Yellow is everywhere this spring — a quick search online and you’re met with hundreds of options.
It can feel a bit overwhelming, or tempting to just buy something for the sake of it… but that’s often where things don’t quite work once you get it home. And yellow is one of those colours that can feel a bit tricky to wear. More often than not, it’s not that it doesn’t suit you — it’s just that you haven’t quite found the right version of it.
Why yellow feels tricky to wear
If you’ve ever tried yellow and felt like it didn’t quite work for you, you’re not alone.
Yellow is one of those colours that doesn’t behave like many others. The wrong tone can easily feel too harsh, too pale, or just a little off against your natural colouring. It’s often not about whether you can wear yellow, but about finding the right version for you.
Once you start looking at undertone, depth and clarity rather than just “yellow or not yellow”, it becomes much easier to see why some versions work and others don’t.
How to find the right yellow for you
This is where colour really starts to make sense.
Using a tonal approach, it’s less about the idea of “yellow” in general and more about the specific characteristics of the shade – how light or deep it is, how soft or clear it appears, and how much warmth it has.
Those small differences completely change how a colour sits against your natural features. When you start matching these elements to your own colouring, it becomes much easier to navigate colour in general. And, you’ll often find there is a version that works, even if you’ve previously ruled it out.
I’ve put together some spring colour combinations for each tonal colour type below:
Lights: Match your light and delicate look by wearing similar light and pale shades. Avoid bright or rich colours and high contrasting combinations. If you have a warm undertone as a secondary characteristic, you may find yellow easier to wear.
Deeps: Your look is strong and rich so aim to add depth to your yellows and combinations. Unless in a rich pattern, avoid pale and pastel tones on their own. If you have a cool undertone as a secondary characteristic, yellow will feel harder to wear on its own.
Warms: Many shades of yellow suit you! Combine them with other yellow-based tones for maximum impact.
Cools: Not an easy choice for you so opt for as icy as you can and add cooler tones for contrast.
Clears: Opt for bright, vibrant colours and pair with darker shades or other brights. If you have a warm undertone as a secondary characteristic, you may find yellows much easier to wear.
Softs: As your look is more blended, the same can be said of your colours. Even though it’s not in your swatches, a yellow which looks like it has been faded by the sun will work. Muted tones in combination create a chic look. If you have a cool undertone as a secondary characteristic, yellow will feel harder to wear – try it in a soft pattern.
Ways to wear yellow this spring
If you’re still not quite sure where to start, or you simply can’t find the right version for you this season, here are a few simple ways to bring it into your wardrobe without overthinking it.
If you prefer to watch, I’ve also recorded a 5 minute video on YouTube with four ways to wear yellow – watch it here.
1. Accessories – A scarf, bag, shoes, a hat or a bit of jewellery is such an easy way to introduce yellow without committing to a full outfit. This can be particularly useful if you’re struggling to find a version that works for you.
2. Combinations – Sometimes, the easiest way to break a colour up or change the impact is to pair it with other colours. I’ve shared some combinations for the core tonal colour types above for inspiration. You can also pair it with a neutral like navy, white, greys, browns and denim – it can help to balance the colour and make it feel more wearable.
3. Prints – Opting for yellow in a print or pattern can really soften the overall look to feel less overwhelming. It can be a particularly clever way of breaking the colour up and creating contrast or muted tones.
4. Placement – Where you wear a colour can also be relevant. If yellow near your face feels too much, try it on your bottom half – skirts and trousers can still give you a seasonal lift and be less impactful.
Spring trends (and making them work for you)
There are a variety of yellows in the shops this spring, but not every one will be right for you. Use these tips to make yellow work for you this season and, if you want more specific guidance on the key colours to suit you, explore my Seasonal Updates. I’ve featured seven key colours for each colour type in my Colour Trend Guide (available as part of my Seasonal Updates), which fits inside your colour swatch wallet. Browse the resources here.
With a few small tweaks and a better understanding of what works for your colouring, this season’s trending colours can be an easy way to freshen your wardrobe.
During my Colour Analysis Consultation, your individual characteristics are assessed to establish the shades that suit you best and how to wear them confidently. If you’re unsure what works for you – get clarity by booking a consultation. Gift vouchers are available, or you can come with a friend.


