Discover the major dos and don'ts for wearing yellow, known as summer's hottest color.
Yellow is a star and one that prefers standing out on its own. To avoid cluttering your look, make sure you minimize bold accessories. “Keep shoes, accessories, and handbags in bold primary colors or nude shades,” says style expert Hilary Kennedy. “Don’t make your yellow piece compete for attention.” Also, a perk of wearing nude heels is that it elongates the figure, making you appear taller and slimmer with minimal effort.
Want to have all eyes on you at any swanky soiree? While the little black dress may never go out of style, chances are you’ll disappear among the pack. Make a bold entrance with a color designed to do just that. “Yellow is a great way to make a statement when you walk into a room,” explains Hilfiger. “Uma Thurman did just that when she made headlines worldwide for wearing a canary-yellow Versace gown for the pemiere of her film, ‘Clouds of Sils Maria,’ at the Cannes Film Festival. But everyone can make their own headlines with this sunny color that will steal the spotlight from the LBDers.”
“Remember that yellow, or any light-colored bold shade for that matter, will highlight wherever it’s placed, so be aware of what you’re highlighting,” warns California-based personal stylist Paul Julch of Share Some Style. “Love your tiny waist? Grab a yellow belt. Have long, thin legs? Find some yellow jeans. Don’t want to highlight your hips? Then keep your yellow on your top, not your skirt or pants.”
You don’t have to wear an electric yellow shade to stand out from a crowd stylishly. The key to making this color work for you is finding the right hue for your skin tone. However, there is one specific shade that stylists say works on everyone. “Ever heard of a canary yellow diamond? Of course you have and most likely it evokes a sense of luxury and elegance in your mind,” says San Francisco-based personal stylist Christina Santelli of Share Some Style. “Take cues from this rare gem and invest in a yellow-colored statement piece of fashion jewelry. Think a yellow color block bracelet or chunky cocktail ring. Pair it with you go-to date night jeans and form-flatting top.” Also, the added benefit of wearing yellow jewels is that it’s an easier way to rock this color, especially if you’re a first timer.
Another way to find out how bold you should go? Take note of your hair color as well. “There are so many beautiful shades of yellow that it’s important to pick the hue that speaks to you the most,” says Hilfiger. “For example, brunettes look best with a brighter shade, while blondes should stick to more golden hues.”
For this steamy season, we recommend wearing a yellow peplum top or figure-hugging dress to accentuate curves and better cinch the waist. “Peplum tops are a great way to add character to any kind of bottom,” says Jasmin Rodriguez, Las Vegas-based vintage fashion stylist and expert. “The type of bottoms you do want to avoid are A-line skirts, harem pants, or any other kind of non-fitted jeans as they downplay the glamour of a curve-enhancing peplum top.” Rodriguez also recommends adding on a waist belt to make your midsection appear even slimmer.
Just like with accessories, you also want to keep your makeup at a minimum. Kennedy states that when it comes to wearing yellow, pink lipstick can clash or easily wash out your face. However, one can never go wrong with red, coral, or even orange to brighten one’s features, all while enhancing the look of your couture. “Yellow looks lovely with orange, also known as this season’s hottest lip color,” she states. “So why not wear to trends at once?”
“If yellow appears tough against your skin tone, but you’re dying to wear that phenomenal top, then put another color close to your face to break it up,” advises Julch. “Add a scarf and/or jacket, or wear a light blue button-down under that incredible yellow cardigan to put a more friendly color near your face.”
While a yellow dress can easily make heads turn, not everyone will be comfortable wearing this color from head to toe. Fortunately, there are other ways to incorporate this shade to not only boost your confidence, but also make you appear more polished. “Yellow is not about taking a plunge into the hue,” says Santelli. “It’s about incorporating it into your look without screaming Big Bird.” Think a pop, splash, or even just a hint. “Consider a citrus yellow silk blouse paired with a black pencil skirt and killer heels,” she adds. It’s a safe ensemble that will work for anyone, no matter body type.
LBD fans, rejoice. Not only can you still add a chic black hue to a sunny outfit, but it’s also a simple trick to look slimmer, minus the Spanx. “Bold yellow can give you a thinner appearance,” insists Kennedy. “For the workplace, try wearing a dark color, like a black blazer over a bold yellow dress, or a black dress with a yellow blazer. It’s slimming and looks polished and professional.”