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Don't be a fashion coward — wear yellow |
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Written by Samantha Thompson Smith, McClatchy-Tribune
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Wednesday, 04 April 2007 |
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Of the hottest colors for spring — black, navy, red, yellow and white — it's yellow that has us stumped.
It's bright and cheery, sure. But it's one of the most intimidating colors to wear.
Who wears yellow well?
Turns out, everyone can. You just have to figure out what shade.
"I think yellow has suffered through urban legend," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the color-forecasting group Pantone Color Institute. "There are so many shades of yellow. To generically say that you can't wear yellow, you haven't experimented with it enough."
The rules are hard to pin down. The shade you pick has to flatter your skin tone as well as your eye and hair color. School bus yellow might not be for blondes. But cornsilk yellow is. Honey gold is better for redheads, but likely not for someone with ivory skin. Chardonnay does better on those with silver hair, but it might wash out a caramel brunette.
For the most part, brunettes have an easier time than blondes wearing shades of yellow. But Eiseman says that blondes are natural yellow-wearers, too. They just need to pick a tone that matches one shade of yellow in their hair.
Likely the best wearers of yellow are people with blue eyes, specifically purple-blue or blue-gray eyes.
"It's the must-have color for those people," said Kate Leser, owner of A Distinctive Image, an image and wardrobe consulting company in Raleigh. "It enlivens and accentuates their eyes."
Leser said a good way to figure out what shade of yellow works best on you is to look at a black-and-white photo of yourself. If you have a lot of contrast in your skin, hair and eyes, you can wear a stronger shade of yellow. If not, stick with softer yellows.
"Really what you are doing is creating a balance," she said.
Don't want to experiment? You're not alone.
"I always feel like I'm washed-out in yellow," said Dana King, a 28-year-old summery blonde from Raleigh. "It's not a color I naturally gravitate to."
Because of this yellow fear, many stores have invested in yellow accessories rather than clothing as a way for shoppers to get in on the trend.
"A lot of people have trouble wearing yellow against their face," said Annie Godwin, a buyer for Fleur at Cameron Village in Raleigh. "It has to be the right shade of yellow."
But yellow shoes? "It goes with almost everything," she said. Patent leather yellow pumps can add pop to blue and white or black and white graphic print dress. A pair of strappy yellow sandals can bring energy to a green dress. And pale yellow ballerina flats can liven up a pair of skinny jeans with a white T-shirt.
Still scared? Try other yellow accessories. J. Crew has yellow striped headbands. Target had several yellow totes. Even Wal-Mart is hip to yellow, carrying clutches and handbags in various shades.
Yellow is appropriate for day or evening wear. It's even OK in the office.
"There's no reason why people can't wear yellow shoes with a black suit," said Laura McDowell, a fashion spokeswoman at T.J. Maxx.
Or go a step further, pairing a light yellow blouse with a gray suit — a look that can make you appear more intelligent, Leser said.
But if you want to send a more energetic message, wear yellow with navy or red, Leser said.
Designer Sigrid Olsen said her favorite way to wear yellow is with white, pairing a yellow jacket or blouse with white pants or skirt.
Men shouldn't shy away from yellow either, Leser said. In a less formal setting, a yellow tie or a yellow dress shirt is an easy way to maintain professionalism without a suit jacket.
"Clear, muted, bright or soft — yellow is a lively, eye-catching color and should be worn, if only in small accents, by everyone," Leser said.
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THE LOWDOWN ON YELLOW
• Yellin' for yellow?
Here's what Leatrice Eiseman's book "More Alive with Color" says about you.
"Yellow people are highly original, innovative, imaginative, idealistic, creative, artistic and often spiritual. You love novelty and challenge and have an inquiring mind. You are a reliable friend and confidant. You are optimistic and encourage others to do their best, so your friends love your 'up' attitude. Your ambitions are often realized, and you usually have a sunny disposition, which makes you a fun 'playmate.'"
However, "You are often egotistical and don't like to be second best. You can be generous, but you may be rather shy and appear somewhat aloof as a result. You may be impatient with other people's ideas if they seem less well thought out than yours. Yellow people are perfectionists, but they can also be joyful."
• Yellow-bellied?
"You are a realist — a practical, down-to-earth person and probably critical of others who are not. You are skeptical of new ideas, and rather than try something innovative, you prefer to concentrate on things you know you can accomplish. Guaranteed results are important to you, because you like to protect yourself from disappointment." | Only registered users can write comments.
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