Yellow remains popular as an accent color. As you may recall from my article on the psychology of color, yellow is associated with laughter, happiness, optimism and good times. In this article you’ll find out how to wear yellow including the colors that go best with this cheery shade.

All the more reason to wear it wholeheartedly. As the world is going through some tough times right now, anything to bring some cheer can only be a good thing. Below are plenty of tips and tricks to help you to put together flattering yellow outfits. 

First, you may like to discover which hue of yellow is right for you

How to wear yellow outfits?

If you’re going to wear yellow, you will need the perfect yellow clothing and accessories.

yellow shirt

How to wear yellow - Carmen in a yellow shirt | 40plusstyle.com

Carmen @carmen_gimeno above looks beautiful in her yellow shirt and floral pants.

Check out these printed wide leg pants from ba&sh, Karen M

illen, Molly Bracken and ECOWISH. Here is a similar shirt (another option here), clutch, sandals and sunglasses.

COS Oversized Printed Silk-Blend Shirt | 40plusstyle.com

COS Oversized Printed Silk-Blend Shirt

The perfect yellow top outfit

Yellow can be easily worn as a top. Fabulous with neutral bottoms like blue jeans, white or black.

If solid yellow is too bright for you, then choose a striped one. You can minimize the effect of the yellow by combining your yellow top (like a tank) with a blazer in a more neutral color.

This will still give you the hip vibrancy of yellow without the yellow overpowering you too much.

I love the draped style of this soft yellow tunic (below) which would be ideal if you’re looking for a top to wear with leggings or skinny jeans.

LARACE Swing Tunic Top | 40plusstyle.com

LARACE Swing Tunic Top

For a more fitted option, you could choose a yellow wrap top.

Made by Johnny wrap front dolman top | 40plusstyle.com

Made by Johnny Wrap Front Dolman Top

There are more tops to wear with your leggings in this article on how to wear leggings over 40.

The perfect yellow blouse

Of course, yellow doesn’t have to be very bright and “in-your-face”. You can go for a much more subtle approach with either a mustard or lemony or pastel yellows.

Look out for options in linen or cotton to keep you cool in the warmer months or go for a beautiful silk shirt in a deeper yellow to create a high-end feel.

Or how about the mustard tie-waist top from Amazon (below) which would look great worn with leggings or skinny jeans.

Romwe belted peplum blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Romwe Belted Peplum Blouse

The perfect yellow dress outfit

Yellow dress, sandals and black accessories | 40plusstyle.com

COS Printed Maxi DressFly London Ankle Strap SandalYYW Straw BagHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

If you want to make a statement with your yellow, then wearing a yellow dress can be the perfect way to do so.

I’d keep it relatively simple and team with neutrals like blacks, whites, metallics or browns. But, you could, of course, decide to opt for a contrast and wear a color like blue or a pattern like leopard print to bring a touch of the unexpected to your outfit.

A yellow dress could be the perfect option to keep you cool and stylish in summer.

COS Printed Maxi Dress | 40plusstyle.com

COS Printed Maxi Dress

The perfect yellow blazer

Everyone from No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani to Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria has been rocking the yellow blazer trend! It looks great teamed with Breton stripes, blues and whites.

If you already have a striped top and a pair of jeans in your wardrobe, this could be the perfect way to update them.

Many of the blazers I’ve seen in stores recently have been double-breasted, which can be a tricky style to wear as they can add unwanted width.

However, if you opt for a blazer with nice, clean lines, this can be universally flattering as well as versatile. You can wear over jeans, pants or a dress for a more formal event.

Michel Open Front Blazer | 40plusstyle.com

Michel Open Front Blazer

Yellow jackets

Tanasha in a yellow and purple outfit | 40plusstyle.com

To add a pop of color to any outfit, how about choosing a yellow denim jacket rather than the usual blue? Or a yellow moto jacket rather than black?

Tanasha @prettytallstyle above pairs yellow with purple to put together a striking, stylish outfit.

Recreate her outfit with this similar moto jacket, pants, sandals, handbag and earrings.

Jacket and dress outfit | 40plusstyle.com

LifeShe Denim JacketClub Monaco Side Button Linen Blend SundressDREAM PAIRS Espadrille SandalKate Spade New York Market Stripe Fabric Medium ToteStella + Ruby Ava Drop Earrings

LifeShe denim jacket | 40plusstyle.com

LifeShe Denim Jacket

Bellivera faux leather moto jacket | 40plusstyle.com

Bellivera Faux Leather Moto Jacket

Yellow sweater

A yellow sweater could be perfect for staying warm on cool summer nights. Simply team with jeans and sneakers or boots.

EDSTAR Batwing Sleeves Sweater | 40plusstyle.com

EDSTAR Batwing Sleeves Sweater

Yellow cardigan

You could also add a yellow cardigan as a cover-up. A longer style will create nice long, lean lines.

LALABEE open front draped cardigan | 40plusstyle.com

LALABEE Open Front Draped Cardigan

The perfect yellow coat

Coat, shirt and jeans outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Lauren Ralph Lauren Short Trench CoatCOS Oversized T-ShirtPAIGE Laurel Canyon High Waist Bootcut JeansFly London Ankle Strap SandalSalvatore Ferragamo Travel Leather ToteOpen Edit Geo Link Collar Necklace

If you are not afraid of the color, yellow can look fabulous on a coat.

It will brighten up any darker days in fall and winter and add a ray of sunshine in summer. Yellow looks fabulous with a black and white outfit and makes the overall look really chic!

If you have a summer wedding or event to attend, you could team a monochrome dress with a yellow coat.

A great way to wear a yellow coat can be to opt for a truly classic style like a trench, a leather biker or a duster and to update this through your use of bright, sunny yellow.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Short Trench Coat | 40plusstyle.com

Lauren Ralph Lauren Short Trench Coat

The perfect yellow pants outfit

How to wear yellow and brighten up your day | 40plusstyle.com

Yellow pants can be a great way to make a casual style statement.

If you don’t like yellow too close to your face you may opt for a yellow pair of pants instead. I like to combine mine with neutral colors like white and black, so the color does not overpower me too much.

It you have a black and white top, this would be perfect to match with yellow pants.

A pair of tailored pants could be a good addition to your summer wardrobe. I can see these going with a casual striped or plain tee, or with a silk shirt or blouse for lunch out with friends and family.

Above, I am wearing wearing a linen jacket (another option here) and a pair of pants (another option here) from Massimo Dutti and a shirt from COS (another option here). Check out this similar sneakers, bag, earrings and sunglasses.

Burband Bootcut Dress Pants | 40plusstyle.com

Burband Bootcut Dress Pants

The perfect yellow jeans

For a more casual approach to yellow pants, you could always opt for jeans instead.

A crop or skinny style would be perfect for summer. As these will be the hero piece in your outfit, you can keep the rest of your look clean and simple, perhaps pairing with a white shirt or tee, or a striped sweater.

A pale pastel shade of yellow adds subtle color to your outfit. Or could choose a bright yellow like the jeggings (below).

YELETE Basic Five Pocket Stretch Jeggings | 40plusstyle.con

YELETE Basic Five Pocket Stretch Jeggings

The perfect yellow skirt outfit

You could opt for a yellow skirt. I wear my own yellow skirt frequently, either dressed up or down, and take it on most of my vacations.

A yellow skirt looks good teamed with most striped, polka dot or patterned tops.

You can opt for an a-line or fuller style in linen or cotton for a more casual summer look which would be ideal for vacations. Or, look for a piece in satin or silk which would be lovely for more formal events.

Ted Baker London Jaune Asymmetric Twist Skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Ted Baker London Jaune Asymmetric Twist Skirt

The perfect yellow shoes outfit

Natalia wears yellow shoes with her neutral outfit | 40plusstyle.com

I love the sense of fun that wearing brightly colored shoes can bring to an outfit.

Plus, this is such an easy way to update your closet and add a talking point to pieces you already wear.

Shoes can make a big impact to your outfit and adding a bit of yellow here is very hip. Yellow shoes look perfect with neutral outfits or any other outfit that has just a little bit of yellow in it.

You could wear an all navy outfit and add a pop of yellow with your shoes, or add yellow to a monochrome dress for a formal event or a lunch out with friends and family.

Or, you could opt for a pair of yellow sneakers to wear with your jeans.

A pair of yellow sandals with a relatively low block heel could be a good buy for summer as they will be easy to wear and walk in, while adding oomph to your existing closet.

Natalia @odin.stylish.me above wears a neutral outfit and then adds pops of yellow with her shoes and bag.

Steal her look with this similar top (another option here), skirt, sandals, tote, belt and sunglasses.

There are more stylish yellow shoes options for you below.

Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat | 40plusstyle.com

Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat

J. Adams Daisy Block Heel Sandal | 40plusstyle.com

J. Adams Daisy Block Heel Sandal

SHCRTK Low Top Canvas Sneaker | 40plusstyle.com

SHCRTK Low Top Canvas Sneaker

The perfect yellow accessories to wear with neutrals or your yellow clothing

Accessorising with yellow and blue | 40plusstyle.com

Genhoo Open Front BlazerLafayette 148 New York Perla Reversible Silk BlouseMavi Jeans Barcelona High Waist Raw Hem Wide Leg JeansBOSTANTEN Leather Bucket BagAMARANTOS Kitten Heel PumpBOCAR Beaded Necklace

If you are not too keen on wearing color but still like to liven up your outfit with a bit of sunshine, then accessorizing is the way to go. It is an excellent way to add color to your outfit and take it to the next level.

You can see yellow is very nice with an all-white outfit or a black and white combination. Just add a yellow bag, belt, scarf or necklace and you’re good to go.

This is by far the easiest way to add a bit of yellow to your wardrobe and still get the benefits.

The bag below will elevate any look. It can fit all of your essentials and its design and shape are very classic so you can wear for season after season.

BOSTANTEN Leather Bucket Bag | 40plusstyle.com

BOSTANTEN Leather Bucket Bag

Or you could opt for a yellow scarf to brighten up your outfits.

Plum Feathers Pashmina Shawl | 40plusstyle.com

Plum Feathers Pashmina Shawl

Colors that go with yellow

Color combinations with yellow | 40plusstyle.com

So, now that you have your yellow basics sorted, what other colors are you going to wear with them? What are your favorite colors to wear with your yellow? Below are some of my own favorites. Let me know what you think.

Black and yellow outfits

Jamie wears her black dress with yellow accessories | 40plusstyle.com

Jamie @moreturquoise above (read her style interview here) shows how you can make your favorite black dress look totally different just by choosing bright shoes and accessories. She adds yellow and red to her look.

Get her look with this similar dress, sandals, belt, bag, sunglasses and earrings.

Black and yellow outfits | 40plusstyle.com

Outfit 1: COS Printed Maxi DressFly London Ankle Strap SandalYYW Straw BagHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

Outfit 2: Breezy Lane KimonoHilor One Piece Front Crossover SwimsuitSam Edelman Bay Flat SandalHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

Outfit 3: AllSaints Mira Side Ruched Cotton T-Shirt7 For All Mankind High Waist Crop Straight Leg JeansFly London Ankle Strap SandalSalvatore Ferragamo Travel Leather ToteOpen Edit Geo Link Collar Necklace

Yellow and white outfits

White and yellow outfits | 40plusstyle.com

Outfit 1: COS Oversized Printed Silk-Blend ShirtWit & Wisdom ‘Ab’Solution High Waist Ankle Skinny PantsDREAM PAIRS Espadrille SandalCharming Tailor PU ClutchLorsoilyn Raffia Earrings 

Outfit 2: LifeShe Denim JacketClub Monaco Side Button Linen Blend SundressDREAM PAIRS Espadrille SandalKate Spade New York Market Stripe Fabric Medium ToteStella + Ruby Ava Drop Earrings

Outfit 3: Beninos 3/4 Sleeve BlazerLafayette 148 New York Perla Reversible Silk BlouseTed Baker London Jaune Asymmetric Twist SkirtFly London Ankle Strap SandalTory Burch Kira Small Chevron Camera BagStella + Ruby Ava Drop Earrings

Blue and yellow outfit

Dayle wears teal and yellow | 40plusstyle.com

Wearing yellow and blue is a classic combination. Opting for a navy shade is an easy way to get this look. But you could also choose cobalt or paler shade of blue.

Dayle @artfulcitystyle above (read her style interview here) teams teal with yellow. You can choose any shade of blue to go with your yellow.

Recreate her look with this similar top, jeans, sandals (another option here), necklace and bracelets.

Blue and yellow outfits | 40plusstyle.com

Outfit 1: COS Belted T-Shirt DressWit & Wisdom JeggingsAMARANTOS Kitten Heel PumpTory Burch Kira Small Chevron Camera BagBOCAR Beaded Necklace

Outfit 2: Genhoo Open Front BlazerLafayette 148 New York Perla Reversible Silk BlouseMavi Jeans Barcelona High Waist Raw Hem Wide Leg JeansBOSTANTEN Leather Bucket BagAMARANTOS Kitten Heel PumpBOCAR Beaded Necklace

Outfit 3: EDSTAR Batwing Sleeves SweaterModegal Satin Midi SkirtDREAM PAIRS Ballet FlatFashionPuzzle Envelope Clutch BagHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

With an unexpected bright pop of color

Of course, you could always team your yellow with other bright colors.

Yellow with a pop of color | 40plusstyle.com

Outfit 1: LifeShe Denim JacketCOS Racer-Neck Midi DressDREAM PAIRS Ballet FlatBOSTANTEN Leather Bucket BagHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

Outfit 2: EDSTAR Batwing Sleeves SweaterBOSS Talengo Wide Leg Linen Blend TrousersFly London Ankle Strap SandalSalvatore Ferragamo Travel Leather ToteHEIDKRUEGER Woven Rattan Earrings

Outfit 3: Lauren Ralph Lauren Short Trench CoatCOS Oversized T-ShirtPAIGE Laurel Canyon High Waist Bootcut JeansFly London Ankle Strap SandalSalvatore Ferragamo Travel Leather ToteOpen Edit Geo Link Collar Necklace

A capsule wardrobe featuring yellow

Below is a capsule wardrobe featuring yellow, which puts together many of the clothes and accessories used above. There are 9 outfits here, but you could easily mix and match to create plenty of different combinations.

A yellow capsule wardrobe | 40plusstyle.com

shop some of the items above here:

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

More yellow fashion inspiration for you

We created different yellow capsule wardrobes in the past which we still like to share with you.

Although these exact items are no longer available in stores, these capsule wardrobes will still give you lots of ideas on how to add yellow to your wardrobe.

You may even be able to recreate these looks with items already in your wardrobe.

Blue and yellow outfits | 40plusstyle.com
A yellow capsule wardrobe | 40plusstyle.com
A yellow capsule wardrobe featuring black and white | 40plusstyle.com

Do you already have some yellow outfits in your wardrobe? How would you style the color yellow? I’d love to know in the comments below.

Continue reading:

  1. How To Wear Red – Your Comprehensive Guide On Wearing The Color Of Love!
  2. How To Wear Orange? 7 Color Combinations To Get You Started!
  3. Can You Wear Beige Over 40?

Like this article on how to wear yellow outfits? Save it on Pinterest!

How to wear yellow and brighten up your day | 40plusstyle.com

Feature image by Carmen @carmen_gimeno

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.

You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!