So, what exactly is a neutral colour? 

A neutral is any ‘non-colour’ or a colour that doesn’t appear on the colour wheel - black, white, grey, white, beige. 

Neutrals form the staple items in your wardrobe to which you add hero or statement pieces. They are the backdrop to the colours and patterns you’ll add into your outfits and are useful for investment pieces or items that need to last a long time. They’re timeless in terms of fashion and are where, depending on your lifestyle, you should invest the bulk of your clothing budget – coats, suits, jackets, leather goods – handbags, boots, shoes …

As part of a colour analysis you will be told what the neutrals are within your seasonal colour or tonal colour palette. All colour palettes will feature a number of neutrals and you will be advised which are your best ‘dark’ neutrals for cooler weather and which are your best ‘light’ neutrals for warmer times of the year.

Beige is a brilliant neutral and is part of the brown family, a tint of brown and in colour psychology brown is the colour for when the world is whirling and what we need is to feel grounded and supported! How appropriate! 

It is a great, non-threatening, friendly, approachable colour and therefore ideal for anyone who works to support others. It can also be worn all year round but take care if you have a cool skin tone where you may need more of a taupe or mushroom undertone to your ‘nude’. 

Brown can also been seen as very serious and lacking in sophistication and in India, brown is one of the many colours of mourning. In Japan it is seen as strong and durable and in western countries brown is the colour of wholesomeness, nature and the earth.

There are so many variations of beige and so many names it is known by - taupe, fawn, oatmeal, nude, caramel.

It’s all about mindset. Beige may be boring, an ‘old lady colour’ but flip this thought and think how versatile and trend-proof it is! It’s all about perspective. Call it ‘nude’ and it suddenly becomes instantly more appealing to the style conscious.

Having an online colour analysis will tell you what YOUR best colours, best light and best dark neutrals are and which colours to avoid. Remember, neutrals are the foundation of your outfit and if you’re not sure what to put alongside a ‘colour’, a neutral is a safe option.

Do you know which neutral works best for you? Do you know which tint or shade of beige works for you?

The key to having a wardrobe that works for you, your lifestyle, your personality and with other items in your wardrobe, is to KNOW YOUR COLOURS!