How to Find Your Perfect Shade of Yellow

Every year, there’s an “it” color that keeps popping up in fashion. Last year, rose quartz (also called “millennial pink”) was the hue to look for. This summer, I’m happy to report it’s a tone that’s not only perfect for sunny weather, it’s inspired by it: yellow.

You may be wondering how to pull off the shade, and you’re not alone! While yellow is pretty to look at, it definitely isn’t a color you’d automatically reach for. The surprising thing is, it actually looks great on a wide range of skin tones, you just have to know which shades look best on you. For example, if your skin is pale, you’ll want to choose a shade that contrasts with your skin tone, like mustard, so you don’t wash out. Medium or olive skin tones look great in vibrant yellows and pastels, while people with darker skin can pull off pretty much any shade of yellow (including neon!). The right shade can actually boost your skin’s natural glow, which is a dream come true for people like me, who like to limit sun exposure!

Like all new trends, I suggest easing into it if you’ve never tried wearing yellow before. While I’d applaud you for immediately going for a full head-to-toe yellow look, it may be a bit of overkill for most people. So if you’re hesitant, try out a piece with a yellow pattern or accent hem first. If you like how the color looks on you, up the ante with a yellow-dominant piece, like this ruffle-trimmed top.

While there is a matching skirt available (plus size here), I decided to keep the rest of the look neutral so the top really pops. Here, I paired my pop of yellow with a classic midi skirt (plus size here), a green bag, and neutral flats. I love that it enhances the natural olive in my skin tone and makes me look a little more tan – and I didn’t even need to sunbathe or use self-tanner! The print breaks up the color a bit, making the overall look a little more summery and elegant.