How to Introduce Color Into Your Wardrobe
I often get questions about color combinations in outfits. Many people stick to neutral clothes because they’re unsure which colors work together and are afraid of making mistakes, so they’d rather play it safe. There’s a fine line between adding some color to your outfit - to bring it to life and show more of your personality, and dressing in bold colors just to get attention. Here, I want to point out that different rules apply to colors in tailoring compared to casual clothing. This article is about the latter.
Colors fuel my soul. To me, the world feels empty and much more sad in winter but so much happier when nature starts coming back to life in spring. A world without color would be a very sad place. But no matter how much I love colors, when it comes to dressing, certain rules apply, and less is always more. You don’t have to stick to safe, boring combinations just because you’re afraid of breaking the rules or unsure which colors work together. In this article, I’ll explain how to introduce bold colors into your wardrobe and share my personal rules for using color in dressing.
Why Navy and Olive Work as Neutral Colors in Clothing
Navy and olive are considered neutral colors in clothing because they pair easily with almost any other color, just like black, white, gray, and beige. But why are they considered neutral in clothing but not in color theory? True neutrals - like black, white, gray, and brown—are created by mixing multiple colors or adjusting lightness and darkness, which is why you won’t find them on the color wheel. In clothing, navy and olive act as neutrals because they are muted, desaturated versions of blue and green. Their toned-down appearance makes them versatile base colors that don’t overpower an outfit, allowing them to function like neutrals in a wardrobe.
Olive Jacket with Chambray Shirt
Neutral Outer Layers and Trousers Are Wardrobe Essentials
I think there are so many other ways to add color to your outfit that trousers should be the last piece you focus on. Trousers also cover more than half of your body, so if you don’t want to stand out too much, keep it simple. Similar to trousers, jackets cover half or more of your body, so keep it neutral if you don’t want to stand out too much. But don’t forget that with jackets, there are plenty of beautiful, timeless patterns in neutral colors. I should also add that in winter, when most people tend to dress even darker than usual, I love using bolder colors for down jackets or vests—red, orange, yellow, or even light blue, green, or teal. I think they add life to your casual outfit.
Colorful vs neutral jacket
Why the Middle Layer Is the Perfect Place for Color
If you keep your outer layer and trousers in neutral colors, the middle layer is where you can experiment. If you want to try more colors but stay on the safer side, instead of choosing bold colors, you should start with washed-down colors. I personally prefer warm colors, so I would start with yellow, orange, and red. But if you like cool tones, blue, green, and purple work as well.
Middle Layer in bold color - Yellow Sweater
Make Your Outfit Pop with Accessories
If you’re just starting to introduce color into your wardrobe, I suggest beginning with accessories, as they’re typically the smallest visual element of your outfit. Start with socks, scarves, bandanas, or hats. I often wear clothes in neutral colors and then add life to my outfits with bold-colored socks. Many people might not agree with this, but it’s fun, and I think it really works well, especially with white trousers or indigo jeans, because it creates a strong contrast.
Creating contrast with colorful socks
Another great option I often use is a scarf or bandana in a brighter color. This will draw more attention to your face, so if you want to avoid that, socks are a better choice. A colorful hat is another option. This is a great way to make the whole look feel more relaxed. Today, we see many guys wearing tailoring with a bold hat, which makes the whole look less serious and more playful, making the suit look a lot more casual. This might not be your style, but keep in mind that a bold hat will make the outfit more casual and you’ll seem more approachable.
Do you often wear color or find it difficult to style?
related articles
