May 16, 2024

Five Ways to Wear Primary Colours

Whether you prefer zingy citrus shades or old-skool punchy primaries, this season we’ve seen a crayon-box of colour arrive on the rails. Offering a welcome source of brightness on dull days, these colourful hues look positively playful when the sun shines. In case you're feeling unsure about this new palette, we talk you though the ways to work this season’s brights into your your wardrobe.

1. Pair with Denim

The starting point of wearing any colour is having the right shades to mix it with. To avoid getting too involved in colour theory, we’ll keep it simple and recommend denim as a solid base to work with. This perennial favourite goes with everything and is the perfect foundation upon which to build an outfit. Sessun’s Leone Overshirt and Johnny O Jeans are the ideal pieces to pair back the brighter prints this season.

In the window: Sessun Leone Overshirt is paired with Bobo Choses Confetti Dress; Bellerose Datti Sweater worn with Sessun Johnny O Jeans and Bobo Choses Summer Landscape Bag. Sunray's Hiaka T-Shirt in Fire Whirl is featured with Bobo Choses Confetti Skirt.

Zesty citrus shades look particularly fresh when worn with summer’s light-wash blues, so team Bellerose's Pactol Denim Shorts with a Datti Sweater in Miami Green to give a pop of colour. Keep the look low-key with a pair of classic Novesta High Tops, like these Star Dribble in Beige Transparant.

2. Go All In

If you're feeling bold, summer’s cropped shapes and sleeveless styles make head-to-toe dressing a realistic proposition – tanned arms and legs will break up the column of colour. The simplicity of wearing one hue certainly has appeal – and one of the easiest ways to achieve this look is with a simple summer dress, like the colourful linen options from L.F. Markey. If you're more of a co-ord kid, opt for the Maxim Linen Shirt and Shorts in Cobalt Blue, all cut from light, breathable fabric with an exaggerated silhouette. Toughen up the look with a pair of chunky black sandals from Shoedesign Copenhagen and stacks of gold rings from Lepagon.

L.F. Markey Linen Shift Dress in Grass, Maxim Shirt and Linen Shorts in Cobalt Blue.

3. More is More

For those comfortable wearing brights, this is your time to mix and match. Earn some serious style marks by clashing tones, patterns, shapes and textures to really bring the vibrant trend to life. This season, the brilliant folk at Folk have done the work for you with their tulip print fabric designed in collaboration with the artist Rose Electra Harris. Available in a scoop back vest or classic slip dress, these pieces balance simple garment shapes with the colourful creativity of the print.

Yasmin wears YMC's Peggy Trousers with Folk's Scoop Back Vest in Red Tulip and the Novesta Star Master in Beige Transparent.

4. Add One Thing

If the thought of wearing bright colour just feels too much, try incorporating a colourful accessory into an otherwise simple outfit. The Summer Landscape Bag from Bobo Choses puts playful block printing against a neutral backdrop to create modern appeal – ideal for even the most colour-cautious. Similarly, the Embroidered Boxy Sweatshirt from Folk gives a subtle nod to the season's trend with pops of brights woven against a neutral backdrop.

Jasmin wears Bobo Choses Summer Landscape Bag, Selected Femme Bella Marine Jumpsuit (sold out), Novesta German Army Trainers; Folk Embroidered Boxy Sweat, YMC Grease Cargo Trousers in Washed Indigo, Novesta Marathon Trail Trainers in Beige Sky

Shop our full edit of primary colours for women here.

5. Low Contrast

The trick to wearing colour without looking like an extra from Sesame Street, is to team brighter pieces with low-contrast, malleable colours that will work with anything. This includes black, white, and our forever favourite, navy. Paired with one of these neutral colours, you will have a far easier time fitting more standout shades alongside them. For a long-lasting and thoroughly adaptable option, we recommend the Folk Assembly Shorts shown here in Ash Navy Crinkle, providing a bit of balance when worn with the boldly striped Portuguese cotton of YMC's Mitchum Shirt.

Connor wears Folk Assembly Shorts in Ash Navy Crinkle, YMC Mitchum Shirt in Multi Stripe, Novesta Star Master Low Top in Sedlova Transparent.

Seen on the rail, bright prints and colours may look dauntinng, but leaning on classic colours and cuts will make adding a standout shade simple. A straight-forward suit instantly looks updated when paired with a vibrant pop of colour, like the Assembly Jacket and Trousers from Folk worn with the brightly coloured Minari Shirt from Universal Works. Folk's Japanese crinkle cotton fabric ticks the boxes for texture and subtlety while the Universal Works shirt delivers the colour and expression that will keep you on trend.