Aug 31, 2023
“We all live in a yellow submarine”, the Beatles once said and not only made themselves and their music immortal, but also got to the heart of the cheerful character of the color yellow. Yellow is a signal color and immediately reminds us of sunshine, summer and positive energy. Interestingly, the popularity of the color yellow ranks surprisingly far behind for many people – despite (or maybe because of?) its luminosity. Especially in fashion, many find yellow to be a rather difficult color and do not know whether the color suits them at all. So time to shed some light! Let’s take a look at the color yellow in all its facets.
Basic knowledge yellow
Yellow is a warm color and is one of the three primary colors from which all other colors are formed (the other two primary colors are magenta, a darker pink, and cyan, a turquoise blue). On the color wheel, it is exactly opposite the color violet. There are a variety of shades of yellow, from light pastel shades to bright neon yellow, with each shade of yellow having different effects. The complementary color to yellow is violet. These two colors complement each other beautifully, creating a strong contrast that makes each color even more vibrant and deep. When combining yellow and violet, however, care should be taken to ensure that they are used in a balanced manner, because both colors are so powerful that this combination can quickly appear restless.
This is how yellow works
The effect of yellow can vary depending on its brightness and saturation. Light yellow tones are refreshing and friendly, while intense yellow is lively and energetic. Yellow mixed with shades of orange or brown tends to look cozy and sedate, while greenish yellow attracts attention. Precisely because of its signaling effect, yellow should be used with care, as it can be downright overwhelming in large quantities.
The meaning of yellow
symbolizes yellow Optimism, happiness and joy, but as a signal color it can also indicate dangers or toxins. For example, wasps and hornets, but also the poison dart frogs native to the Amazon and certain types of snakes are not colored yellow for nothing: They say: Caution, I am poisonous! In general, however, the individual shades of yellow are associated with sun and light and can have an uplifting effect on our mood. Color psychology has even found that yellow can stimulate appetite and boost creativity. Yellow also represents intellect, which is why it is often used in creative industries and educational institutions.
Who suits yellow?
The general rule: Yellow is a versatile color that, when used correctly and in the right shades, suits many people.
Especially people with a warm skin tone and dark, golden or olive skin can wear yellow particularly well. However, even those with fair skin tones can wear yellow by pairing it with cool or neutral colors to create a balanced contrast.
Yellow according to individual color types
► People with the so-called “spring” color type, i.e. with a light complexion and light hair, are particularly well suited to pastel yellow tones.
► Likewise, people with a “summer” color type, i.e. with a golden undertone of the skin, can tolerate light and bright yellow tones.
► The so-called “fall” types, who prefer warm and muted colors and often have reddish hair, look good on mustard and other warm yellows.
► The “Winter” type who prefers clear and cool colors and has dark hair, can wear neon yellow and other bright and cooler shades of yellow.
Combine individual shades of yellow
What colors go with lemon yellow?
Lemon Yellow is a fresh and vibrant tone that has a slight green tinge to it. It combines well with white, gray or light blue to create a bright and summery outfit. For bold looks, it can also be paired with violet for an energetic contrast.
How do I combine mustard yellow/corn yellow?
Mustard yellow or corn yellow are warm and cozy shades of yellow. They go well with brown, olive green and rust red. These combinations exude an autumnal vibe and are perfect for the cooler months.
Pastel yellow/light yellow – how to combine?
Pastel yellow or light yellow are soft and delicate shades. They can be wonderfully combined with other pastel colors such as lavender, mint green or baby blue to create a feminine and harmonious outfit, but can also be worn wonderfully as a monochrome outfit.
How do I combine neon yellow?
Neon yellow is an eye-catching and bright shade that draws instant attention. To put the focus on the neon yellow, it should be combined with neutral colors like white, black or grey. A touch of neon yellow as an accent in an otherwise plain outfit can also be very effective.
Color duos we like to see
Combine yellow & beige
This combination radiates elegance and naturalness. Yellow can appear in accessories or a top, while beige serves as a neutral base to complete the look.
Combine yellow & blue
Yellow and blue form a classic color duo that conveys freshness and a summer mood. Combinations such as sun yellow and aquamarine or mustard yellow and navy blue are timeless and harmonious, but one color should dominate while the other color only sets accents.
Combine yellow & purple
This combination creates a strong contrast and exudes confidence. Violet can serve as an accent color to bring out the luminosity of the yellow. As with the combination with blue, care should also be taken with the yellow-violet combination to choose one color as the dominant basic color. In general, the darker the violet, the more grounded and calm this combination appears.
Combine yellow & pink/pink
This combination is rather difficult and looks very playful. For this combination to work, one tone should be kept in a pastel color while the other tone can be stronger.
Combine yellow & gray
Gray serves as an elegant counterpoint to yellow and gives the outfit a matter-of-fact and calm note. This combination is suitable for both formal and informal occasions.
Combine yellow tone on tone
Combining different shades of yellow can create a great monochromatic outfit. Different textures and nuances can be used here to add depth to the look.
COMPACT SUMMARY: COMBINE YELLOW – DOS & DON`TS
DOS
– Combine yellow with neutral colors such as white, grey, beige or black for a balanced look
– Experiment with different shades of yellow to find your personal favourites.
– Make sure the color matches your skin and hair type to get the most out of your outfit
– If you combine yellow with other colors, make sure to always wear one color as the dominant base tone
Don’ts
– Avoid wearing too many intense shades of yellow at once as it can look overwhelming
– Do not combine yellow with too many other bright colors to avoid a busy appearance
– Avoid restless patterns with yellow and instead rely on symmetry and balance
► Yellow Addict? Then you can find all the yellow dresses from the current season here!