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The Easiest Way to Make Your Neutral Outfits Stand Out
Electrify your neutrals with a snap, crackle, pop of color.
If you were to rummage through my armoire, which contains ~95% of my clothes, “neutrals enthusiast” is a phrase that might come to mind (along with “pleated pants fanatic“ and, “Own enough Paige tanks?!”). Living in NYC, I have to be fairly selective about what comes into my home—a small one-bedroom apartment I like to complain about but love dearly—and neutral pieces are the not-so-secret sauce. It might sound obvious, but their versatility allows for countless pairing options, meaning I can maintain a spatially (and financially) efficient closet.
But practical constraints aside, I’m pretty confident my wardrobe approach wouldn’t waver under different circumstances—because neutrals are not only unbeatably versatile but also timelessly chic. (Okay, I’d definitely spring for a coat from The Row if I won the lottery.)
Frankly, there’s no chance I’ll stop favoring neutrals in this lifetime, but recently, I’ve been making an effort to welcome a tad more color into my wardrobe by adding a pop to otherwise-neutral looks. Inspired by our style roadmap for 2024, I’m treating tonal outfits as my bread & butter and vibrant colors as a supplementary dose of vitamin D. Sartorially speaking, there’s just nothing like a leafy green or a transportive blue when you need a little mood-boost on a gloomy Monday morning—“serotonin dressing,” as the Internet likes to call it.
For those of you who have been feeling like your own wardrobe is a bit deficient in the color department, I encourage you to join me in my efforts to add a dash here and a splash there. Below, see six of my favorite mostly neutral outfits of the moment—featuring the boldest colors from our most recent collections.
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A Shock of Shamrock
While an all-black ensemble ensures you look chic, adding a Kelly green blazer makes you stand out. Our brand-new shamrock-colored Kenny blazer features our signature super-smooth Italian ponte fabric and classic lapels—adding an element of sharpness to your floaty Antonia top and the wide-leg Milo jeans.
A Touch of Cardinal
Camel is far and away my favorite cold-weather neutral—visually warm and more nuanced than black. My natural inclination is to pair camel pieces like my beloved Horton pants with other neutral items, but as of late, I’ve been playing around with more unexpected options, like cardinal. Combined with the turtleneck silhouette of the Jett tank, this gorgeous shade of crimson adds drama to your look and ties back to our windowpane plaid for an unexpected suiting look.
A Taste of Caramel
Not quite ready for fire-engine red? Consider complementing shades of camel and tan with colors that are close cousins but much more unique, like our eye-catching caramel hue. With its burnt orange shade, deep scoop neck, and intricate cable knit, the Rae top simultaneously stands out and fits right in with the chai Jennimai jardigan and black Hockley jeans. For extra dimension, add pearl earrings and snakeskin-embossed flats.
A Garnish of Basil
The scent of garden-grown basil might be months away, but in the meantime, you can get in touch with your green thumb by way of pieces like the Giulia top. This basil-colored, mock-neck style is made from our signature 365Knit, which has a sleek, substantial handfeel that layers well under jackets like the Nicky. To brighten up your earthy top half, complete the look with an ivory pant like the straight-leg Daria jean.
A Splash of Sapphire
My favorite color has always been blue, and our sapphire shade is nothing short of mesmerizing. I’m so thankful we made our washable-silk Smith pants in this shade, because a fun trouser is one of my favorite ways to make a statement. To let your fancy pants shine (quite literally), pair them with the ivory Larissa sweater and the rosy taupe Irene slingbacks.
A Pop of Carnation
Released less than two weeks ago, our carnation hue immediately sparked chatter in our customer Slack community—and for good reason. This saturated shade of rose looks stunning on everyone and adds that perfect pop of color to all your Power Casual outfits. For a slightly unexpected combination, wear your Anh jardigan with the navy Harlem skirt, along with the ivory Axam turtleneck and warm accessories like the cognac Rowan flats and gold earrings.
