Stlyish MeFites, please help me wear yellow!

May 27, 2017 5:16 PM

I just bought this dress and am looking for ideas on how to style it.

I am not a color wearer. In a wardrobe of mostly neutrals, my few exceptions are blue chambray or denim shirts and the occasional pastel t-shirt. For Reasons, I'm having to wear chartreuse or yellow to a wedding in a week. Trickiest color in the book!

Help me style this dress, please! It's making me very nervous to wear such a bright color (no idea why, I'll ask my therapist when I get a chance, haha.) Being that jewelry isn't a huge priority for me, there's a sad dearth of gold anything in my jewelry box, a couple silver bracelets, a statement necklace in antiqued silver, and an assortment of stud earrings, including plain gold ones I could wear.

Google very kindly gave me the idea of wearing a bright red lip, which is the other color concession I've made in the past, so that will also be happening. It is an evening beach wedding, so I'll wear flats that I have to shop for because the sandals I own aren't very wedding-y.

Help please? My style is trendy minimalist. I have tan skin with yellow undertones and black hair I'll be wearing like the girl in the link, which is basically me not doing much to it. I don't want to spend more than $50 on accessories for this event. Thank you, stylish MeFites!

posted by Everydayville to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

How about something in a coral / peach color, like a simple beaded necklace/bracelet? Something like this and this? And with your coloring, maybe a coral lip so you don't have a ketchup and mustard thing going on? The dress is gorgeous and I give you mad props for pulling that color off!
posted by Heretic at 5:44 PM on May 27, 2017

Yes (fake) coral. That dress is lovely and can take a big piece like this.

You could also go for jet/onyx/etc if you want something easier to rewear. I had a dress this color once that worked really well with big chunky black resin pieces.
posted by notquitemaryann at 5:53 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

I would do turquoise, if it's not super formal. Either plastic bangles and a bold necklace, or silver and turquoise the stone.
posted by kellyblah at 5:53 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Although corals would be nice if you don't care to add more colour black and/or gold

gold bracelet and large earrings (costume jewellery) like the model

any slightly delicate flat sandals

Small clutch or preferably wristlet so you can use your hands

If there is any danger of the temperature dropping to uncomfortable levels a light shawl
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:04 PM on May 27, 2017 [3 favorites]

I have similar coloring. If I were wearing that color, I would add a wrap in a deep jewel tone like royal purple or peacock blue or whatever flattering low-yellow color. Otherwise I'd look a bit sallow. YMMV. You'll likely want a wrap on the beach at evening regardless.

I don't think you need to worry about "ketchup and mustard" anything with just a red lip. The ratio of colors will be fine of you want to wear red lips.

I like everyone's jewelry suggestions.
posted by zennie at 6:22 PM on May 27, 2017

I think Kellyblah has it right - turquoise would be nice with this. Would a short Jean jacket be too casual? It's a gorgeous dress!
posted by mulcahy at 6:53 PM on May 27, 2017

I don't think you need to worry! That's an awesome dress!

I do like the idea of a turquoise accessory/accent. Coral would also be awesome. I would do a bold color with that bold color.

If you like a red lip, do that! I tend to find red lips to be pretty neutral overall, but I also think a coral/tangerine lip would look good. Depending on my accessories, I may also do a turquoise eyeshadow-y thing.

Really, I think this dress is your permission to have fun. But it's whatever fun you're comfortable with. I think you'll look good no matter what you do.

(I am not a huge color-wearer either, although I've begun to try. I have found that the color tends to make the statement and I just need to trust it.)
posted by darksong at 7:33 PM on May 27, 2017

Best answer: I think the example picture nailed it: a gold cuff and a more delicate, longer necklace also in a metallic. I'd go with another bold, contrasting color/look for the shoes more than for the jewelry, especially strappy flat or wedge sandals of some kind. (Turquoise sandals would be awesome!)

You'll look great in that yellow with your coloring, I have the same coloring and wear yellow a lot. I wouldn't worry about a red lip at all. You can't mess it up too much because you're going to pop in a good way regardless.
posted by colorblock sock at 7:40 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I agree with colorblock sock. Mimic the look in the pic and go for gold! Bold gold cuff and delicate earrings/necklace. The dress is fabulous and has enough structure to hold its own.

I have been a bridesmaid many times, and statement accessories may or may not cause a kerfuffle if your two options were yellow and chartreuse.
posted by Juniper Toast at 7:58 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

The dress is ethereal and to me it wants big chunky black accessories as a contrast, a couple of big pieces not a lot of little things. A big wide black bracelet, maybe a bunch of black fake stones necklace. I don't if more yellow is the way to go.

Depends on you and your look. Delicate accessories is going to paint a very delicate picture overall.
posted by bongo_x at 8:03 PM on May 27, 2017 [2 favorites]

The dress is strong. Don't fight it. Keep things bohemian and "beachy."
I take it you are a wedding guest, but not in the procession.

Neutral jacket or wrap for colder weather, flats or sandals that you can kick off if the sand gets in them, but are protective in the vegetation to the beach. Maybe a narrow shear yellow scarf to keep "windswept" hair from being "bedhead grunge" before the wedding march. This can be wrapped around a wrist or the neck (if longer) when not needed.

Neutral / coral makeup. Don't worry about "It has to be gold" accessories, use whatever metal you like. It will be windy, get things that stay put and won't wrap around hair / sunglasses / last-minute hair corsage.

A tiny clutch so you can keep a hanky handy. I would add a thin discrete cross-shoulder strap to it, because I would set down my purse and forget it, but that's me. Maybe a mesh or silk bag inside the clutch to keep track of unneeded accessories.
posted by TrishaU at 11:27 PM on May 27, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: That dress is so beautiful in its simplicity it doesn't need much. A red lip is perfect. Personally, I would wear flat sandals in silver or gold, very simple with few straps. I would also wear long, dangly earrings. Really, almost any color would be great, or just metal--silver or gold. No necklace at all! The neckline is gorgeous and should be shown off. That's it: flat sandals, long dangly earrings.
posted by primate moon at 10:27 AM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Appreciate the great suggestions! To clarify, I'm not in the wedding party.

I tried on coral and turquoise jewelry on today, and while those do pair beautifully with the yellow dress, my personal resistance to color just won't allow me to be that brave. Black was a little too bold as well. It does look like the best option then is to focus on a metal (like colorblock sock suggested, the cuff in the picture is a nice statement piece), and some more delicate jewelry for balance. I've ordered a gold arm cuff and a delicate bracelet for the opposite arm. I hadn't thought of coral makeup (not a coral lip, but rather coral/peach makeup), and that seems like it would be fun to play with.

Found a pair of tan flat strappy sandals with a bit of gold decoration on them, and will carry a neutral wrap in case it gets chilly. No idea what I'll do about a wristlet or clutch, but the suggestions here are perfect. Thank you all again!
posted by Everydayville at 4:56 PM on May 28, 2017