Whether you're the type of dresser who loves experimenting with trends [1] or likes sticking to your tried-and-true basics, there's one style element that can unite both sides of the spectrum: color. Regardless of what's new and exciting or what's reliable and easy, color is a way to bridge the gap. It can be the thing that makes you feel stylish and the thing that brings you comfort.
This spring in particular has ushered in a slew of bright seasonal hues that feel fresh yet familiar — especially when worn in simple ways and with staple pieces. Take notes from our editors, all of whom are pairing pops of color from Macy's [2] with dependable denim for the season ahead. We may be neutral-lovers ourselves, but even we couldn't resist the siren song of buttery yellow or juicy tomato red. By pairing a trending shade with a classic silhouette like a cardigan or button-down, we found the trick to seamlessly combining style and comfort.
Tomato Red
"Say what you want about color theory, complementing skin tones, or color personalities, but red looks fantastic on everybody. Period. The same could be said for shades of black or white, but unlike its neutral counterparts, red makes an intentional statement. It's bold, it's vibrant, and when I wear it, I feel empowered. There's just something about that perfect shade of tomato red that feels playful yet elevated. Plus, it's so easy to style. This knit top is a great example. I love how it pops next to denim, but I can also see myself wearing it with a black slip skirt for a night out. A matching red bag [3] ties the look together, while clear jelly mules [4] let the color take center stage. Topping it all off with a red lip? Game over." — Kathleen Owens, editor, branded content
-
[5]
[7]
[9]
Butter Yellow
"As someone who wears almost exclusively neutrals, I like how butter yellow is like a gateway to wearing more color. It's pale enough to not shock my outfit, but still bright and cheerful for spring — plus, it complements a lot of colors already in my wardrobe. This cardigan is such a good seasonal staple — it's the ideal light layer and pairs perfectly with blue denim, brown suede, and silver jewelry [11]." — Stephanie Nguyen, associate director, branded content
-
[12]
[14]
[16]
Sky Blue
"I typically treat following color trends as a spectator sport — one look in my closet proves it. But over the last few months, I've become curious about creating a wardrobe worth color coding. Sadly, every other color making noise this season isn't flattering on me. (I learned my lesson last year wearing a butter yellow bridesmaid dress.) But when I saw that sky blue was trending, I knew the low-key pastel could work for not only my fair skin tone but also with everything else I already own. Some may say wearing light blue is cheating, especially for anyone who owns as many neutrals as I do, but I say it's the smartest way to dip your toes into a trend when you do primarily wear black, white, and beige.
I'm already a fan of wearing oversized, structured shirts with jeans, especially dramatically wide and loose denim, so pairing this button-down top with these frayed-hem pants was a no-brainer. " — Samantha Sasso, senior editor, branded content
-
[18]
[20]
[22]