Tips for Wearing Neutrals When You’re Over 50

What colors are considered neutrals?
Neutral colors go beyond just black and white. Think of shades that blend easily with other colors, like beige, taupe, ivory, gray, navy, brown, and olive. These tones don’t compete with other colors and work with almost any outfit combination. Navy, for instance, is a fantastic neutral that feels softer than black but just as versatile. And don’t forget camel and cream for an easy touch of elegance that works year-round.

Tips for Wearing Neutrals When You’re Over 50

Which colors look best with warm and cool complexions?
If you have a warm complexion, earth tones like camel, olive, warm reds, and chocolate brown can bring out the natural warmth in your skin. For cool complexions, you’ll want shades with blue or gray undertones, like icy pastels, slate gray, and even a classic navy or cool beige. If you’re unsure, take a look at your veins—greenish veins usually mean warmer tones look best, while bluish veins mean you’re more suited to cool tones.

Mix Textures to Avoid a ‘Blah’ Moment

When you’re wearing neutrals, mixing textures can keep your outfit from looking flat or, dare I say, boring. Pair a soft, cozy cashmere sweater with tailored tweed pants, or layer a leather jacket over a knit top. The contrast keeps your outfit looking fresh, so you stand out without a single loud color in sight.

I bought this Cabled Button-Front Cardi over the weekend, and I love it! The color is a blend of oatmeal and light gray which looks great with the Corduroy Boot-Cut Jeans. The buttons are oversized and a nice detail, but it is the textured cable knit design that is the star. The cardigan is slightly oversized, but I’m wearing my usual medium size, and it fits me perfectly.

I think a cable-knit sweater is the epitome of quiet luxury. It just brings to mind a group of Kennedys sitting on a weathered deck in Hyannis Port, sipping coffee and talking about sailing. I recently bought a similar turtleneck sweater that is cropped and looks great with high-waist pants.

Prioritize Fit and Structure

Neutrals work best when they fit well and have a bit of structure. A tailored blazer, well-fitted jeans, or a nice trench can instantly elevate your look. Forget the idea that aging means hiding behind loose fabrics—choose pieces that flatter your shape and make you feel polished. After all, the goal is to feel seen and fabulous, not hidden away!

Accessorize to Let Your Personality Shine

Think of neutral outfits as the perfect blank canvas for accessories. Add some personality with a chic handbag, a bold pair of earrings, or leopard-print flats. It’s like adding seasoning to a recipe—just a dash can take the whole look up a notch! And a fun scarf or statement necklace? It is always a good idea to add some pizazz.

Leopard is trending, so I’ve been carrying this leopard print leather tote on repeat! I treat leopard print as a neutral, and it works well.

This Italian Leather Convertible Crescent Handwoven handbag is the perfect size and a great neutral. I love this woven style, and crescent handbags are all the rage. This one is also available in merlot, black, and taupe, all neutrals that would look fabulous with almost anything.

Play with Different Shades and Tones

When working with neutrals, think beyond basic beige. Blending shades like cream, camel, and chocolate can create depth and interest without any one color taking over. It’s an easy way to look put-together and keep your outfit from being too one-note. Besides, a little tone-on-tone action never hurt anyone.

Each of the brown items in this outfit is a different shade. The cashmere tee is a basic beige, but all the other saturated shades of brown give this outfit a lot of depth and visual interest. The rich brown hues tie the outfit together, and the suede material of the jacket and tote add a luxurious touch, perfect for the fall season.

Layer Like a Pro

Fall is layering season, so take advantage! Start with a neutral tee or turtleneck, add a cozy cardigan, and finish with a trench or wool coat. Layering not only keeps you warm but adds dimension to your outfit. Plus, you can adjust throughout the day, so you’re never too hot or too cold—just perfectly stylish and comfortable.

Chocolate brown is a trending color this year, and here are 3 Stylish Ways To Wear Chocolate Brown. I’m partial to longer coats in the winter since they offer extra coverage and look lovely with dresses. I rarely button a coat and prefer them to show the outfit underneath. So, I size down when wearing a double-breasted coat or jacket to make that happen.

Go for Quality Fabrics
High-quality fabrics make a difference in how neutrals look and feel. Look for wool, cashmere, cotton, and leather pieces to elevate your outfit and give it that just right look. Not only will quality fabrics make you look polished, but they’ll also keep you comfortable, so you’re not tugging at itchy seams all day.

I love the softness of the material, and it makes me feel special when I wear it. The Audrey Cashmere Sweater in dark walnut is beautiful! I love this neutral brown color with my skin tone and hair, and it’s one I’ll wear a lot this fall and winter.

The Brushed Short Sleeve Lounge Tee is soooo soft! I love the Dolman sleeves and the banded bottom; it is so flattering. The top is made from a super stretch knit fabric with a soft, brushed hand feel.

Embrace the Monochromatic Look
If you’re in the mood to make a statement, try going head-to-toe in one color. A monochrome look in shades of beige, grey, or brown is timeless and flattering. Plus, wearing one color from top to bottom creates a seamless line that’s elongating. It’s the kind of trick that says, “Yes, I know what I’m doing,” without having to actually say it.

This gorgeous outfit checks off a lot of boxes. It features a textured tweed jacket, a quality cashmere turtleneck sweater, and a monochromatic neutral column of color. You can wear this outfit in multiple ways and dress it down with jeans.

Here is a great example of wearing monochromatic neutral colors. This outfit is anything but boring! The Ralph Lauren Double Breasted Coat is a classic that I’ve had for years. Buying quality neutral clothing that can be worn for years will save you money in the long term.

Which neutral colors look best with gray, blonde, and brunette hair colors?

The other day, I had a lot of comments about what color looks best with gray hair color. So, I thought you might like to use this as a guideline. Hmmm, I wonder if this guide works for colored hair. Our natural hair color might not be the color we are now wearing. 🤪 Let me know if you think this guide is correct.

• Gray hair: Soft tones like dove gray, ivory, and even blush can complement gray beautifully, giving a soft yet sophisticated look. Charcoal and navy are also fantastic, creating a striking contrast.
• Blonde hair: Blondes glow in shades like camel, warm beige, and even classic navy. These tones bring out the warmth in golden blonde shades or the coolness in ashy blondes.
• Brunette hair: Browns and brunettes shine in rich shades like chocolate, olive, and burgundy. If you’re a brunette, neutrals like taupe and charcoal will enhance your hair’s depth and give a balanced, timeless look.

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Verse Of The Day

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.