Pops of colour
Everything I'm loving that isn't black or white
Normally, I’m not one to wear a lot of colour. Even in the summer, I like to rotate between 10 or so different black/white/neutral-coloured tanks and tees. I know this may seem boring to some, but I find it keeps things easy for me and is in line with a more simple, classic style, which is usually what I’m going for.
Of course, I’m not opposed to wearing colour. I like to experiment with it in ways that feel natural to me. More often, this means adding pops of colour here and there.
I seem to be in an experimental mood lately because I’ve noticed a lot more colour creeping into my life. It all started with this bag…
Longchamp Le Pliage Tote Bag
This Longchamp tote in orange canvas caught my eye while walking through Le Bon Marché on our last day in Paris. I wasn’t looking for a new bag and was definitely surprised I gravitated to one in this colour.
My biggest hesitation with adding a colour like this to my closet is how much wear I’d get out of it. Will it go with the rest of my clothes? I took a chance, and I’m happy to report it works well with many things I already wear. It definitely stands out against a neutral outfit but I like that the style is classic enough to still feel like me.
Green track pants
There’s a story behind these green pants. I’ll start by saying the Adidas track pants trend has had quite the hold on me, and I’ve been saving a lot of inspo, like this one. I was hesitant to pull the trigger because track pants are so unlike me (again, I grappled with whether I would wear them enough.)
Then, I saw these pants on @sassandstyled and instantly felt like I needed them. They weren’t Adidas and with no logo, they looked less sporty so I could imagine myself wearing them more like trousers. I took a screenshot and sent a message to a Substack chat group, hoping someone could identify them. A helpful fashion detective did some digging and found the exact pair for me, and then came the shocker: they were Old Navy!
There was only one pair left in my size… at a store an hour and a half away. Then came a text from my mom saying she was at a spa… which happened to be in the same city as said store. I quickly purchased it online for pick-up, and my mom was able to grab it for me on her way home.
Considering the price ($20) of the pants, it felt like a very low-stakes way to experiment with the trend and colour. So happy I found them!
Tip: They were originally all sold out but the site keeps updating their inventory so keep checking back (there’s limited sizing right now.)
MERIT Cabo lipstick
I got this MERIT lipstick shade a while ago but find myself wearing it more often now that the weather’s warmer. I like to use the lipstick when I’m wearing white and minimal makeup. I usually wear nude colours on my lips, so wearing any kind of deeper reds always felt extreme.
I like that this shade is softer and less dramatic (the MERIT site describes it as a soft red-orange, which I would say is accurate). It makes a good lipstick for the summer months and for vacationing.
Ube everything
I’m extending this theme of colour to also apply to what I’ve been eating lately. If you don’t know, ube is a type of purple yam from the Philippines. They’re mostly used in desserts and have a nutty, vanilla flavour.
My mom’s friend makes the most delicious ube cakes, which I always request for special occasions. Our kitchen is also currently stocked with Melona Ube bars and these Ube Joe-Joe’s cookies from Trader Joe’s. Safe to say, if there’s anything with ube in it, I will most likely be eating it.
More colour inspiration
The OG inspo: the Adidas Firebird Loose Track pants
This top is in such a pretty shade of blue and I’m loving the neckline/open back.
A yellow clutch that would make the perfect accessory for weddings and summer events.
This little orange jar is my current go-to to brighten my eyes underneath makeup.
Took me a while to come around to mesh flats but now I get it. These red ones are gorgeous and these, too (on sale.)
More red inspiration from
whose recent newsletter on red pants proved how versatile they can be.
Any colours you’re excited to wear this summer?
*This post contains some affiliate links, and I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend what I love and would wear.
Great inspo post! Love these recs. Can I ask what the brand is of the white t shirt you’re wearing in the Merit lipstick pic? 🤍
The Ube cheesecake looks beautiful...pop of purple hitting just right!