Art of Style

5 Ways To Wear Color

Whether you prefer zingy citrus shades or all-out powerful primaries, this season is all about letting an abundance of color into your wardrobe, says BILLIE BHATIA

Fashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic

24 Aug '23

Orange and black make the perfect summer pairing

Pair color with black

If head-to-toe color feels like an overwhelming starting point, lean in to pairing your brights with black . This palette-cleansing backdrop allows contrasting color to shine without taking you too far out of your comfort zone. Zesty citrus shades are having a moment for SS23 and act as a sweet spot, breathing life into your existing off-duty pieces. Look to knitwear brand Arch4 for effortless elevated staples such as this silk and cashmere-blend tank . Wear it with classic wide -leg pants and a playful zebra-print bag from Jacquemus to add a touch of drama.

Go for a column of color

The simplicity of head-to-toe color has enduring appeal – and one of the easiest ways to achieve this chic look is with a breezy summer dress. Whether you are in the mood for midi or maxi shapes, opt for light, breathable fabrics with exaggerated silhouettes to execute this look effortlessly. Khaite’s yellow ‘Lally’ maxi dress, with its ruched bust and swishy layered skirt, is the joyful injection of color we’re all looking for. Stay in the summer mood by teaming your dress with Dragon Diffusion’s neat raffia tote, a pair of minimal Aquazzura sandals and stacks of gold chains for the ultimate sunshine state of mind.

Olivia Palermo pulls off the head-to-toe-color trend with aplomb in a sunshine-yellow summer dress

Elegant tailoring + hot pink = power-play perfection

Make maximum impact with tailoring

Bright tailoring is a great way to hit refresh on your working wardrobe and make a powerful color statement. Swap out your darker tones for bold shades – think Christopher John Rogers’ vibrant tomato-red piqué blazer and pants – to update your tailoring for the warmer months. Make sure the color is the main attraction by choosing simple, pared-back accessories. Bottega Veneta’s small ‘Sardine’ bag is the ideal partner: smart, sophisticated and relaxed enough to take this look from boardroom to bar. Finish with a pair of sleek, glossy black mules from Saint Laurent for power-play perfection.

Try bold accessories

Denim – with its clean neutrality – is the perfect foundation upon which to build an outfit, and a great backdrop to let a colorful accessory take center stage. And no accessory deserves the limelight more than Gucci’s ’90s-inspired orange leather shoulder bag. Keep the nostalgia running high with a dose of double denim – light-wash blues work well with primary brights, so team Gucci’s citrus sensation with Frame’s denim skirt, Goldsign’s twist-sleeve denim jacket and minimal footwear from Ancient Greek Sandals.

Cool denim allows a colorful accessory to take center stage

Clashing your colors gives your look a carefree and confident edge

Embrace clashing colors

For those ready to embrace a full palette this season, don’t be afraid to clash your colors. One of the most joyful ways to wear color is to be carefree – mixing tones, patterns, shapes and textures really brings the vibrant trend to life. We love the contrast of Brandon Maxwell’s oversized silk-blend shirt in buttercream with the tailored sharpness of Bondi Born’s linen pants in petrol-blue, which are also part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted clothing. Add one more bold shade into the mix via Bottega Veneta’s now-cult green intrecciato accessories and you’ve created a look so full of joy, you’ll never want to take it off.

NET-A-PORTER