Primary Colors Feel Fresh Again

How to wear them in a closet full of neutrals.

I usually wear a fairly neutral wardrobe. Why? Mainly because it’s easier, but also because it’s practical, interchangeable, and honestly gives you better cost per wear. But now that fashion has been feeling so joyful and inspiring again, I’m feeling an itch to incorporate bright, bold primary colors.

Celine and Chanel have my FULL attention lately. Every time Celine posts something new, I immediately have an emotional reaction. Fashion is shifting away from overly serious quiet luxury and happily moving toward more expressive styling. Fashion feels fun again! I really feel inspired to shop, and my mind keeps spinning with ways I can interpret color into my own wardrobe.

What I love most about the way Celine and Chanel are approaching color right now is how luxurious it feels. Color is woven into the collections in a thoughtful, intentional way. There is a strong consistent palette and the styling is clever, never forced. And the best looks are the ones that have just a touch of color.

I think that’s the key to making primary colors feel chic in real life, too. Instead of dressing head-to-toe in bold color, the easiest way to wear the trend is through accessories. This is what makes sense for me personally, as someone who doesn’t own much color to begin with. Let’s break it down:

SCARVES:

1. Henri Matisse for Moma 2. Vintage YSL at TRR 3. Bembien 4. Vintage Chanel on TRR 5. Celine 6. Svenskt Tenn

This is the BEST place to start. Investing in a gorgeous bright silk scarf will take you very far. This vintage Chanel one with the bag print is so insanely clever! Once you have one you love, there are endless ways you can style it.

• Layered over a simple dress, tied around the waist.

• Perfectly wrapped around the top handles of your handbag.

• A chic sarong for a beach cover up.

• Tied in your hair.

• Tied on the back belt loop of your jean, hanging down to float as you walk.

• Make it a bag! Tie the ends to another bag’s removable handle.

• Or obviously, draped around your neck/shoulders as a scarf.

BAGS:

1. Vintage Bottega on TRR 2. Polo Ralph Lauren 3. Vintage Gucci on TRR 4. Vintage Celine on TRR 5. Amazon 6. Maison de Sabre 7. LL Bean 8. La Veste

It really is as simple and easy as it sounds. A interesting pop of color with your bag will instantly elevate your look this summer.

1. This Bottega find on The RealReal is too good to pass up. It’s priced so low, and the red raffia and black leather combo feels very close to the current Chanel textures and palette.

2. I’ve been eyeing these Polo Ralph Lauren bags since last summer. They come in a variety of colors and anything canvas is just so chic.

3. Vintage Gucci! I am obsessed with the stripes and the fringe combo.

4. An old Celine find, also from The RealReal. I love the minimal patch of cobalt blue.

5. This is an AMAZON pouch. I bought it last year and throw it in my totes, but the red/black/white stripes are SO Chanel coded. I used it as a clutch to go out to dinner with friends a few weeks ago.

6. My new obsession is this kelly green mini tote from Maison de Sabre. I got it a week ago and wear it almost every single day. It comes in other colors too!

7. Of course I had to include the LL Bean boat and tote and the mini is SO chic.

8. La Veste does the BEST bold colorful stripes, and this bag is heaven.

SHOES:

1. Christopher Esber 2. Ancient Greek 3. Havaianas 4. Vintage Chanel on TRR 5. Gap 6. Reformation 7. Jude 8. A. Soliani

Again, a simple way to tie in a primary color. I love the idea of a black and white look with the shoe being the only pop. It’s subtle, but effective.

1. These Christopher Esber wedges are sleek. I pulled them for a shoot last week and loved them even more in person.

2. Ancient Greek always does a great wrap around sandal, and these kelly green ones are perfect.

3. Havaianas are so buzzy right now. Obviously the Brazilian brand has been around for so long, but I’ve seen so many cool girls dress them up lately and it looks so effortless.

4. Who’s the lucky lady with a size 7.5? These yellow Chanel pumps are in great condition on The RealReal.

5. Gap is truly outdoing themselves right now. These blue jelly sandals look so similar to the Chloe ones for a fraction of the price.

6. I love these satin yellow minimal sandals from Reformation. It’s giving the Row.

7. This slipper silhouette from Jude has cool girl energy. Love them for running errands around the city.

8. A ballet flat is timeless, and these green ones from A. Soliani would be really lovely with a black cropped trouser.

JEWELRY:

1. TRR 2. Roxanne Assoulin 3. Julietta 4. Etsy 5. Bauble Bar 6. ASOS 7. Adina Eden 8. Susan Alexandra

Jewelry is where this trend can become really playful. Beads! Charms! Whimsy! I love mixing these brighter pieces with classic outfits because it adds a lovely personal touch.

1. These enamel rings from The RealReal are such a fun take on the classic diamond ring.

2. Roxanne Assoulin does color really well, and these layered beads will add something interesting to a simple dress.

3. I love seashell jewelry. I used these Julietta earrings on set last week, and the green detailing makes them extra special.

4. I will never be able to afford the Celine charm bracelets/necklaces, so I’m plotting to make my own. These letter bag charms on Etsy could be so fabulous strung on a necklace.

5. Get ready to see beads EVERYWHERE this summer. This Bauble Bar one is a great price comparatively to what’s out there.

6. Ok, these ASOS earrings are giving Chanel and I am purchasing them immediately.

7. I love a colored cord necklace. Swap out the charms for a fresh look if you want variety.

8. I just had to include these Susan Alexandra fish earrings. How PRECIOUS.

I still love my neutrals and probably always will, but adding these little pops of color just makes getting dressed feel a little more fun. And I can still feel true to my personal style.

Here are a few subtle ways I’ve started styling the trend myself lately:

Red cord necklace, blue Havaiana flip flops!!

Scarf styling trick with a pop of yellow. My scarf is a vintage Balenciaga scarf I scored at a thrift store.

That’s it! Hope this inspired you to incorporate a little color and joy into your wardrobe this summer.

xoxo,

Katie