Sunshine In Your Life

I love my daily commute.  I know most people would not be so exuberant about it, but my drive doesn't involve the typical scenery of office buildings and miles and miles of traffic all backed up everyday at the exact same exits.  No, my day is book ended by the natural beauty of the woods, wild flowers, and all the little animals that make their homes somewhere along the way.  From March to November I'm greeted each day with the colors of flowers or the changing leaves.  

There's always some new hue to catch my eye or some little creature looking shyly back at me from the forest.  It's not the same as a city commute, but there's never a dull drive on this road.  Right now the fields and edges of the woods are teaming with these wild sunflowers.  I don't know what they're called or if they're even related to sunflowers but they're such cheerful flowers always turning to greet the morning sun that I can't help but think they must some kin to sunflowers.  

I love yellow and when we think of the color yellow many of us instantly think of happy things like sunshine, summertime especially at this time of year.  And yet yellow is one of those colors that many people think they "can't" wear and so they don't.  I used to be the same way.  I had quite a color phobia in general and stayed away from everything bright, cheerful, or otherwise attention getting.  My wardrobe consisted of khaki, black, and very dark gray.  It was, in a word, bleak.  I'm glad I got over it and I use the word glad here very deliberately.  Studies have shown that colors can affect our mood and for me adding color to my wardrobe and my life definitely brightened my outlook.  

Even without the studies, people around the world have known for ages that colors can have such a powerful effect on our moods.  If we're down they can pick us up.  If we're anxious they can soothe.  I think we should all have at least a few bright, cheerful items in our closets and I think yellow should definitely be one of them.  I can understand why some people shy away from yellow.  In addition to conjuring up thoughts of sunshine and flowers and summertime it can be a very energetic to be point of being in-your-face kind of color.  But the good news is that there are so many shades out there that if you're the sort who feels yellow is too aggressive, simply choose a different shade.  

Personally I mainly stay away from neon hues because they are very intense even overpowering.  Neons tend to make me look even more pale and even a little washed out and that's not what I want from my wardrobe. (That fashion rule doesn't apply to everyone, but we'll get to the rules a little later)  My favorite shade of yellow by far, and one that looks good on fair skin like mine, is best represented in this Angelica Belted BodyCon Dress in Mustard from Femme Luxe Finery  It's more subtle than bright yellow, but still warm and glowing and the fact that this particular color is on such a great style of dress is all the better.  

The lovely people at FemmeLuxe have sent over a number of stunning bodycon dresses during our time collaborating and I love them all, but the Angelica Dress has a special place in my heart because it has just that touch of vintage flare in the neckline and sleeves  that make it seem more like a dress from the Gilded Age of Hollywood.  So, So, Gorgeous!

If you have light or fair skin like me, you can take this mustard shade a little bolder, but also consider pastel yellow.

If you have an olive complexion, what shade is right for you?

Mustard, Bold Yellow, Neon, and Pastel

I think mustard looks great on virtually everyone, but if you have olive skin you can also wear even more bright and bold yellows.

If you have dark skin virtually all shades of yellow look great on you.  From pastels, to my beloved mustard, to neon yellow--you can rock them all.  

So, add a little sunshine to your wardrobe and comment below with your favorite shade!

Shopping Info:  Mustard Belted Bodycon Midi Dress - Angelica- from: FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk