How to Wear Yellow

A guide for all seasons

In color analysis, we equate yellow with warmth. We look for yellow to determine warm undertones. In specific colors, the more yellow a color has, the warmer it is.

So, of course, yellow is considered a warm color, and the warm seasons – Springs and Autumns - can surely wear its many shades.

Most people think of this shade (above, left) when we think of yellow.

Yellow is a bold color that grabs attention. It can help you radiate positivity, often making the wearer appear more approachable and cheerful to others. 

Psychologically, it can boost your mood and confidence, but in large doses, it may feel overwhelming or create anxiety. Wearing yellow is a good choice that can make you stand out. 

Of course, there are many different shades of yellow. 

Pure Yellow is intrinsically light in value (near the top of Munsell's color tree), clear, and saturated (on the outer branch of the tree). They are best for Springs, who are also light, clear, and warm. 

For Autumns, their best shades of yellow are darker and richer, being lower on the Munsell tree, heavier and less saturated (toward the tree trunk).

The seasons who can truly harmonize with the light, clear shades of yellow are the Springs.

The richer, darker shades of yellow, like golden Yellow, honey, & mustard, are best for Autumns.

Can Cool Seasons Wear Yellow?

That is the question.

Traditionally, yellow has been included in Winter and Summer palettes. It is usually listed as "Lemon Yellow." I, too, added it in my swatches but only reluctantly. Yellow is very warm. Period.

It was hard to find a "cool yellow" when I was choosing shades from my Pantone book for my swatches. But one of my clients said to me when I asked her opinion about yellow, "I can't imagine not being able to have a yellow in my palette" (She's a cool winter). So I included it - the closest I could find to a lemon yellow. 

So how do Cool seasons wear Yellow if they truly cannot live without it?

For Winters, make sure the Yellow is ultra-clear and has no hint of red to it. Think of adding a touch of white paint to yellow paint.

Below is a Clear Winter wearing an Autumn yellow. NOT good. Lighten it to a lemony yellow, and it is much more tolerable.

Of course, if she wears only her best colors like true blue, avoiding yellow all together, her looks much better. 

Her beautiful eyes will take center stage, especially if she wears cool-based makeup. 

Tip: As a cool season, do not wear yellow based makeup. 

For clothes you can sometimes get away with less than ideal colors. But with makeup, it is less forgiving. 

So, if you are cool and really want to wear yellow, try to find a 'cool' yellow

When you visualize cooler yellows vs. warmer yellows, you can see the cooler shade must not have a hint of red to it. Ideally you will want a pure yellow that is lighter that seems to have been 'tinted' lightly with white. 

The same goes for Summers. Try to find a pastel yellow, not one that has been desaturated or muted,  but simply lightened to a pretty pastel.

Yellow For Springs and Autumns

Springs (above) look great in clear, bright, relatively light yellows. Springs will look good in most clear yellows from warm ivory to bright warm Yellow.

Since Autumns (above), can range from quite light to the deepest values, their best shades range from buttery yellow, to all shades of mustard, to the most rich golden yellows.

Tip: many lighter soft autumns find mustard too much for them. Lighter soft shades such as honey, amber, banana, butter, etc., are some more suitable shades.

One more Autumn tip: The darker a Deep Autumn is, the brighter her yellows can be. 

This is because Deep Autumns can handle much higher contrast than any other Autumn. 

Plus, she flows into Winter, and the brighter lemon yellows Deep Winters can enjoy, Deep Autumns can also enjoy. 

While they are a blended season undertones, she is still an Autumn and can go very warm with colors if she chooses too. 

Yellow For Winters and Summers

My advice to Summers and Winters is to avoid if possible, but if you just can't:

Summers' yellows should be light, cool, and fluffy. Think of the lemon meringue cookie, or simply a powdery pastel yellow. 

Winters need clear and bright yellows with no hint of red/orange to it. Lemon Yellow is good.

If you find your yellow is still too warm, use it in smaller doses, with your best palette colors being the most prominent.