5 Easy Ways To Add a Pop of Color To A Neutral Outfit

by Barron Cuadro  |  in Style Tips

I’ve always said that guys should focus on building a Lean Wardrobe made up of menswear neutrals.

That’s because when you have a closet full of basics and essentials in neutral colors, it’s easy to put outfits together and you know you won’t mess up your clothing color combinations.

But what if you wanted to add just a bit of color to your outfits?

I’m not talking orange pants or a bright pink shirt, but maybe a touch of orange or pink, somewhere in your outfit, so your look isn’t so… boring?

Here are 5 areas you can add a pop of color to your outfit.

5 Areas To Add A Pop Of Color

Good news for you –

  • they’re all relatively low-risk,
  • you can experiment without investing too much,
  • and you can do it quickly and easily!

1. Your Socks

This is an obvious choice, and of course there are a plethora of options out nowadays, but I encourage you to do this with a healthy dose of subtlety.

You don’t need to wear the loudest, most vibrant socks. Adding a pop of color is like enjoying a finger of scotch vs. chugging a 1/2 liter of beer. You’re going for a small dose of it, simple and effective.

So look for socks that are more understated.. a color and pattern combination a true connoisseur or clotheshorse would appreciate.

2. Your Belt

If you ask me, Anson Belt is the obvious choice here.

You have plenty of options for strap colors and materials, the buckle and strap combos are completely customizable, the no-hole ratchet system allows for multiple sizing (adjustable to every 1/4″), which means you’re not stuck with only 5 sizes like a typical belt.

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If you haven’t tried them before, they’re worth a shot. Anson’s also got 13,000+ 4- and 5-star reviews, so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting an awesome belt.

By the way, I suggest going the box set route. You get 3 belt straps and 2 buckles (or 2 belt straps and 3 buckles, though I’d choose the former) for under $100.

3. Bracelets

I like buying accessories when I travel.

My latest purchase is a leather bracelet from Sayulita, a small beach town in Mexico, where I spent a week with good friends (and officiated my first wedding!).

Good memories, a great accessory, and I’m reminded of the fun times we had whenever I wear it.

If you don’t travel much, or simply want to accessorize NOW, I suggest checking out the bracelets from Miansai. Their bracelets feel elevated and polished, and they have a nice selection of unique styles. Above are a few of my faves!

4. Your Shoes

This one might not be that obvious, but you can go for shoes from brands that offer unique leather colors and patinas.

Ace Marks is a good example of this. Fratelli Rossetti, a luxury shoe brand founded in the 1940s in Italy, also carries shoes with fun colors.

And if you can’t commit to a colorful shoe, you can take a baby step by lacing your brown brogues with colorful laces. The ones you see above are from Fort Belvedere.

5. Everyday Carry

Think of the things you carry with you every day. These, effectively, are a part of your whole look as well.

So experiment with colorful EDC items like your wallet, key fob, notebooks, bag, and more. And don’t feel like all your everyday carry items have to match; they can, but they don’t have to.

The #1 Rule For Adding Pops Of Color

Keep in mind the number one rule when it comes to incorporating pops of color into your outfits.

You want to make sure your base outfit is made up of menswear neutrals, and if you do that, adding little pops of color here and there is much easier, and you won’t have to worry about clashing or looking like the inside of a Sanrio store.

I hope you found these tips helpful! Are there other ways you like to add color to a mostly neutral outfit that I haven’t mentioned here?

This article is sponsored by Anson Belt and Buckle but all opinions and recommendations within are those of Barron and the team at Effortless Gent. You can read more about this here.