Sit and think for a moment. Do you remember the wall color at your dentist’s office? Or your neighbor’s garage? Or the gymnasium at your local park? Odds are, you don’t (and if you do, it’s most likely a bold color). Neutrals are a very common choice for wall color, and the fact that you don’t remember them is because the shades are doing their job of NOT taking center stage.
Neutrals are like a canvas that wants to be painted on. They beg to be dressed up or accessorized because by themselves, they can be a little plain. So, taking this analogy into the world of soft autumn clothing, we want our neutral shades to complement us and not be fighting for attention. But how would a neutral be fighting for attention if the whole purpose of it is to blend into the background? The answer is undertones. In this post, we will explore the beiges of the neutral world and see if we can gain some understanding in how to determine a “good” or “bad” beige.
Our beiges definitely need to stay in the neutral to slightly warm range. Fortunately, we can pull off several beige colors as long as they’re in our goldilocks spectrum. We want our beiges to be not too yellow, not too green, not too gray, and not too peach. I tend to look for shades that look like a really faded form of brown. Here are a few of the shades that are sure to be a win:
- Camel. This warm, golden beige hue is a ray of sunshine in the soft autumn palette, lending a sophisticated look to any ensemble. Look for shades that have subtle hints of yellow or orange as this color can run very warm if we’re not mindful of the undertones. Whether you’re rocking a camel coat or cozy sweater, this versatile shade will add a polished feel to your overall aesthetic.
- Sand. Think of a light tan containing a gentle, earthy quality with subtle golden or yellow undertones. This shade of sand in the soft autumn palette is not overly bright or stark but rather has a softness and depth to it, making it versatile and easy to pair with other autumnal hues.
- Oatmeal. For those craving a lighter touch, consider oatmeal. This soft, creamy beige is like a warm hug from your favorite sweater. Oatmeal is a soft, light beige color with subtle hints of warmth. It’s named after the natural hue of oats and is often described as a creamy beige with undertones of tan or light brown. It’s the perfect neutral base for layering and accessorizing, adding depth and texture to your outfit without overpowering the rest of your look.
- Khaki. Soft autumn khaki is composed of a balanced blend of warm undertones and muted hues. It may incorporate hints of yellow, brown, or olive, lending it a soft, natural appearance. The composition of soft autumn khaki is carefully calibrated to create a color that is neither too vibrant nor too dull, striking a perfect balance between warmth and subtlety
Incorporating soft autumn beiges into your wardrobe is sure to bring a sense of neutral warmth and elegance to your everyday style. These timeless shades will match virtually any outfit you put together and will save you time on those busy mornings!
Here are some examples of beige colors that I would spring for. Notice how creamy they are. Some have hints of a faded “chocolate milk” color. A small splash of gray or yellow in the color is okay as long as it isn’t taking over the entire garment.
Here are some examples of beige colors to avoid. Every single one of these items was described as beige, off-white, or some variation on the theme. When searching for these images, I was looking for colors that were extremely gray, yellow, or peach in their undertones. Notice how they are harsher than the more neutral-warm options above.
