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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