Colors, Part 1: Neutrals + Pop of Color

How to Wear Colors: Neutrals + Pop of Color

How to Wear Colors: Neutrals + Pop of Color

Springtime means BRING ON THE COLORS!  If colors scare you, don’t worry. Gotcha covered!  Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share 3 FOOL PROOF ways to add color to outfits.  You won’t have to know anything about color theory or which colors go together.  This is like How to Add Color 101, where I’m breaking it down with the easiest, most fool proof style formulas!

For Part 1, let’s start with this formula: neutrals + pop of color.  Wear an outfit full of all neutrals, then add ONE color somewhere to make it pop.  This could be on a small scale, like colored shoes, earrings, a necklace, or a belt.  Or it could be one piece of colorful clothing, like a colorful skirt, cardigan, or top.  Let’s see examples below!

 

business casual outfit + black polka dot dress + black blazer + red flats + grey tote business casual outfit + wooden watch + black blazer + black polka dot dress + red flats business casual outfit + red flats + grey tote + black polka dot wrap dress

Outfit #1
I recently showed this outfit in the post Three Go-To Business Casual Outfit Formulas, and I’m showing it again here because it’s a great example of our neutrals + pop of color formula.

One of my favorite ways to add a pop of color to my outfits is with colored shoes!  You could totally wear this outfit with black shoes, but why do that when you can make it POP with fun red flats? ? Seriously, colored shoes–one of my favorite accessories in the spring!

You all know I’ve been loving these flats from Amazon.  I wear my yellow ones the most, which should be no shock to any of you given how much I love wearing yellow.  😀  But a red pair is super versatile too, and you can see some other ways I’ve worn red flats over the years HERE.

BTW, this dress is that super comfy one I talked about in my recent Reviews Under $30 post.  Soft and stretchy “pajama dress” (as I like to call them), that is also breastfeeding friendly with its cross-front!

Shop the Outfit
Dress: Target (exact-wearing size S)
Blazer: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Amazon (exact-wearing size 9)
Tote: Sole Society (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact)

 

business casual outfit + white polka dot shirt + green sweater + black ankle pants + nude pumps + cognac tote business casual outfit + black ankle pants + cognac tote + white polka dot shirt + green sweater business casual outfit + white polka dot shirt, + green cardigan + black ankle pants + cognac tote

Outfit #2
Here’s a second example of neutrals + a pop of color.  Black pants, white and black polka dot top, and a fun colored cardigan!  This works with ANY color cardigan.  You could go with yellow, pink, bright red, aqua, cobalt blue, magenta–seriously anything.  Like I said, this formula for adding colors is FOOL PROOF, friends!

This cardigan comes in a billion colors, and it’s super soft with stretch and retains shape very, very well.  I have it in way too many colors that I can’t even keep track anymore!  Find them HERE.  I wear size M.

Shop the Outfit
Top: Loft (exact-wearing size XS, similar, similar)
Cardigan: Modcloth (exact-wearing size M)
Pants: Old Navy (exact-wearing size 4)
Shoes: Target (similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact)

 

business casual outfit + white polka dot shirt + tan skirt + green cardigan + grey tote business casual outfit + green cardigan + white blouse + tan skirt + nude pumps business casual outfit + green cardigan + white blouse + grey tote + statement earrings + nude pumps

Outfit #2b
Here’s another take on the previous outfit, changing black pants for a different neutral bottom, a tan skirt.  I wanted to show you that the formula still works with any kind of neutral.  Easy, right?

Shop the Outfit
Top: Loft (exact-wearing size XS, similar, similar)
Cardigan: Modcloth (exact-wearing size M)
Skirt: Nordstrom (similar, similar in black)
Shoes: Target (similar)
Tote: Sole Society (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact)

Mustard Yellow Jeans + Striped Tee + Denim Jacket

Outfit #3
Lastly, I wanted to make sure I showed you a casual example.  Black and white striped tee, denim jacket, tan wedges–all neutrals–plus one big pop of color with mustard yellow jeans.  YESSSSSS!  (I reviewed the jeans in my Reviews Under $30 post also with detailed info on sizing.)

This works with any colored jeans, like olive, maroon, cobalt blue, white, black, or red.  It also works with any colored skirt.  Such an easy outfit formula!

Shop for the Look:
Tee: H&M (similar, similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size M)
Jeans: Target (exact–wearing size 4)
Wedges: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 9)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact–wearing size M)

 

See?  This formula of neutrals + a pop of color is fool proof!  Either start with your outfit of all neutrals and find one place to add a pop of color.  Or, go backwards and start with one colorful piece and just make sure you choose neutrals for the rest of your pieces.  Such an easy way to add color to your outfits spring!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of How to Add Colors!

 

Join the PMT Spring 2019 Challenge!

Pssst, remember the PMT Spring 2019 Challenge starts on Monday, April 1st!  If you’ve been thinking of joining, sign up soon!  Read all about it and see the capsule wardrobe we’ll be using for it HERE.Spring Outfits - Spring Capsule Wardrobe


 

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