From camel and biscuit to chocolate and rust, last year was awash with all manner of neutrals, but 2021 has seen a new, and somewhat unexpected, hue making a bid for the minimalist color crown. Yellow isn’t a shade we’ve seen for a good few years now, and in previous manifestations, it had a tendency to feel a little harsh and difficult to wear, but the 2021 iteration is an entirely different beast: less look-at-me marigold and more mellow #stickofbutter yellow.
Delicate, flattering, and easy to layer, this new breed of yellow is taking over where beige left off: namely, operating under the guise of color but actually offering our wardrobes a new way to wear neutral. If you’re terrified of bold brights, this hue just might be the one for you. Luckily, high-end and fast-fashion brands alike have delivered a wealth of styles to inspire us for the new season.
The secret to making this trend work is to treat it as though you would white, black, or beige. Don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds. For example, we’ve seen plenty of street stylers wearing pale yellow head to toe (see above) for a high-impact yet chic look. A pale-yellow suit worn with a white tee would do the job nicely. We also love how another showgoer layered a pale-yellow shirt under pastel-colored tailored separates, as it’s a great alternative to traditional white.
Our top tip? If in doubt, go paler. A super-light shade is far more delicate and in turn much easier to incorporate into your wardrobe than brighter varieties. What better way to welcome in the start of spring than a hit of baby-chick yellow?
Up next: This Shoe Trend is Resurfacing Again and TBH, I’ve Never Loved It More.
