The fashion world can broadly be divided up into people who love colour and those who feel most comfortable in soft beiges and muted tones, and it's fair to say that the fashion gods have not looked kindly upon the former crowd over the last few years. Thanks to designers such as Nanushka, Totême and Lemaire, the world has become awash with head-to-toe camel-coloured ensembles and biscuit-toned basics, which not only overtook the summer months but also proliferated across autumn and winter.
While I will always have time for the expensive-looking power of earthy hues, I've recently experienced a serious case of beige fatigue. This is saying something because I am firmly in the colour-ambivalent camp and have to force myself to add notes of colour into my wardrobe of navy, brown and black. However, over the last month, I've found the sea of same-same tones has grown a little repetitive and, in my opinion, in need of a little excitement.
Fellow monochrome lovers, this one's for you. If you cringe at the sight of rainbow brights, I've put together a minimalist's cheat sheet for injecting colour into your wardrobe this season. Scroll down to see my top tips, and shop the key pieces.
Layer Up With a Colour-Pop Knit
Style Notes: A pair of tailored trousers and a simple white vest is a classic minimalist pairing all year round. For these colder months, it's essential to layer up, and adding a bold knit on top makes the whole thing feel 10 times chicer.
Ease into colour with this mixed jumper, which will work perfectly with jeans.
Of course, every colour looks great with black. But right now I'm obsessed with orange and blue pairings, be it navy or blue denim.
This oversized jumper also comes in a cute pink hue.
Try Gen Z Yellow
Style Notes: Forget Millennial Pink—it's all about Gen-Z yellow. Luckily for the colour-ambivalent, it's a relatively approachable hue and can easily be incorporated into a neutral wardrobe. Just treat it the same way you would white or beige (it looks fab with denim).
This buttery yellow shirt will go with everything you already own.
This throw-on-and-go dress that is sure to turn heads.
Bold and beautiful.
Experiment With Tonal Dressing
Style Notes: It might sound counterintuitive to wear head-to-toe colour if you're usually a neutral person, but in a weird way, it offers that uniform-like finish that minimalists crave. The key is to stick to block colours and low-key colours, such as blue, dark green and maroon.
Dark green hues are an easy way to embrace colour.
Even match your coat for a truly impactful look.
Co-ordinating take the thought out of getting dressed.
Wear a Colourful Base Layer
Style Notes: If you're not into brights, the below tops might terrify you, but the beauty of the colourful base layer is that it can be surreptitiously slipped under anything—from white shirts to boilersuits. It'll just peep out from under pieces, offering any outfit a little bit of personality.
It's layering season, so add a pop of colour under your minimalist essentials.
Red is a universally flattering colour.
This extra fine top adds just enough colour to add a shirt or jumper on top.
Inject Colour Into Your Accessories
Style Notes: This has got to be one of the easiest ways to work colour into your wardrobe this winter. Whether it's a bag, a pair of shoes, a hair slide or statement earrings, a colourful accessory can be grabbed last minute and used to elevate neutral staples, as seen in this chic street style look.
There's a reason this COS crossbody keeps selling out.
What's not to love?
The Loewe Puzzle comes in a literal rainbow of hues.
Throw on a Bold Suit
Style Notes: A coloured suit is the ultimate meeting of minimalist polish and rainbow brights. It's easy to throw together with instant impact.
Adding a turtleneck underneath is a sleek layering piece for extra warmth.
Keep to your minimalist style by pairing with neutral or black accessories.
Now this is seriously chic.
The suit can be separated to mix and match with other pieces.
Up Next: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: The 21 Looks You Need to Know About.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.