July 19, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: The Case For Yellow


Almost every personal shopping client I've had says the same thing to me: "I don't do yellow." This of course means that I will have them wearing yellow in one form or another by the end of the appointment. :-) It can be tricky for some skin tones, but please don't count this color out completely. Some tips:

- Think of yellow as a close cousin of brown (it's less ominous that way). My shoes are yellow in this picture, for example, but they don't look that different from my brown belt.  
- Wear it away from your face. A yellow belt, shoes, or bottom - all way easier to pull off than a yellow top and I would recommend those pieces to anyone no matter your skin tone.
- Want to take the plunge with a yellow top? Not all shades are created equal. Different yellows work for different skin tones, so try a few on and find one that works for you. Yellows that are mustard and therefore closer to brown are usually the safest bet.
- Yellow is one of my favorite colors because it goes with everything. It is the ultimate pop of color in an outfit and will liven up your closet. 

Do you wear yellow? Why or why not? 

Inspiration: Drowning Equilibriums
Shirt: H&M, $18 (similar, similarsimilar)
Skirt: J.Crew, $45 click "Petite" to shop sunflower color
Belt: Gap, $10
Necklace: H&M, $18 (similar)
Shoes: Bandolino/TJ Maxx, $22
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Ring: My Stella & Dot website $49
Bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $32 and $59

1. J.Crew skirt, $69.50 click "Petite" to shop this color
2. Piperlime skirt, $29.99
3. Calvin Klein skirt, $49.99

61 comments:

  1. I definitely wear yellow, mainly in tops, and in the bright, sunny shade, but can understand why people shy away from it.

    I think the suggestions you've posted are great and encouraging!

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  2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE yellow!! I just wore the brightest shirt imaginable on my page yesterday!! Its my fav too!!

    Oliviamoone.blogspot.com

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  3. Loving yellow this season, and wear it often. This outfit is gorgeous!

    Maja - clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca

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  4. pretty little thingsJuly 19, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    haha I think I've actually said myself that I don't do yellow too! This looks great on you though - I would wear this one to work!

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

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  5. love the yellow skirt - looks great with the stripes!

    *sarahsavvystyle.com

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  6. I tend to only wear yellow during summer, but this mustard shade looks like it would be good for fall, too. I used to stay away from yellow entirely because I didn't like to wear bright colors, but I've been trying to integrate more of them into my wardrobe. I do so mostly with shirts, but I'd really like to find a pair of inexpensive yellow shoes.

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  7. So happy you posted on yellow! I just purchased a pair of yellow denim shorts and I was starting to have buyer's remorse. I'm newly inspired to venture out and give them a shot!

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  8. I love yellow too!  I think the tip of wearing it away from your face is a great one, and mixing it with other colors or prints is another way to include it in an outfit without it being overpowering.  Great suggestions!

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  9. I don't get the fear of yellow. I wear it all the time! In shirts, cardigans, dresses, skirts, and even shoes! It is actually one of my favorite colors to wear! Looks great on you too =) 

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  10. I love these pencil skirts.  I think they are flattering on everyone.  Adding it in a bright color with a neutral top is perfect.

    http://fashionablyfitgirl.blogspot.com/

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  11. I totally agree with you girl! I used to loatheee yellow and now, I found my shade and I've been wearing it all summer! I have a slightly yellowish skin tone so mustards look horrible and dull on me, but I cannot stop wearing bright, sunshine yellows! This is a huge step for a girl who wears neutrals 99.9% of the time. Thanks for helping me out of my comfort zone!

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  12. I would have never thought to buy yellow in the past, until I started reading your blog and noticing how you are pairing it.  I took the plunge and bought a yellow skirt from Banana Republic, and now I feel so cheerful when I wear it.  Thanks for the inspiration!  

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  13. LOVE this post, J. i LOVE yellow! for real. i used to hate the color but it honestly is a color that makes me feel so FUN! 

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  14. Amy @ Leopard and Lillies.comJuly 19, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Love the outfit!  I do agree wearing yellow can be hard, so thanks for sharing such great tips!

    Amy









      Leopard and Lillies

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  15. When I was little, I had a yellow room and I cried every day b/c I hated it so much. Now it's one of my favorite colors and I can't seem to get enough. It's so sunny and fun...it just makes you happy! 

    Great tips for those scared of wearing it, though. I hope you continue to inspire people to try it out. The world would be a sunnier place if everyone wore yellow! 

    jill
    www.classywithakick.com

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  16. Great tips! I usually like bright yellow, but want to try mustard for fall. Can I also just say that I think your re-creation is much better than the inspiration photo?? Yup, you're a rockstar. 

    Lindsay @LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com

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  17. I love this combo, never thought to put stripes, yellow, and turquoise together.  I love reading your blog and getting ideas on how to put outfits together.  Also, I like how you use items on your blog from affordable places.  I recently launched my own blog, www.glambrownie.com, and would love it if you check it out.  Keep up the great work!!

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  18. Groopdealz.com has those bib necklaces for $19.99.  

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  19. I love the yellow pencil skirt and striped.  And your tip on wearing yellow away from your face is very helpful!  I love the color yellow, but feel that I can't always wear it since I have a lighter skin tone.  

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  20. I LOOOOOOOOVE yellow.  Maybe almost a little obsessed.  But a year ago before I started style blogging and trying new things I was one of those people who said "I don't do yellow."  I wholeheartedly agree with all of your tips!  And I love your outfit!

    Audrey
    www.puttingmetogether.com

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  21. I am wearing bright yellow sundress to a wedding this weekend! So glad to see your post. Now, what color shoes to wear with it?

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  22. Thank you for creating this outfit. I just purchased this skirt and did not know how I would style it and now you just gave me inspiration!

    Crystal 

    http://mai-heart.blogspot.com/

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  23. So glad you made this post. I can't tell you how many people I've argued with who say yellow doesn't work on their skin tone. There's billions of shades out there which means there's a shade for everyone. 

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  24. Love...that's all I have to say! I've been wanting this skirt, but my size is gone.

    www.everydaywitharedhead.blogspot.com

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  25. Yellow is in my top 3 favorite colors!  I can't believe so many people tell you they don't do yellow! 

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  26. Yesterday I bought the sunflower JCrew skirt so your timing is perfect.  Thanks!

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  27. This is such a pretty look! Love that necklace!
    -Adriana
    Little Petite

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  28. Pretty! Love the yellow skirt!!!!!

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  29. Tried to find that necklace at H&M and it was gone. :(

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  30. I adore yellow! It is such a happy color!
    work-it-blog.blogspot.com

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  31. So loving the yellow!  Check out the yellow mustard cropped pants at Banana Republic.  Really cute!
    xo,
    Shadow

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  32. Love your version ;) That's so funny, I just bought this skirt at J.Crew today, except it was a clearance store (outlet) and was only $30. Woo hoo! If any of you girlies live in VA, check out the Lynchburg clearance stores! I also have this necklace & a striped shirt, can't wait to try it out together!

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  33. I absolutely love yellow - and cannot get enough of it...I can't imagine people saying that they wouldn't try it!

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  34. I love this outfit and especially the comfy but classy top! I noticed you don't have a link for it :o( but could you tell me where you got it and the brand? Thanks for all your fashion help!

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  35. Kelsie @ My Beautiful LifeJuly 19, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    I'm the girl who says I can't pull of yellow. Even though I am ALWAYS drawn toward it I am waiting for my magical shade of yellow that works with my skin tone. I am olive toned with dark brown hair and eyes, any suggestions?

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  36. Jessica Carlton BrownJuly 19, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    You look good in everything 'cause you're so tan!  I'm cursed with paaaaaaaaaale skin - I wish I could pull off all your outfits!

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  37. Yellow is such a great color on you! The combo is super cute, loved that you went for turquoise necklace!

    Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

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  38. I used to do 0 yellow because I was blond. I do like the idea of a yellow skirt (which unfortunately I can't wear to work). Its just so sunny and fun! I really like your outfit except the shoes :(  I think a more neutral shoe would let the skirt really shine!

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  39. I don't do yellow because I hate yellow. Not just on clothing. I hate the color yellow. Oh, and orange too. They are just ugly colors :(

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  40. Love it! Mustard and stripes is one of my favorite combinations.That's a great shirt, too! I'm blond, and I wear yellow all the time! I think that it works with pink skin tones just as well as it does with tan skin. The pop of turquoise in the necklace goes well, too! I wonder how the outfit would look without the belt, though...

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  41. As a fair-skinned blonde, yellows tend to be tricky; but I've found shades I love and ways to wear them. Chamois, pale clear yellow, and colors in the caramel family I can do. Too bright or too mustard and I look literally sick. I especially love to wear this sunny shade on a dreary day.

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  42. I am in LOVE with anything mustardy yellow. I would absolutely love a pair of mustard pumps (love your's..) or a pencil skirt-- however, I'm a poor college student at a private university that sucks away all my money! I'm always on the lookout for sales, though. I always appreciate your site for inspiration, and so jealous of some of the steals you find!

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  43. It makes my skin look yellow. There are some shades that don't look quite as ghastly, but mustard is awful on me. I need a super pale sunny shade of yellow. Which is uncertainly hard to find. But I don't care for yellow too much, to get bent out of shape about it. :) lol

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  44. I used to avoid yellow as much as I could. 3/4 of the year my skin is pasty white, and I'm convinced that yellow works best with tan and dark complexions. My advice: hide solid yellow tops under cardigans or statement jewelry, or just let your bottom be the piece of interest. (Your post inspired me to wear yellow today, and I paired my tee with a pleated coral skirt and bold statement necklace). Ultimately, I think it's a question of confidence and letting the rest of the outfit do the work. 


    http://thephilosophicalfashionista.blogspot.com

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  45. I like wearing yellow because it makes me feel great and it brings out warmth in my skin. I've never tried yellow bottoms though, so I'll put that on my list (along with red).

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  46. I love yellow! My colors for my new years eve wedding were yellow and gray, however I did not force my blond pale bridesmaids to wear yellow dresses :) just pops of yellow. I just bought some yellow (not the super bright neon ones I've seen, just normal yellow) skinnys and I'm so excited to wear them. Ive so far just worn gray and white tops, hoping to get a little further out of my box with some bolder colors.

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  47. I am fair-skinned with dark hair and blue eyes, and I am all about PALE yellow. Mustards or anything neon-ish don't work for me. I agree with you, J- there is a yellow out there for everyone!

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  48. Love your outfit!

    http://hotcinnamon.blogspot.com.es/

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  49. I adore yellow. Probably 70% of my wardrobe contains all of the different shades of yellow. I love it and wear the color almost daily.

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  50. I just love all your fashion help and man alive do I need it! I see that you didn't post a link to the super comfy classy shirt you are wearing and am wondering if you could just tell me the brand and/or where you found it? Thanks bunches!

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  51. I LOVE yellow. My favorite color. I wore a yellow cardi at my wedding. Love this.

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  52. Thank you Lisa! The shirt is H&M. I list 3 similar options because unfortunately H&M doesn't offer online shopping in the U.S.

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  53. I don't wear yellow anything. My skin tone is such that yellow, lime green, orange etc tend to make me look like I may vomit at any time. I would love to wear yellow with more brown tones, but my girls say NO! IT! IS! NOT! YOU! Sometimes I think that I need to ignore my girls but they may be right..

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  54. I was always told that yellow wasn't a good color for blondes. I will have to try some different shades of yellow on now and see if it can work.

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  55. I love yellow and gold together. I love the way it brings out my carmel skin! 

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  56. Yellow and I are good friends. Yellow clothes, decorations, art; it's all good! I'm pretty pale and to be honest I'm not sure it's always the best choice for my skin tone. But it's a color that makes me happy, so screw it! :) Glad to see fellow fan!

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  57. I started wearing yellow for the first time last summer (and it was on top) because my husband told I looked beautiful in that color.Maybe he's too deeply inlove with me...LOL

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  58. Hi J!
    You are such an inspiration--I used to have such awful style, I still have those moments but I'm working on it! Haha, I LOVE mustard yellow but I'm soooooo pale with tiny freckles! Can mustard yellow look good on me-even if I wear it as a skirt or pumps?

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  59. Alex, I definitely think so! I think a skirt would be the easiest to pull off - and try playing around with different shades of mustard to find one that works best for you!

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