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What Is A Neutral Color (In Fashion)?

You’ve probably heard the term neutral used in reference to colors, but how do neutral colors work within fashion? And should you even be thinking about neutral colors when there are so many amazing colors that are cool or warm toned?

Well, I hate to break it to you, but I believe that everyone needs a neutral color or two in their wardrobe or their fashion collections.

And these neutrals can be tiny little sprinkles on an otherwise bright and colorful collection, or a wardrobe full of neutrals with little pops of accent color to pep things up.

A neutral colored piece of fabric with 'these are neutral colors' as a text overlay.

What Are Neutral Colors?

Neutral colors are widely considered to be those that can easily be paired with other colors. They’re classic colors, understated and often more subtle than their non-neutral friends.

Neutral colors are also not found on your typical color wheel. They do not contrast with primary colors but instead work to accentuate them. This is the main function of neutral colors in fashion.

Another aspect of neutral colors that separates them from the other hues is that they contain no undertones, which means they can be considered “pure” colors. The most common examples of neutral colors include black and white.

In fashion, neutral colors would be hues that go well with everything. As such, you can imagine their importance when building out a cohesive collection, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that every neutral color will work well with other colors by default.

You need to have an understanding of how to pair different neutrals with different colored garments so that they complement each other.

To get started on the right foot, know that there are three types of neutral colors:

  1. Pure neutrals
  2. Near neutrals
  3. Colored neurals

Let’s look more closely at each in turn.

Pure Neutral Colors

Black and white are considered to be pure neutral colors

Pure neutrals are the most common examples and the first ones that come into mind when talking about neutral colors. They are called pure neutral as they do not have any traces of undertone colors, and are often described as achromatic. There are just two pure neutrals:

Black

I believe that everything goes well with black, and it is the first and most commonly used neutral color in fashion design. It is the color known to absorb all light, to be the ‘absence of color’ and provides a sharp contrast against many other colors. There is not cool or warm tone to black – black is just black.

As a result, outfits made up completely of black will always have a sleek or slightly edgy appeal depending on the overall style.

White

White is the color that reflects all light wavelengths and is the ‘presence of all colors combined’. When we think of white we think cleanliness and purity. It’s why wedding dresses and childrens christening gowns have always leaned heavily into white.

In fashion, white is simplicity; a crisp white shirt is simple and classic, a white linen dress or suit for the summer makes for a simple and almost effortless look. Many fashion designers have used white to create more minimalist collections.

It is also often used as the base color in a collection intended for spring and summer as it provides a crisp fresh look which contrasts well with other colors that may be used.

Finally, white clothes tend to complement those with a cooler skin tone, so keep that in mind if you fall into this category.

Near Neutrals

A selection of near neutral colors from left to right: beige, gray, mauve

The term near neutrals is used to describe colors that have a subtle undertone which makes them appear close to neutral shades. They are often softer and less vibrant than traditional colors. One defining trait of near-neutral colors is their significantly lower saturation. In fashion and interior / exterior design, near neutrals are generally used to accentuate other colors by shifting focus to the latter to give them more of a visual pop.

Beige / Brown

Beige is a warm light brown color that is often used as an alternative to white or gray, particularly for creating a softer and more earthy look. It is also often associated with warmth, subtlety, and versatility and it pairs well with many colors.

Brown is a warm, earthy neutral color that comes in a variety of shades, including light tan, chocolate, and coffee. It is often associated with comfort, warmth, and reliability. Brown can be paired with other earth tones or used as a grounding color within an outfit.

Gray

Gray is a rather versatile neutral color with a wide range of shades from light to dark, and it can run cool or warm – hence its near-neutral status. It is often seen as a sophisticated and timeless color choice and pairs well with a wide range of colors. Gray is frequently used as a complementary shade in fashion.

Greige

Greige is a blend of gray and beige, which results in a warm grayish-beige color. It has become increasingly popular in fashion and interior design as it offers a modern and sophisticated alternative to traditional neutrals. Greige also works well with a range of colors.

Khaki

Khaki is a light brown or tan color with a green undertone. It is commonly associated with military or safari-inspired fashion and is a versatile near-neutral color that can be paired with various colors, but works particularly well with earth tones.

Mauve

Mauve (which rhymes with ‘grove’ for anyone not sure of its pronunciation) is a muted and dusky shade of pink or purple. It has a subtle gray undertone, making it a very popular near neutral color. If you use mauve in your collection, you’ll find that it adds a touch of softness and femininity to the overall mood. It also pairs well with other neutrals or pastel colors.

Slate

Slate is another muted color, leaning towards grayish-blue. It is a cool near-neutral that can be used as a softer alternative to navy blue. Slate is often seen as a sophisticated and calming color choice and like mauve, it works well with other neutrals and pastels.

Taupe

Taupe falls between brown and gray as a color. It is a cool and earthy tone with a hint of purple or pink undertones and is often used in fashion to create a feeling of sophistication. Taupe works well with both warm and cool color palettes.

If you’re wanting to steer clear of pure neutral colors, then any of the above near neutral colors will work well in your wardrobe or fashion collections.

Colored neutrals

A small selection of colored neutral colors, from left to right: blush pink, olive green, terracotta and steel blue

The third type of neutral colors are colored neutrals. These colors are generally more muted but they do possess a distinct hue or undertone and can act as a neutral foundation in fashion collections. Here are five colored neutrals that are used often in fashion.

Blush Pink

A soft, pale pink color that has a subtle warmth, blush pink is often used as a colored neutral in fashion, adding a delicate and feminine mood without overpowering an outfit. Blush pink also pairs well with other neutrals and pastels.

Olive Green

Olive green is a muted, earthy green color with a hint of brown. It is often used as a colored neutral due to its ability to blend well with other colors. Olive green is great for providing a subtle pop of color while still maintaining a neutral aesthetic.

Mustard Yellow

Mustard yellow is a warm, deep yellow color with brown undertones. While many will consider it to be a vibrant color, and therefore not at all neutral, mustard yellow is to me, a muted colored neutral that adds warmth and richness to fashion collections. It also pairs well with other neutrals, earth tones, and even some bolder colors, if you’re feeling brave enough!

Terracotta

Terracotta is a warm and earthy reddish-brown color. It is considered to be a colored neutral as it is versatile and has the ability to mix nicely with a variety of colors. I find that terracotta adds warmth and depth to fashion collections.

Steel Blue

Another muted colored neutral, steel blue is a grayish-blue color with a cool undertone providing a softer alternative to brighter blues. Steel blue pairs well with other neutrals and cool tones, helping to create a cool and sophisticated collection.

Do Neutral Colors Really Go With Anything?

One of the most common statements you will hear when it comes to neutral colors and fashion is that clothing made in neutral colors can go with pretty much anything. But how valid is this claim, though?

In theory, yes, neutral color clothes will look good with anything you choose to pair them with. However, some neutral colors work better with specific shades, and knowing that little tidbit can go a long way in planning your collection or your outfit.

The most important thing that you need to remember, is that the right combination of colors will depend mostly on your style. You can mix and match clothes and accessories of various colors or create a look with shades from within the same spectrum – even uncommon color combinations can work if the style emphasizes these colors, so don’t be afraid to play around and test things out and then wear what you choose with confidence to look like a million dollars!

Tips For Choosing The Right Neutral Colors

Similar to most colors, neutrals also come in warm and cool variations. Understanding how to choose between the two will significantly narrow down your options regarding selecting colors for your needs.

Your skin tone is the main factor when choosing between cool and warm neutrals. Basically, warm complexions = warm colors, and cool complexions = cool colors.

Warm neutrals will have a touch of yellow, pink, and orange undertones. Warm neutrals include gold, beige, camel, cream, khaki, olive green, cream, and tan. As for cool neutrals, these will have green, blue, and purple undertones such as taupe, rose beige, ivory, blue-gray, gray, and pure white.

What Neutral Colors Are Best For Clothes?

Pretty much every neutral color will look nice when applied to clothing. These colors have become staples in the fashion industry and include:

  • Beige
  • Black
  • Brown
  • Cream
  • Gray
  • Khaki
  • Taupe
  • White

Honorable mentions include neutral colors that have a metallic vibe. Also, certain wardrobe staples will have greater appeal in neutral colors than other colors. Here are clothes that gain ‘classic’ status  when created in neutral colors:

  • Basic white t-shirt
  • White denim jeans
  • Black pants
  • Khaki cargo pants
  • Tan trench coat
  • Grey hoodie
  • Little black dress
  • Black biker (moto) jacket

Remember that if you’re feeling that neutral colors are just a little too ‘meh’ for your taste, you can always add them as a little flourish within a brighter look – a white belt to cinch in your fuschia maxi dress perhaps?

And the same is true in reverse… if you find you have too much in the way of neutrals in your wardrobe or fashion collections, then adding in a pop of color will do wonders. I quite like a colorful woven belt to cinch in my white shirt and black joggers look. It’s simple, but it works.

These are some of the key colors that are considered as neutral colors within the fashion industry but it is worth noting that fashion trends and perceptions of neutral colors do vary over time. For this reason it’s always a good idea to consider the current fashion landscape and individual preferences when working with colors in fashion.

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