7 Ways to Wear Neutral Colors Without Being Boring

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We often conflate neutral with boring and lackluster. Wearing shades of brown, black, grey and white doesn't have to look and feel ordinary and deja-vu. The key to making neutral tones pop is to get creative with layering, mixing and matching different tones to create contrast, opt for pieces with character and detail, and not hold back on accessories. Wow, that was a mouth full! Here are 10 outfit ideas that will inspire you to add a bold spin to your neutral looks.

1. Jeans and a checkered sweater

The key here is to play with bold prints to add life to a neutral and tonal outfit. I paired a checkered turtleneck sweater with slim black jeans and a big collar wrap coat for an easy after-hours and weekend look. Tip: for the office, just swap the jeans with a black pair of pants et voila!

A close-up photo of a woman wearing black slim jeans with a grey checkered sweater and a grey coat. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter.

A fashion editorial photo of a woman wearing slim black jeans with a grey checkered sweater and holding a grey coat. She has on brown ankle boots and appears to be walking. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter.

2. Black faux leather skirt with houndstooth sweater

If there's one thing that will take your look from simple to edgy instantly, it's a leather bottom. And workwear-wise, a black leather pencil skirt is perfect for the office when paired with dressy shoes and a dressy top. Here I went for a camel and black houndstooth sweater that I topped with a camel coat for that sophisticated touch.

A fashion editorial photo of woman wearing a black leather skirt with tall black boots and a beige houndstooth sweater. Her coat hangs over her shoulders and she appears to be by a street sign post. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter.

A fashion editorial photo of woman wearing a black leather skirt with a beige houndstooth sweater. Her coat hangs over her shoulders and she is standing by glass windows. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter.

3. Khaki pants with a belted green top

Okay, so the thing to remember when it comes to neutrals is that color shouldn't be excluded. Think light khaki tones that add a touch of color without taking away the overall neutral vibe. This look shows perfectly how to mix tones to create visually appealing neutral style.

A fashion editorial photo of a woman wearing off-white khaki pants with a belted green jacket. Her shoes are Sam Edelman green heeled pumps and she is holding a green Tomoli handbag. She is standing and shoulder-robing an off-white coat. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter style.

4. Brown checkered dress

As I mentioned before, prints are a great way to spice up a neutral outfit. Here I paired a checkered brown sweater dress with brown boots and a crochet brown scarf because accessories are important with neutrals.

A fashion editorial photo of a woman wearing a brown checkered sweater dress with brown boots and a brown scarf. She is standing by a wall. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter style.

5. Blue jeans with striped sweater

Blue jeans have become this quintessential wardrobe piece that just goes with everything. Pair them with bright colors and you have a striking color-blocked effect. Or wear them with soft hues for a neutral vibe. Here I opted for bold stripes to create some color contrast and really take this look to the next level.

A fashion editorial photo showing a woman wearing cropped skinny jeans with brown boots and an off-white/camel striped sweater. She has on a camel coat and appears to be crossing a street. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter style.

6. Black sweater dress with fur scarf and tote

Who doesn't like the soft feel of fur? Not only does it feel super cozy during the cooler months, but fur also adds beautiful texture to an outfit. For this neutral look, I paired a black dress with a fur scarf and a fur tote. I also went for snake-print boots for more texture throughout and a standout effect against the black dress.

A fashion editorial photo showing a woman wearing a black dress with snakeprint boots and a grey/beige fur scarf. She is holding a grey fur bag and has on a winter hat. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter style.

7. Blue jeans with a neutral sweater and checkered coat

Notice the matchy-matchy action here. Although no color is popping on this look, the bold patterns create visual interest. The checkered coat colors match the bicolor boots perfectly, and so does the sweater. Again, texture is important hence why I opted for a crochet sweater so the finished look wouldn't be "flat". And as always, distressed jeans always bring a vibe of their own which is why I can never get enough of them!

A fashion editorial photo of a woman wearing distressed blue jeans with a beige sweater and a checkered black and beige coat. She has on Alohas bicolor boots and is shoulder-robing her coat. This is a neutral outfit idea for Fall and Winter style.

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5 office outfit ideas that prove you can have wine at work

A fashion and style editorial photo showing a close-up of a woman wearing black pants with a white shirt and a belted burgundy blazer. She's holding a burgundy leather handbag.

Unless you're a bartender, chances are wine is nowhere to be found at your workplace. For good reasons. Now, wine comes in many forms and just because you can't have a glass of liquid wine at work doesn't mean you can't have it in other forms. Whether it's a burgundy knit sweater, or a dark red leather skirt, a touch of wine can bring richness and polish to office looks. In fact, wine not only radiates professional gravitas, but it is also more of a neutral shade than we tend to think. Have you tried matching berry shades with yellow? or with green? or even beige? You'll be delighted to find that you can easily substitute berry colors for black. They're that easy to match! And despite the fact that they're typically associated with Fall, wine hues can be seasonless depending on the type of garment. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll notice that I love my wine, casually or professionally - an interesting fact for someone who doesn't drink alcohol! Here are 5 outfit ideas that will inspire you to bring more wine to the office.

1. Burgundy Turtleneck with Camel Pants and Coat

One of my favorite colors to pair with wine is camel. You know, that deep shade of beige that has become a neutral staple. We have all seen this hue be paired with black almost as a reflex for everyone. But what if you swapped that black sweater with a burgundy one? That's exactly what I did here, and let me tell you, it felt amazing. The color combination is special in the way that it can feel neutral and colorful at the same time. Here I wore a burgundy merino wool turtleneck sweater with matching suede pumps (Sam Edelman Hazel pumps), and belted camel-colored pants and coat.

A fashion and style editorial photo showing influencer Farotelle wearing a color-blocked office outfit. She is wearing khaki pants with a matching camel-colored coat and a burgundy turtleneck sweater. She is also wearing Burgundy suede pumps.

2. Burgundy Sweater with Printed Slip Dress

Okay, I probably sound like a broken record saying how much prints can set a look apart. But it's true. Where a solid color would look ordinary, a print brings distinction and personality. Here I paired a printed slip dress with a berry knit sweater and Vince Camuto Carlymas boots in burgundy. Not to digress, but these are some comfortable boots. The kind you wear and strut like it's nobody's business. Anyway, back to the outfit. This is a simple look anyone can pull off for work or even off-work hours.

A fashion and style editorial photo showing influencer Farotelle wearing a red printed slip dress with a burgundy sweater and burgundy boots. She is holding a burgundy oblong-shaped leather handbag.

3. Monochrome Burgundy Knit Skirt and Sweater

A monochrome look is one of those things that require no hard thinking but can look so polished and elaborate. When I struggle to decide what to wear, or just don't feel inspired to mix and match colors, I default to wearing the same hue head-to-toe. And that shortcut (if I can call it that) never fails to deliver a totally pulled together allure. Here I went for a look that was simple in color but rich in texture to make it interesting. I paired a sweater skirt with a belted suede-like sweater and knee-high boots, all in a deep wine color. Talk about wine love!

A fashion and style editorial photo showing influencer Farotelle wearing a monochromatic burgundy outfit. The outfit consists of a burgundy knit pencil sweater skirt, a burgundy belted sweater, burgundy knee-high boots, and an oblong-shaped burgundy leather handbag.

4. Color-Blocked Burgundy and Camel Skirt with Sweater

One thing we can't deny is that Fall and Winter are knit seasons. And in knit season, one must wear all the knit they can find because good knit goes a long way to bring warmth and comfort when temps are low. Here I went for a midi sweater skirt in a camel tone and paired it with a burgundy turtleneck sweater and burgundy Sam Edelman Hazel pumps for a simple but super polished office look. Doesn't this color combination put you in the mood for strawberry pie?

A fashion and style editorial photo showing influencer Farotelle wearing a color-blocked knit outfit. The outfit consists of a camel-colored knit midi skirt, a burgundy turtleneck sweater, burgundy pumps, and a burgundy leather handbag. The look is cinched with a wide brown waist belt.

5. Simple Black and White Outfit with a Burgundy Blazer

Black pants. White button-down shirt. It doesn't get more essential than those two pieces when it comes to workwear. I mean, you could just throw on these to and call it a day. With shoes of course! Or, to take it up a notch, you could add a burgundy blazer with a matching belt, and matching shoes. Here I opted for these burgundy boots, not just because they're super comfy, but also because that's what the current weather calls for. The full look gives off a very business professional vibe that stands out beautifully. This is definitely one of my favorite outfits to wear to work. For weekends, simply swap the black pants for blue jeans, and slip on some casual sneakers.

A fashion and style editorial photo showing influencer Farotelle in a business professional outfit. She is wearing black culottes with a white shirt under a belted burgundy blazer, and burgundy boots. She is also holding a classic burgundy leather satchel bag.

If you didn't know, now you know that wine is perfectly fine at work. You just have to know what kind and how to bring it in (wink, wink!)

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5 Colorful and Printed Dresses I absolutely Love for the Summer

Farotelle Fashion Stylist Influencer Wearing Red Summer Dress with Flower Pattern

We may have different opinions on how low to set the thermostat during the Summer, but I'm sure we can all agree that Summer is synonymous with 'dress season'. And yes, we can wear dresses all year round, but the high temps of the Summer make for so much flexibility when it comes to dress cuts, fabrics, and lengths. If not during the Summer, then when else would you comfortably wear a linen dress? or a sleeveless maxi dress? or show off all those bright and fun prints? (because remember, during the Winter, those get covered with coats!) Summer earned its #DressSeason moniker for so many reasons! And personally speaking, Summer is the perfect time to play with bold prints that add serious distinction to even the simplest dress cut. I've turned to Ankara fabric for its lively patterns and cotton weave that deliver so much ease and comfort when it's hot out there. Here are some of my favorite dresses that I am excited to parade around this Summer.

1. Red and Yellow Floral Print Maxi Dress

Bold and contrastive prints, maxi length, timeless shirt-dress cut. You just can't go wrong with a number that packs that much punch! I've worn this one to brunch, for weekend errands, and even for casual work gatherings. It's that versatile and I'm loving it!

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful maxi printed dress. The dress has a shirt-dress cut and a red and yellow floral pattern. Platform espadrilles sandals and a Tomoli red handbag complete the outfit.

An outfit close-up picture showing style influencer Farotelle wearing a print dress. The dress has a red and yellow floral pattern. She accessorized it with colorful bangles and a color-blocked red handbag.

2. Turquoise Flutter-sleeve Print Midi Dress

A cute and comfy vibe is as simple as this dress! It was love at first sight with this beautiful shell print. It reminds me of the beach and instantly puts me in a relaxed vacation mood. Plus the dress cut is so effortless and chic. I love the feminine touch that those flutter sleeves and tiered skirt add to the picture. I've worn this one for leisurely outings while on vacation and for casual weekend activities. This number is a doozy!

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful Summer maxi dress. The dress has flutter sleeves and a shell-patterned print in turquoise and brown. She completed the outfit with chunky black sandals by Vagabond and a black waist belt.

A top view of style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful Summer maxi dress. The dress has flutter sleeves and a shell-patterned print in turquoise and brown. She completed the outfit with chunky black sandals by Vagabond and a black waist belt.

3. Blue Multi-Colored Print Midi Dress

When a dress delivers the distinction and changeability that this one does, you waste no time adding it to your wardrobe! Not only do I love the distinctive print and simple cut of this dress, I am completely obsessed with the removable collar design. What a difference it makes! Wear the dress without it and you have an everyday, effortless outfit that really could take you anywhere. Add the square-shaped collar and boom! You instantly set a sleek, super classy, I've-got-business-to-tend-to tone. Talk about versatility! I've worn the dress with strappy sandals and lace-up pumps and am thinking about pairing it with boots come Fall. Stay tuned to find out more ways I wear this one!

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful printed midi dress. This is a sleeveless Ankara dress that is styled with a yellow belt and yellow strappy sandals. Farotelle has short black natural hair. She is standing against a wall.

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful Ankara midi dress. The dress has a distinctive blue and yellow print and a square collar. Farotelle is wearing the dress with a blue belt. There is a building with glass windows in the background.

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful Ankara midi Summer dress. The dress features a distinctive multi-colored print and has a square collar. Lace-up pumps and a blue belt complete the outfit. There is a building in the background.

4. Orange Full Print Dress

How I like my cups, my life, and my Summer dresses: full! And this orange dress brings on the fullness, alright! It's another simple cut that's elevated by a bright hue, subtle print and that swirly bottom. I like to wear it with a belt to accentuate the fit-and-full cut and also add a bit of color contrast. This has been a weekend's go-to just because of how fun it is.

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful orange maxi dress. This is an Ankara dress with a full skirt and a fitted top. Farotelle styled it with a contrasting wide blue belt. There's greenery in the background.

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a colorful orange maxi dress. This is an Ankara dress with a full skirt and a fitted top. Farotelle styled it with a contrasting wide blue belt and orange flat sandals. There's greenery in the background.

5. Bright Chartreuse Floral Print Dress

First of all, let me confess that this number is not actually a dress! But could you tell? That's the beauty of a coordinated set. It can pass for a dress any time! I love the bright, chartreuse hue that underscores this floral print. It's one of those colors that will amp up your spirits no matter your mood. Another number I love to parade around on weekends. I typically pair it with strappy sandals (those are my favorite if you hadn't noticed already) and a casual bag for an easy vibe.

Style influencer Farotelle wearing a bright chartreuse Summer midi dress. The dress is sleeveless and has a floral pattern. She paired it with chartreuse strappy sandals and a blue bucket bag. She is leaning against guardrails and there are windows in the background.

I could go on and on about printed dresses because I love them so much! If you have not tried a bold print dress, I hope this post inspires you to step outside your comfort zone and make a print-y statement this Summer. These pieces are all custom orders so unfortunately not available for purchase but I'm working on it (wink!) Until next time!