Grey and Yellow for Autumns
Autumn is perhaps the least obvious friend of Grey – Winters have stark clear Greys, Summers have their blue Greys, and Springs have clear and fresh Dove Grey. But Autumns…. Do they even have a grey?
The answer, of course, is yes. Autumns have Greys, and almost all of them have a distinct yellow/golden undertone. Your Greys are heavy storm clouds, or river-swept rocks; they all have a feel of something natural and living about them, rather than being heavy, flat, and metallic. Pantone’s Ultimate Grey is a little flat and heavy for you, and really needs that warmth and life added to it in order to bring it into your palette. Likewise, Illuminating is a touch stark for you too – bring your Yellow a little deeper and it becomes Sunflower, soften it a touch and you get Yellow Ochre, or make it even more acidic and shift into Neon Yellow.
Your Greys can form the basis of an entirely neutral outfit, minimalist and chic. Or they can work as more of an anchor, a neutral standpoint for a vibrant Autumn outfit which doesn’t have even a whiff of the dreary! I’ve shown two outfits below, demonstrating the versatility of Grey in your wardrobe.
Style notes: This outfit keeps to a super-minimal colour palette, with just a hint of mustard adding to the neutral backdrop. Flint is a perfect Grey for you – it has an almost-brown feel thanks to its complex undertones, but retains the elegant neutrality of Grey. If you wanted to liven this outfit up, a Red Coral Leather Tassel Bag or a Yellow Ochre Suede Belt would add a bold splash without losing the sophisticated feel.
Style notes: Vibrant shades of yellow, from Saffron to Buttermilk and Rich Gold, all work together and lift classic Mole. Tie your Willow Scarf neatly at the neck for a retro look that will keep you cosy.
And what about hair colour?
If you want to embrace grey when it comes to hair colour, very often letting your hair do what it does naturally is the easiest solution – Autumn hair will generally retain some warmth as it goes grey, often feeling somewhat honey or caramel in tone, adding the warmth and depth you need. Feel free to add warmth with the help of your hairdresser, but don’t feel obliged to simply because you fall into a warm palette – going grey is not forbidden for you!
To see Greys for the other seasons, use the links below:
