For as much as I love color, I also love those days when I pair basics and instantly feel pulled together. Black, white, navy, grey, khaki…they are the perfect compliment to all of those bright colors and also wonderful on their own.  Looking at my outfits over the last few weeks, I’ve found myself reaching for the neutrals in the summer/fall transition (which seems to be taking forever around here). And neutrals don’t have to be boring – sure, you can pair all solids like I did here and it works. And yes, I consider leopard a neutral. I have a bracelet, shoes and belt going on here which for me, is the perfect combo, but just one would be fab too! I’m wearing my new favorite dress pants in this first photo – the Banana Republic Martin Fit Crepe Ankle Pant which I’ve paired with my trusty J.Crew blue oxford Tilda, Factory merino cardigan and J.Crew Calf-hair Valentina pumps.

Neutrals can also work in polka-dots and stripes. And while you’re at it – mix a few patterns – stripes and dots, or dots on dots with leopard! My favorite neutral jewelry accessory are a set of pearls. These are the J.Crew factory twisted hammock pearls from several years ago and I wear them all the time. I like the different sized pearls and the multiple strands make them more interesting than just a single strand.

I’m wearing the Banana Republic Sloan ankle pants in both of these photos. On the left: Charley Sweater in pom-pom dot and Polka-dot chambray button-down – J.Crew Factory, shoes – Gap. Right: Charley sweater in color block stripe and Printed silk two-pocket button-down – J.Crew Factory, Bijou bow flats – J.Crew.

As I was reorganizing my closet this weekend – I realized just how many neutrals I own! So while bright colors are fab,  basics can be just as fab! How about you? Do you prefer color or neutrals or both? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!