Not-So-Mellow Yellow: Our Favorite Ways to Wear This Sunshine Shade

Date: December 7, 2024

In case you missed it, yellow has made a major comeback over the past year. The shade, which has ebbed and flowed in popularity, is back in a big way and we couldn't love it more.

How to wear yellow demonstrated with a bright yellow sweater paired with light wash jeans, showing a fresh way to style this sunshine shade

Yellow conveys feelings of cheer, joy, and optimism, which makes it perfect for brightening up dull, gray winter weather. It can be subtle and soft or bright and unexpected. A little touch of yellow can totally change the vibe of your outfit, but figuring out how to wear yellow can be tricky. It's more intimidating than blue or pink, but with a little styling advice from your Trendsend stylist and a boost of confidence, you'll brighten up every day.

How to find the yellow for you

Yellow can be intimidating to wear because there are so many variations and undertones. Are you a golden yellow or a butter yellow? Who looks best in neon yellow? Can I wear yellow? The answer is yes, everyone can wear yellow. Learning how to wear yellow starts with figuring out which shade of yellow is best for your skin tone. Warm skin tones look best in golden, mustard, marigold, and harvest yellow shades, while those with cool undertones should stick to a vibrant lemon or pastel buttercup yellow. Medium skin tones look great in a variety of yellows, as do dark skin tones. Your Trendsend stylist can help you navigate the yellow color wheel to find your perfect shade.

The best colors to wear with yellow

Yellow is so much fun to play with! Obviously it depends on what kind of yellow you're working with — what goes with a marigold yellow may not sing with a butter shade — but the color is much more versatile than you think, and may just get you out of a styling rut.

How to wear yellow by pairing it with complementary colors, featuring a yellow sweater styled with white denim for a fresh winter look

For starters, all shades of yellow look great with crisp, bright white, whether it's a pair of jeans or a denim jacket. Buttery yellow tones look amazing with soft blues and deep burgundies, and golden yellow sings with pink, gray, and navy. Yellow is also a natural partner for olive, so you can pair a yellow knit sweater or T-shirt with your favorite cargo or army pants. Pastel yellow looks great with all shades of denim, and we love the juxtaposition of a warm marigold with deep, dark denim.

The best yellow clothes and accessories

Now that you've figured out which yellow is best for you and which colors to wear with yellow, it's time to put your yellow-centric outfits together. To tiptoe into the trend, try the subtlest hint of yellow, like a yellow striped shirt versus the classic black or navy stripe or a neutral pullover with yellow text or a graphic. Once you feel more confident in the color, go full-on yellow in with a solid-color T-shirt, sweater, or sweatshirt and layer it with a tried-and-true blazer or jacket.

How to wear yellow demonstrated with a white and yellow striped sweater paired with olive cargo pants and a sweater, showing how to style subtle yellow stripes for everyday wear

Accessories like bags, jewelry, and scarves are an easy way to incorporate the color into a more neutral ensemble. If you're ready to wear head-to-toe yellow, a yellow dress always feels fresh and springy and can be worn solo or styled with jackets and sweaters until spring rolls around. You never know — yellow may become your new favorite color!