How to Wear Chartreuse

If you could experience color, like you experience taste – chartreuse would be like eating a key lime pie. Sweet and energetic, with an intense citrus infusion that leaves you hungry for more. The color gets its name from a French liqueur called Green Chartreuse, introduced in 1764. Similarly, chartreuse yellow is a yellow color mixed with a small amount of green that was named because of its resemblance to the color of one of the French liqueurs called yellow chartreuse, introduced in 1838. On the color wheel chartreuse lies directly between green and yellow; and it is considered a tertiary color. In it's purest form chartreuse as a color is a perfect blend of 50% yellow, and 50% green.

At first glance this bright near neon hue, may cause you pause. And if you lack color confidence, you're sure to think - Oh no, I couldn’t possibly wear that! And you may be right, the color isn’t for everyone, but if you have Spring or Autumn coloring it’s definitely one worth considering. Not sure which “Season” you are? Check out our Color Analysis Guide and find out!

Ready to go green? Chartreuse-green that is!

Then let’s get down to it. When it comes to putting an outfit together, and wearing Chartreuse, a little color theory knowledge goes a long way! Read on to learn more about how to wear chartreuse and pair it with other colors.

Monochromatic:

If you’re opting for a monochromatic chartreuse look – meaning you want to stick to one color; pair it with neutrals in the same tone (lightness/darkness level) or metallics, and let that color shine!

It is also important to note however, that if you are going to let chartreuse dominate your look you sure as heck better make sure the color works with your skintone and coloring. Chartreuse can be an amazing compliment, or a hideous detractor depending on your color pallet – so if you skipped that section above, where we mention our Color Analysis Guide – circle on back and give it a read. You will thank us!

Analogous:

Analogous colors are colors closely related in hue(s), adjacent to each other on the color wheel. In the case of chartreuse, you might think this means pairing it with yellow and green – but remember, chartreuse doesn’t have to be the middle color, and all of the following would be considered analogous color combinations of chartreuse:

  • Yellow, Chartreuse, and Green
  • Chartreuse, Green and Blue Green
  • Yellow-Orange, Yellow, and Chartreuse
Analogous Colors of Chartreuse

Triadic:

As the name implies, triadic colors are any three colors that form an equilateral triangle on the color wheel. In the case of Chartreuse, this would mean pairing it with shades in the Red-Orange and Blue-Violet ranges.

Triadic Colors of Chartreuse

Complementary:

Complementary colors are any two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. The complementary color to chartreuse (leaning towards green) would be a shade of red-violet; while the complementary color to chartreuse (leaning towards yellow) would be a shade of blue-violet.

Complimentary Colors of Chartreuse

How to Wear Chartreuse

As an example of how to wear chartreuse; we paired several yellowish-chartreuse pieces, with complimentary muted navy toned separates that lean towards violet. To break up the looks, we mixed in soft white neutral pieces that add interest with out overcomplicating. By balancing these colors we are able to create vibrant, sophisticated, and interesting looks perfect for everyday wear! Like these looks? Get the details and shop the links below:


Look #1:

Look # 2:

How do you feel about chartreuse? Would you try it? What other colors do you find tricky to wear? Let us know in the comments below!