Mastering the Art of Neutrals: How to Wear Neutral Colors for Effortless Style

Black and other neutral tones are timeless staples in fashion, known for their versatility and universal appeal. They’re wardrobe essentials, even for the most minimalist style. But the key to making them truly shine lies in how you wear them—tailored to your unique natural coloring and contrast level.

In this article, I break down how to best utilize neutral colors specifically for your undertones. Since these colors are so basic you may be thinking "Yeah, yeah... I already know what these are.",  you may even have an aversion to wearing them since they can be regarded as "boring".

While it's true they can be boring I cover some ways you can mix things up to get the most out of these essential core colors that will hopefully give you a fresh perspective, and even get you to like or dare say it - love them.

What Are Neutral Colors?

Sometimes referred to as "earth tones" these hues are timeless foundation colors. You often see them in nature in tree bark, rocks, soil, sand, dried grasses, water, etc.

They are the result of two complementary combining and blending; except black and white. Black and white combine to make gray. When black is added to a color it deepens it while white lightens it. Adding gray has a softening effect.

Basic Neutral Colors -

• Black
• White
• Gray
• Brown
• Khaki/Taupe
• Beige
• Blue

Metallic Neutrals -

• Gold/Rose Gold
• Platinum
• Silver
• Bronze
• Copper
• Pewter

Neutrals are more complex than they seem—they often carry subtle undertones. Some lean warm with hints of yellow or red, while others feel cooler with blue or purple undertones. And yes, there are even neutrals with green undertones!

Why am I geeking out over this? Because I’m a total color nerd, and I love sharing these little details. But more importantly, these undertones are foundational—they echo the natural colors in your hair, skin, and eyes, shaping your unique undertones and color type.

Understanding which neutrals harmonize with your natural coloring is a game-changer. It’s the secret to creating balance and enhancing your look. When a color—neutral or not—is even slightly off, it disrupts the harmony, much like a wrong note can throw off an entire song. Color analysis is all about finding that perfect, resonant chord in your personal palette!

Best Ways to Wear Neutral Colors?

These versatile hues often form the backbone of your wardrobe, but if you prefer a minimalist approach, they can effortlessly make up your entire closet.

Here’s how to work them into your style:

• Tops & Sweaters
• Jackets & Blazers
• Coats
• Pants & Skirts
• Hats
• Shoes
• Belts
• Jewelry & Accessories

And don’t stop there—these colors shine in cosmetics, too! Use them as eyeshadows, mascaras, eyeliners, or even to polish up your nails. These shades are as flexible as they are timeless.

How to Make Neutrals More Interesting

Keep your neutral wardrobe looking fresh and exciting by experimenting with different tones and fabric textures. Combine light, medium, and dark shades with a variety of finishes—soft, smooth, rough, or shiny—just like the rich diversity you’d find in nature.

Picture this: a textured wool blazer in dark brown or gray, paired with a soft sweater or tee in light beige, balanced with pants or a skirt in medium gray or brown, and finished with shiny metallic accessories for a touch of sparkle.

This creates a chic monochromatic look. Not your vibe? Add a pop of color with a pastel or bright fashion piece. You can also mix in patterns for even more personality.

Neutral Patterns/Textures to Explore:

• Stripes & Pinstripes
• Checks
• Polka Dots
• Glen Plaid
• Houndstooth
• Tweed
• Knits & Embroidery
• Lace

And don’t forget, the same approach works for your makeup! Play with shiny/glossy, sparkly/glittery, and velvety or matte finishes to craft eye-catching looks. Neutrals don’t have to be boring—they’re a playground for creativity!

 

The Best Neutrals for Cool Undertones

The best and most versatile neutrals in the cool blue-based range are listed below. You see these tones in nature; in ice, snow, clouds, minerals, metals, and even some plants. Water also reflects these silvery tones. Some woods and damp earth take on these cooler tones as well.

Whites - as with all colors, whites have an undertone and can vary in depth. The best whites for cool undertones include -

• Bright stark white
• Soft or off-white 
• Pink-white
• The palest icy blue-based hues such as icy blue, icy violet, icy green, icy aqua, and icy lemon yellow.

Jet Black is probably the most popular neutral and wardrobe staple in existence. Fashion stylists stress the importance of having the perfect little black dress or finely tailored black suit in your closet and for good reason. It is a lovely and versatile neutral. But can everyone wear it?

I say yes with an exception... if your coloring is particularly soft and delicate you won’t be as flattered by this color. 

Those with the softest coloring will find wearing a strong pure black is a bit too harsh for their slightly more delicate coloring, a gray is their best bet in this case. For those with stronger coloring, this is the best neutral in your wardrobe. Black is highly complementary to your natural depth. 

Gray ranging from light and icy to deep is another great choice. You can't go wrong with these colors. Like black, these also need to be very pure in tone or have a blue undertone. Think cold and cool just like a snowy winter day or silvery lake.

Your best metals - silver, white gold, 18k gold, and rose gold also fall into this category. These are derived from and combine perfectly with black and with each other. You could create an entire wardrobe using these monochromatic tones if you wanted to.

• Jet Black
• Deep True Gray
• Medium True Gray
• Light True Gray
• Silver Gray
• Icy Gray
• Blue-Gray (light to deep)
• Green-Gray, Sage, and Army Greens (blue undertone)

Browns and Beiges are also on the deeper and cooler side for the most part with some slightly warmer shades mixed in.

• Espresso
• Dark Chocolate
• Chocolate
• Deep Red-Brown/Burgundy Browns
• Grayed and Rosy Beiges

Navy Blue is another great neutral. Look for dark blues with a hint of violet like you would find in the night sky. 

Choose fabrics that have medium to high sheens such as -

• Satin
• Smooth Silk
• Velvet
• Fine cotton, linens, and wools
• Waxed and Patent Leather
• Fur 
• a very Fine Knit like Cashmere or a plush smooth Velvet
• Lace or Brocade can look quite nice too
• Sequins and sparkly fabrics
• Shiny Metallics in Silver, Gold, Copper, and Rose Gold look stunning

The Best Neutrals for Warm Undertones

Yellow-based neutrals have an earthy richness. They range from the deepest to the lightest hues found in nature - tree bark, rocks, and stones, golden reflections on water, dried leaves, grasses, and reeds.

Whites - warm yellow-based whites add a pop of contrast and freshness. Look for the following:

• Ivory White
• Ivory (pale to deep)
• Cream
• Undertones of Golden yellow, scarlet red, purple, and yellow-green.  

Umber Black, golden black, or black-browns are especially flattering on dark-haired and dark-eyed warm-toned people. If your coloring is lighter or softer it looks best if used as an accent color. This helps soften the effect just enough to keep it from looking too harsh by lowering the contrast.

Browns such as -

• Orange Browns
• Golden Browns
• Rust

These warm brown shades are lovely choices for all yellow-based skin tones. Think rich, warm, and golden; these are excellent basic wardrobe staples.

Grays and Beiges are also more warm than cool with a distinct yellow undertone -

• Charcoal
• Golden Grays
• Putty or Clay
• Milky Tea and warm Sand tones come to mind.

Warm grays can be hard to find at times, so just do your best. Look for grays and beiges that aren't too blue or purple in the undertone.

Classic Navy is another gorgeous neutral in your color palette. Contrary to popular belief, a deep inky navy blue and grayed navy are yellow-based colors. Imagine a deep glassy lake or an evening sky just after twilight but before all the light has faded. These are the shades you are going for.

Marine Navy is slightly softer than classic navy and has a tinge of green like a deep stormy sea. It looks great on its own or when combined with other colors.

Yellowed Gray-Greens are great basic colors as well. Wear them in hues ranging from dark to light -

• Golden Olives
• Khaki (Jake from State Farm knew what was up) and Camo Green are classic examples.

Choose fabrics that have a smooth finish or ones with some weight to them and a more matte or rough texture -

• Cotton/Denim
• Seersucker
• Linen
• Knits (chunky or cozy)
• Crushed Velvet
• Lace, Eyelet, Embroidery, or brocade
• Leather - smooth, suede, textured, or tooled
• Twill
• Wool
• Tweed/Boucle
• Raw Silk
• Metallics in Silver, Gold, Pewter, Bronze

I hope the tips above on finding and wearing your best neutral colors have been helpful! For more personalized guidance, consider scheduling a consultation with me. Together, we’ll create a wardrobe that truly reflects your unique style and complements your natural coloring.