7 Ways to Wear Neutral Colors Without Being Boring

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.