Yes, You Can Wear Butter Yellow: A Stylist’s Guide to Making It Work
Brown and butter yellow are a natural pairing for fall.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a personal stylist and an editorial stylist? An editorial stylist is styling photo shoots and is focused on how this image will look in an ad campaign or in a magazine. The focus is on what is communicating the vibe that the brand or company is going for. A personal stylist is concentrating on how a person lives and what she is trying to communicate. We’re looking for pieces that are functional for her lifestyle, flatter her frame and at the same time, it’s essential that those pieces communicate her authentic personal style, rather than just highlighting the latest trends.
Of course, if you look at a Venn Diagram of styling, there are folks who do both editorial styling and personal styling. At Poplin, we do client photo shoots to highlight each woman’s transformation and of course, one of the lenses at the shoot is communicating what will photograph well. But really, my time is spent focusing on the client, who she is, and what clothes are going to release her inner confidence.
I bring all of this up now because one of 2025’s colors is Butter Yellow and as I put together this blog post, I can hear a long line of women telling me that they don’t do yellow. Virtually everyone thinks it isn’t flattering- regardless of the shade.
As someone who adores yellow, I find this a little heart breaking. If you don’t love yellow, skip it. But if it’s strangely intriguing to you and you simply haven’t tried it because you assumed you couldn’t, THIS is the post for you. And if you need some inspiration, this guy did it and it killed.
Yes, you can wear butter yellow (if it speaks to you). And I’m about to tell you how while highlighting some of my very favorite finds. Off we go!
How to Wear Butter Yellow as the Seasons Change- Even If You Think You Can’t
Embrace Butter Yellow Accessories
If you are confident that Butter Yellow really doesn’t work with your skin tone, that doesn’t need to eliminate it from your wardrobe. Just opt for pieces that are away from your face. Handbags, pants, shoes, any of these can be paired with pieces that are more flattering against your face. Personally, I’m a super fan of yellow and navy, yellow and white or even yellow and brown. Any of these are a great way to experiment with this approach.
Vintage inspired modern butter yellow handbag.
Try some yellow accents in your delicate jewelry.
BIPOC maker, small boutique, sustainable.
Available up to size 11 in multiple colors.
Available up to size 11 in multiple colors.
Available in a million colors up to size 11 and on sale!
Try Stripes
Sometimes diving into a new color can feel intimidating. I often tell clients that stripes are the gateway print- as in- sure you only have solids in your closet, but you probably also have at least one striped top. And of course, she does. If you feel more comfortable in stripes, try a yellow tee to kick things off and see where it takes you.
Available in multiple colors up to size XL.
Black female designer. Available up to size 12 and in multiple colors. Shop small.
Available in multiple colors and sizes including petite, standard and plus up to size 3X.
Yellow drop crystal earrings.
Commit to the Pop
Some women prefer to have a pop of color and others are ready to go full force with a monochromatic look or bold color blocking. Know yourself and what makes you feel your best. If you lean toward a pop of color, commit to an item that brings you joy and is sure to get lots of compliments, like these gingham yellow pants or these yellow Stan Smiths. Any of the pieces below easily transition from sunny weather to rain and wind. Just layer a spring jacket over the top as the weather cools off. Navy, forest green, orange, kelly green, white, various shades of brown including chocolate brown and denim are stellar pairings for fall.
Available in multiple colors up to size L.
Gender Inclusive Stan Smiths in Butter Yellow. Yes, please!
Female owned. Shop small. Vintage inspired. up to size 10.
Available in multiple colors up to XXL.
The right statement ring does all the work for you.Try a yellow piece for 2025.
Butter yellow wedge heels available up to size 41.
Transform Your Loungewear
You are your most important audience in life and especially when it comes to style. That’s just one of the reasons that upping your loungewear game is an essential component of your style evolution. Love how you look when you catch a glance of yourself in the mirror, even on lazy Sundays.
Loungewear is a delightful opportunity to take bold chances. After all, you are your most frequent audience and if you happen to live with other folks, they are likely a friendly crew who will be supportive of your style experiment. Here are some samples from real Poplin clients to get you started.
Available in multiple colors up to size L.
Butter yellow woven handbag.
Available in multiple colors up to size L.
Mesh Mary Janes in butter yellow. Available up to size 10.
Find a Signature Piece and Own It
Think Anna Wintour and her black sunglasses. (Also fun fact: Did you know that her successor is Candace Bergen’s daughter? The beloved actor who also played a Vogue editor on Sex and the City has a daughter who is now the Editor of Vogue. I love this day.) Back to signature pieces. Wearing the same piece on repeat can be a major style win, especially when it exemplifies your authentic personal style and elevates any look. This butter yellow leather jacket, a jaw dropping cocktail ring or a pair of sneakers are all contenders for your signature piece.
Bright yellow is often associated with our family as we have one bold yellow component in every room as well as outdoor spaces. It’s the same shade of yellow everywhere and is used sparingly to have maximum impact. Coincidentally, yellow was also one of our wedding colors. I do love yellow….
Fine jewelry that you can also wear everyday. Try a yellow stone to mix things up.
Step into fall with this Lamb Napa leather butter yellow vintage inspired jacket. It’s all the things and available up to size XL.
Butter yellow pencil skirt available up to size 12.
Maximize Texture and Details for a More is More Approach
Minimalism has been big for the last several years. This is why you can’t tell a coffee shop in Copenhagen from one in Boise when you’re on IG. I’m a big fan of minimalism when the time is right and when it aligns with your authentic personal style. But for some women, maximalism is the way to go. More is more all the way, my friend. I love a vintage inspired look and the 90’s are going hard right now. Don’t be afraid to layer texture onto print onto texture and find that perfect balance to highlight your butter yellow pieces. Then move on with confidence and own it.
Up to size 18 and there are petite choices in other colors.
Available up to size L.
Available up to size 11 in multiple colors.
Butter yellow beaded necklace for some vintage vibes.
Choose a Timeless Piece
If you aren’t totally sure that Butter Yellow is for you, but you want to try it out, why not pick something that can stay in your closet for years? Perhaps this year you’ll wear it a few times, but then next year, you’ll wear it a few more and over time, it will become second nature. Remember that Classic and Timeless aren’t necessarily the same thing. Classic pieces have a polished slightly conservative or modest vibe while Timeless choices can stay in your closet for years. See these wild yellow patent leather ankle boots? I’ve had a red pair for several years and wear them as often, if not more, than most of my sneakers. For me, they are timeless. A pair of Docs or Birkenstocks are other examples. You get me.
Available in three colors up to size XL.
Shop small with this indie brand up to size large.
Butter yellow mini dress up to size 14.
Butter yellow patent leather ankle boots on super sale!
Available in multiple colors up to size XL.
Petite Tall or Standard butter yellow suit! Available up to size 24 depending on length.
butter yellow slingback heels for the win. Available up to size 10.
Revisit an Old Favorite- This Time, In Butter Yellow
You know what you like. There are specific cuts or styles that you can never get enough of. This time, try one in Butter Yellow and see how that goes for you. Of course, if you know you don’t love this color, there’s no need to try this approach. Also, if you know you don’t love it next to your face- go for something on the bottom or an accessory. But if what has been keeping you from this shade is myths about what will and won’t work, today just might be the day to experiment.
90’s inspired butter yellow sweater. Available up to size XL.
Butter yellow polka dot jeans. Available up to size 14.
Up to size 3X.
Last but certainly not least, Opt for a More Masculine Style to Balance the Feminine Vibe
I often hear clients say that they’d like one of their style words to be “feminine, but not girly.” I get that. There’s a big difference between feminine pieces and items that feel more juvenile. (Mary Janes, for example, can feel girly. We even have some on this list. If you want to avoid pieces that feel too girl, make sure you balance them with more masculine looks or opt for styles that are chunkier, less streamlined.)
These knee high lug boots are a stellar example of a more masculine piece. If you can imagine a stereotypical man wearing the item, it’s masculine. Your authentic personal style will fall somewhere on the masculine/ androgynous/ feminine continuum. The important thing is that you find the place that’s right for you and know that you can continue to evolve along the continuum. Nothing is forever.
The magic is that you can switch things up in one outfit. If you are tempted to try Butter Yellow, but it feels too soft, too girly, perhaps it reminds you of babies? That’s no reason to skip it! Just dive into a masculine piece and then reevaluate your stance.
This butter yellow mini dress has a slit down the back for just the right amount of skin. Available up to size XL.
Super sale! Up to size 41. Butter yellow knee high platform boots.
And there you have it. As a personal stylist for women, it’s so important that I nudge my clients to try new things while still honoring who they are. This is not about following trends. It’s about staying true to yourself but continuing to have a look that feels modern and gives you confidence as you move through the world. If that doesn’t feel like it’s happening for you right now, it might be time to get to know Poplin.
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