Yellow is the color people compliment most and wear least. I see it every time we shoot a new collection: the yellow pieces get the biggest reactions on set, and then customers tell me, "I love it, but I could never pull it off."

I disagree. Yellow is not a color for a certain kind of person. It is a color for a certain kind of mood, and with the right shade and the right pairings, almost anyone can wear it beautifully.

The yellow you choose matters more than anything else

When someone says yellow does not suit them, they usually tried one specific yellow: a bright, cool lemon that can wash out some skin tones. But yellow has a huge range.

• Butter and pale lemon are soft and gentle. Lovely in spring, and easy to pair with white, denim and lavender.
• Sunflower and golden yellow are warm and rich. These flatter a wide range of skin tones, especially warm and deep ones.
• Mustard and ochre are earthy and grown-up. They behave almost like a neutral in fall and pair beautifully with brown, olive and rust.
• Neon and electric yellow are pure energy. Best in small doses or in a print, where the other colors calm them down.

If you have been told yellow is not your color, try golden or mustard before you give up on it.

Start near your face, or far from it

There are two smart ways to begin. A yellow top brightens your complexion and gets the most attention, which is perfect if the shade suits you. If you are unsure, start below the waist with yellow pants or a printed skirt, and keep a neutral near your face. Both work. One is just braver than the other.

You will find tops, bottoms and layers in every shade of sunshine in our Yellow Clothing collection.

What to wear with yellow

Denim. The safest partner yellow has. A yellow tee or sweatshirt with blue jeans looks effortless every time.

White and cream. Fresh and clean, especially with butter and lemon shades.

Gray. Underrated. Gray softens yellow and makes it feel modern and calm.

Navy and cobalt. Blue sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, so the two make each other glow. This is my favorite pairing for a confident outfit.

Purple. The other complementary partner, bold and artistic. Mustard with plum is especially beautiful.

Green. Yellow and green together feel like a garden in full bloom. I wrote a whole guide to wearing green if you want to build on that combination.

Yellow in art, and why it feels so good

Painters have always used yellow to bring light into a canvas. Think of Van Gogh's sunflowers and the glowing skies of his later work. Yellow was the color he reached for when he wanted a painting to feel alive. You can see that spirit in our Great Artists collection, where famous masterpieces become clothing you can wear.

There is a reason it works. Yellow is closely tied to sunlight, optimism and energy, which is why so many people feel happier wearing it. I explore that connection in Color Psychology in Clothing.

Yellow prints are the easiest way in

If a head-to-toe yellow look feels like too much, let a print do the work. Florals, abstract designs and patchwork often use yellow as the accent that makes every other color pop. You get the cheerful effect without feeling like you are wearing a highlighter.

A good rule: pick one solid color from the print for the rest of your outfit. If the print has yellow and navy, a navy pant finishes the look. If you want to understand why prints like these are having a moment, read Why Pattern and Print Are Returning to Fashion.

Wear yellow in every season

Spring and summer: pale lemon and bright sunflower with white, denim and sandals.

Fall: mustard and ochre with olive, brown and rust. A mustard sweatshirt over a printed pant is one of my favorite autumn outfits.

Winter: a golden yellow layer against gray, navy or black is the brightest thing on a dark day. Add a colorful rain jacket and you will never look gloomy in the rain.

Yellow asks you to be seen, and that is exactly the point. Start with one piece, find your shade, and notice how many people smile at you that day. Then come back and tell me you still cannot pull it off.