Why Neutrals Are So Important in Your Wardrobe
I love neutrals. Natural tones. Greyed-down tones. Combining colors with low contrast to one another. What do I consider to be neutrals? Black, white, grey, cream, brown, and even into navy, olive and blush pink.
I can appreciate color on other people, and once in a blue moon you’ll see me in something COLORFUL…and I enjoy it. For the day. But not as the mainstay of my style diet.
And I know neutrals are not for everyone (Jodi!), but they do make a good base for any wardrobe.
Why?
Neutrals Mix and Match Easily
Just by their very nature, neutrals play well with one another. Combining lighter and darker tones of the same neutral color creates a pleasing monochromatic outfit. They also pair well with non-neutrals. Red, neon yellow, kelly green, purple, royal blue! Any of the more “poppy” colors can be balanced out or toned down with a neutral against it.
Neutrals are timeless
Neutral colors never go out of style. Add them to your wardrobe and you’ll be able to wear them for a long time.
Neutrals are soothing
Colors create emotional reactions. Neutrals tend to have a calming effect and in this chaotic world we live in, who doesn’t like a little bit of calm?
Neutrals blend in
Neutrals don’t scream HEY! YOU! LOOK AT ME! They don’t draw attention to themselves in the same way that, say, hot pink does. They blend, they get along, they don’t make any trouble.
Neutrals are Invisible
In a good way! Like my black Asos dress. They’re there. They’re doing their job, supporting the rest of your outfit. But they’re not so memorable that if you wear the same grey cardigan to work three days in a week, anyone would notice. SO, you can wear your grey cardigan to work three days in a row! Neutrals allow you to have fewer items in your wardrobe and still be able to come up with a wide variety of outfits.
And for me, I just LIKE them. They feel gentle to me. I don’t like to stand out, necessarily. I like some attention, but not to be The Center of the Three Ring Circus.
With a wardrobe built mostly on neutrals, I can add the occasional pop of color or pattern and the neutral will do its job of holding everything together.
I love the blend of neutrals in today’s outfit – black, white and taupe. If I wanted a little pop of color I might add a red or pink bag or shoe or scarf. And over the very neutral base of black jeans and white top, I can add any color cardigan, blazer or jacket.
These are new/old black jeans. I got them from Charlotte Russe almost five years ago at the same time I got my lightwash cropped skinny jeans you’ve seen a gazillion times. But black denim is a very different animal than indigo…and I could not get these on to save my life (and I’d waited too long to try them so the return window had passed). So they’re old…but I’ve never been able to get into them before – still had the tags on and everything. But here they are. On. Bam.
The taupe cardigan is Old Navy from last fall. I wish I’d gotten a 1x instead of 2x. The Old Navy cardigans tend to run a little large, I find. I can barely reach my hands into the pockets! But I so love this color.
The white blouse is the linen blouse I got at the beginning of the summer to wear open with dresses as an overpiece. And while linen seems like a summer fabric, it’s perfect for me at this time of year, under a cardigan.
The taupe loafers are new from the summer. I’ve been trying to get a couple pairs of shoes to wear with jeans through the winter so I’m not in sneakers every day. These are super comfortable.
How do you feel about neutrals? Do you find them boring…or versatile?
What I’m Wearing
- Charlotte Russe Refuge Black Skinny Jeans, size 24, short. No longer available. Comparable here and here.
- Old Navy Taupe Cardigan, size 2x. No longer available, comparable here and here.
- J Jill White Linen Blouse, size 4x. Available here in plus, petite, tall and straight sizes.
- Me Too Cambrie Flat Taupe Loafers
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Deborah Stinedurf
I love color, but I love neutrals just as much. I think my closet is probably a balance of the two. The cardigan is fabulous…taupe is one of those neutrals I’m drawn too much like gray. This is such a simple yet super chic look my friend! xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
bettyewp
Thanks, Debbie! I would LOVE to see the inside of your closet sometime!
TL
Your outfit is very classy and those black jeans suit you well. I agree neutral colors. My main color is black so I use bright colors in my accessories.
bettyewp
Thank you, TL. Yeah, I need to get some accessories to give a little oomph to some outfits if I’m in the mood!
Nancy
I do love neutrals, but darker colors suit me better. But On others I think they look great! Happy weekend!
bettyewp
Happy Weekend to you, too, Nancy! Hope you’re doing something fun!
Lise
Well-written post, you certainly make a good case for neutrals 🙂
I look better in colour but have been drawn to neutrals in recent years.
bettyewp
I’m sure there are others who can make just as good a case for bold colors! It’s nice that we can all choose how we want to present ourselves to the world!
Cheryl
I loved reading your post today, you have described exactly how I feel about use of neutrals and colour. I wear mainly neutrals with a little added colour sometimes.
Cheers,
Cheryl
bettyewp
Thanks, Cheryl! I wonder what it is about us (global US, not “you and me”) that makes us like one sort of color and not another. Is it our upbringing? Is it hereditary? I sort of feel like my whole family is “neutral-y.”
Iris
Just not a neutral’s kinda girl here. I love color – have always loved color. My mother always tried to tone me down.
My daughter is a neutral girl. I recently asked what her favorite color was and her answer: “beige and black”. Those aren’t colors!!
Do love your sweater – and of course you’re right, neutrals go with many more things. It’s just that…..
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
We all make the world go round!
jodie filogomo
Wow…so I have a reputation, huh?? LOL!
But you’re totally right. I really do love combining my neutrals every once in awhile. Probably about as often as you wear brights…ha ha!!
XOXO
Jodie