True to its "neutral" title, gray really goes with almost every other color.
'Cool greys are best paired with cooler colour schemes, such as blue, green, and light purple, while warm greys better complement reds, oranges, and yellows. For fans of the monochrome look, incorporate different shades of grey, alongside white and black, to create depth and visual interest.
In color psychology, grey represents neutrality and balance. Its color meaning likely comes from being the shade between white and black. However, grey does carry some negative connotations, particularly when it comes to depression and loss.
Of all the neutrals, gray is the one that always held the most gravitas with designers and decorators, however, gray is slowly being replaced by beige. Elegant and timeless in their simplicity, beige schemes have become a stalwart in the world of interiors.
If you're about to start decorating, you might find it helpful to take a look at a colour wheel first. You'll notice that the wheel is roughly divided between two colour groups: warm hues and cool hues. Reds, yellows, oranges and beige/creamy colours are warm, while the blues, greens and greys are cool.
Colors for Cool Skin Tones
More neutral colors that work include bright white, gray and navy. The reason to choose these colors comes down to creating an attractive contrast with your fair skin. As a cool skin tone often means your skin is pale or has light features, you'll want to use darker colors.
The general rule of thumb is that skin with cool undertones look best with greys, browns, blues, greens and purples. Skin with warm undertones look best with either bright or light colors. And skin with neutral undertones looks great in bold, bright colors.
Is white and gray out of style? Experts agree that this color pairing will no longer dominate trends in 2023. It's hard to believe we could ever see the total end of gray and white – the two (seemingly timeless) tones that have been at the forefront of our decorating agendas for decades.
While grey was everywhere for years, this look has devolved into 50 shades of boring. “This year's color trends are all about taking risks. The tried and true all grey look is out,” says Tamarra Younis of Union of Art Interiors.
According to the survey by the online dating site, women like men with grey hair as long as they do not look too old. Also, attractiveness depended on the pattern of greying as well. As per the participants, they find a certain level of grey hair more appealing than a full head of grey.
GREY. Positive: Psychological neutrality. Negative: Lack of confidence, dampness, depression, hibernation, lack of energy.
“If you have fair skin, light gray can wash you out so it's best to choose darker grays. If you're fair skinned with warm undertones, gray will also look really good on you,” explains Tierney. A medium shade of gray will stand out against paler skin, without being overwhelming.
Shades of navy blue, chocolate brown or dark grey. All these colors are quite prominently used to give the wearer the advantage of casting the illusionary effect of being slim. In principle, the darker the shade you wear, the slimmer the look it imparts.
Cool Summer
Cool summers have cool or blue undertones to all three characteristics (skin, hair, and eyes). They often have cool or neutral skin tones with grey, blue or slate eyes.
It's beige. Yes, beige is coming back in style after years of being synonymous with boring or bland. Warm neutral paint and upholstery colors are now taking favor over grays, with shades like tan, taupe, ivory and beige (even brown!) rising in popularity.
Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris are the color names for 2023. Who chooses the names of the new colors?
Grey is the most versatile neutral
As a colour that's neither black nor white, grey is arguably the most popular neutral - and the most versatile! It's the go-between light and dark, making it the perfect match for other neutral shades such as beige, cream or taupe.
With the latest 2023 color of the year announcement, soft, earthy shades of pink and clay take the lead as the most popular paint colors. Terra Rosa by Dunn-Edwards blends brown and burgundy for a rosy pink that works as both a grounding neutral and a delicate accent.
“Too much of a gray color creates sadness and a tendency for loneliness and isolation,” says Marlene De Cespedes with Douglas Elliman. Instead, incorporate different tones, textures, and finishes of white, ivory, and sand into the space to make it look “elegant, fresh, airy, and chic,” she says.
Overall, the chromatic trend for Autumn-Winter 2023/2024 presents great comebacks and confirmations, with a palette that ranges from red to gray, yellow to brown, and pink. Even the most delicate and subtle shades will have their space, inviting experimentation and rediscovery of classic nuances in an original key.
Another way to find what hues compliment your skin tone is to hold different colored pieces next to your face in natural bright light. “Your initial reaction to the color will indicate which colors work best for you,” says Brittney Nakamura, a Nordstrom Stylist.
Do grey and brown go together? Of course, they do! It's one of the classic combos. Grey is neutral, steady, elegant, and sophisticated.