Summer is here, the sun is beaming, and colors are popping. Prime your closet for more color with this series of guides for bold shades. Each week SG HQ is going to break down how to wear a bright hue with easy color combinations and outfit ideas.
Catch up on bluebird blue, amber orange, lavender, army green, salmon, slate, blood orange, sharkskin, teal, khaki, merlot, red, evergreen, white, cobalt blue, mint green, orange sorbet, yellow and navy.
Add some gold: just a bit at a time, but with big impact
If you haven’t seen the 17th (and our personal favorite) James Bond movie, definitely put it on your to-watch list: GoldenEye, featuring the eternally stylish Pierce Brosnan, is pretty thrilling. Our one critique, though? The film’s wardrobe should have made more use of golden hues throughout the film! But just because they missed an opportunity get gold in doesn’t mean your wardrobe should suffer the same fate.
Not that we’re advocating you suddenly start sporting brassy chain necklaces or those Versace knockoff faux-silk shirts (you know the ones we’re talking about) ). Instead, we recommend you work gold into your wardrobe the same way we suggested you add some sharkskin: just a bit at a time, but with big impact. That means putting this shiny shade in the accessory spotlight, from watches and footwear to ties, pocket squares, piping, and peekaboo linings.
Are you ready to see how to wear gold?
HOW TO WEAR
Anyone can wear this shade as an accent (and yes, we’re talking to you Mr. I-Only-Ever-Wear-Silver. Mix it up!). A little gold goes a long way, so the rules are simple: Wear sparingly.
That might mean the only gold in your outfit comes in the form of a watch or a gold belt buckle gold with your tie, pocket square, or cufflinks. Here’s a good rule: The more casual your outfit, the less gold you should be wearing—makes sense, right? Unless you’re going to a rave, but that’s a totally different type of guide.
Dressed up
Suit: Suit Supply, $500 | Tie: The Tie Bar, $19 | Shirt: Ralph Lauren, $60
Shoes: Allen Edmonds, $395 | Watch: Nixon, $500 | Cologne: Commodity, $100
Pocket Square: Kingsman, $95 | Socks: Obey, $11 | Shave Kit: The Art of Shaving, $150
Cufflinks: Paul Smith, $150
WHAT TO PAIR
Gold looks terrific paired with a multitude of colors, but we’re especially into it for spring with bright shades like turquoise and bluebird. We love the look of a sleek gold tie with a navy suit and a bright blue pocket square—but we also wouldn’t say no to gold embroidery on an otherwise plain tee paired with army green pants.
On the weekend
Jeans: Levi’s, $160 | T-Shirt: J.Crew, $45 | Jacket: Hugh & Crye, $165
Watch: Nixon, $350 | Socks: Pair of Thieves, $10 | Shoes: Clarks, $130
Hair Goop: Grooming Lounge, $18 | Belt: L.L.Bean, $45
WHEN TO WEAR
Generally speaking, we think that “classy gold”—like watches and some fabric accessories, not the type of gold Mr. T might wear to the gym—work for formal occasions.
But don’t be afraid to have fun with it, either: The Adidas logo stamped in gold foil on a pair of slim-fitting track pants is a good way to subtly work the hue into an outfit, as is a sweet pair of gold-accented sneakers.
TELL ME:
WHAT METALLIC HUES DO YOU ADD TO YOUR WARDROBE?
Follow Style Girlfriend on Pinterest to see our favorite stylish guys and wardrobe must-haves.
Doesn’t gold repel the females?
uhh, exhibit A on “no way”
I am currently Mr Only Wear Silver but I would wear it in a watch (but I don’t have one) and I have considered getting one. Otherwise that is likely it for me except maybe in something small like a logo.
Having said that I am trying to cross the line over to potential douchery more as I think I am a chicken about it although many of my friends have gotten braver of late and I am following their lead. I have just got my first v neck tee (but I am pretty scared to wear it), a salmon coloured shirt and I got a more radical undercut this weekend when my son and I went to a much trendier barber shop. Baby steps!
To be fair, a v-neck isn’t the worst thing in the world. In fact, we should probably have some shallow enough scoop necks to offset the mug-bulkening effects of your typical crew neck.
That being said, I would LOVE to see that undercut. ????
Golden Eye? Not sure if that’s a real color or creatively made up.
I’m all about silver because that’s the metallic that goes well with my skin tone. That being said, I don’t mind gold with navy, especially when it comes to those socks. What I think would be even better? White gold.
That green jacket, though: ????. LURVE.
Clearly you’re not alone on the love for that Hugh & Crye number!
I could see myself wearing a gold watch. It would have to be on the smaller side so as to not appear gaudy. By the way I am loving that Hugh & Crye blazer. I am very tempted to buy it.
you’ll have to let us know which way you tip on that purchase decision, TJ! 🙂
I have a gold tie that I wear quite often. Particularly with a blue gigham shirt that the cuffs flip up and have gold stripes in them, it really pops always get lots of good comments on it! However I LOVE the dressed down look, I’m not big on bright/pastels but that T and blazer combo… Excellent!
nice!!