Mixing neutrals part 2 Beige/camel and black

Continuing with my series on how to mix neutrals. Many of us have black in our wardrobes. Even though it may not be the most flattering colour to wear as we get older we are loath to give it up, me included. I have a large collection of black trousers and a few black tops. The trick is to learn to combine it with colours that work for us.

Beige and camel can also be tricky colours to wear especially if our hair has turned grey. We definitely do not want to wear all beige and disappear into the background. As beige and camel are going to be very popular colours this season lets see how we can make it work for us.

Details of above: Black jacket Hush / scarf JohnLewis&partners/ V neck beige sweater JohnLewis&partners / beige DB trench JohnLewis&partners / camel tunic sweater Baukjen / patent beige loafers MarksandSpencer / Winserlondon black miracle trousers Johnlewis&partners / Beige holdall bag Hobbs / Leopard print pumpsJohnlewis&partners.

Black and camel

These colours can look very elegant and sophisticated if carefully integrated into our wardrobes. Think accessories such as bags, scarves and shoes. Beige and camel can also look very chic combined with white later in the season. Combining textures is another way that these colours can look upmarket, not dreary. Italian women are good role models on how to wear neutrals and look elegant.

Not all beiges and browns are the same. Some are cool toned and some warm. The very warm browns, rusts and camels do not suit my cool skin tone. However, I do have a 15-year-old brown Max Mara coat that is definitely a cool brown. It is a very easy to wear “dressing gown” coat. I think that I will get it out of mothballs and combine it with my blues, greys and pinks.

Will you be wearing beige this season or do you consider it a bit grannyish?

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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View Comments

Anon says:

4th February 2019 at 15:26

Meh. Beige. Not my color. Never has been.
Pru says:

4th February 2019 at 15:31

A good quality camel sweater can look amazing and the one that I consider to be superior to anything else I have seen is 100% alpaca by study 34 based in Newcastle.
marifachMary says:

4th February 2019 at 16:15

I have been looking at a camel- coloured 100% Cashmere jacket and thinking about it! But where would I wear it? I live in trousers these days and most people seem to be in trousers and Anoraks anyway. Years ago I had a cream Alpaca coat. It never seemed to pick up the dirt and was so soft and warm. I do wish I still had it! My Uniglo black (!) down jacket is soft and warm but very casual. However whenever I have worn it someone has admired it! Odd that!
Christine Anne Luke says:

4th February 2019 at 17:01

I used to look good in camel/beige when I had dark hair. Now it is silver & I look terrible.
I love most shades of grey though & I have a chocolate brown coat which I love.
Vanessa says:

4th February 2019 at 17:20

Here here for the Unoglo down jacket I have one in beige it is great with most trousers and practical to take travelling as it packs into it's own pocket size bag!
Sara says:

4th February 2019 at 17:39

Hmmmm, two pairs of great leopard shoes shown, just when I was trying NOT to be tempted.... I don’t count leopard print as beige as it really goes with so many other basic colours and I love flats with pointed toes, both stylish and comfortable. Have put the John Lewis ones on my wish list but have just bought fab silver slip on flatform so really should not......
Agree that beige can be both dreary and difficult to wear with grey hair. I have not yet done the switch and my coloured hair is reddish, which would do camel/toffee/caramel/cream (don’t they all sound so much better than beige?) but I have gone for silvery grey as one of my base colours; it is fantastic with cream but I have otherwise avoided the brown end of the spectrum for sometime now. Not altogether sure why, perhaps it is the association with beige?? Silly really, as some of the chicest colours when well put together are on the caramel/creamy palette.
melmi says:

4th February 2019 at 18:16

Since I now have white hair vs. the blonde I used to have, I don't like the way I look in black unless it's broken up with something; it just seems too "black!" I find that I'm wearing more gray which surprises me; really like it with navy. I recently purchased a pair of Vionic pointed-toed leopard flats; they have an arch support and I was able to wear them for 12 hours....lots of standing....and not a problem with my plantar fasciatis. Have another Vionic pair in the same style in silver...great shoes.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  7th February 2019 at 08:24
  
  Hi Margie
  
  I agree Vionic shoes are excellent. I have a pair of boots and a pair of trainers and they are excellent.
Eleni says:

4th February 2019 at 20:03

A good blog. I love Camel, dark brown, beige, etc. Always have -- goes nicely with anything leopard !!
I'm sure you mentioned in a previous blog about a silk pillow, which came beautifully packaged ?? I did buy one for my eldest daughter. She loves this silk pillowcase. I would like to purchase one for my youngest daughter for her next birthday and have totally forgotten the source ?? Can you help, Josephine......
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  7th February 2019 at 08:25
  
  Hi Eleni
  I can't find the original post where I wrote about the benefits of silk pillows but I buy mine at JohnLewis&Partners.
Lorraine Smith says:

5th February 2019 at 09:28

I have a warm undertone and the soft creams, camels and rusts have always been go to colours that brought me compliments. Now that my hair is grey and I guess skin fading a bit have to relook these colours, although rust is still good ..... and accessorize ...luckily I love a nice scarf. Leopard print shoes are a must. We will be going into winter in a few months so must start watching out for good colours to brighten/warm up the cold days.
Margo says:

5th February 2019 at 14:48

Hi Josephine. I am always delighted when you do a post for us warm toned people who have not yet transitioned to grey. This looks really great and I have ordered the camel sweater a few minutes ago
I had my colours done earlier this year and was told I am a Soft Autumn. I went madly at it and stopped wearing black completely. I really missed my black pieces especially on the bottom half and your post inspires me that it is possible to wear some black while not looking too washed out
Thank you for this post and I hope as the season progresses that you will be able to do a few more warm toned posts especially as I am about the same height and shape as you It is hard to find blogs that cover all the areas of age colouring and shape

I love to see all that you do and am off to order a pair of black trousers too

Thanks Margo