How to Wear Green, the Colour of the Season

Every year in spring there’s a moment when all of a sudden, I notice the grass’s return to vibrant, verdant green. It’s such a joyful symbol of life and renewal. As we put away our outerwear for good, fresh new trends and silhouettes seem to sprout in a similar way, and this year, all shades of green are emerging to provide our wardrobes with that same vital energy.

This spring, pistachio and sage tones are taking centre stage, as we saw on the runways at Bottega Veneta, Erdem, Chanel, Jil Sander, JW Anderson and Ulla Johnson. But it doesn’t end there: the fall/winter 2024 shows have indicated the colour will continue into the rest of this year in a big way.

What I love about colour trends is that they have a longer lifespan in fashion, compared to more specific styles or silhouettes. Since there’s a limited number of colours out there and fashion is cyclical, these pieces are guaranteed to feel fresh on an ongoing basis. And as someone with strong ties to my Irish background, I am somewhat—okay, very—biased when it comes to green. I love it! 

You might be thinking, but can I wear green? There has been a lot of buzz on TikTok about colour analysis lately, and many of my clients have come to me with a laundry list of hues someone told them not to wear. Often, it means they just stick to black and navy and end up feeling bored and uninspired by their closet.

Although I believe colour analysis to be a valuable tool, I don’t think it should restrict your fashion choices. One woman told me green was on her list of nos and it broke my Irish heart. My advice for her? I quoted the iconic Iris Apfel: “It’s more important to be happy than well dressed.” As much as I love fashion, at the end of the day it’s all about how your clothing makes you feel and how it allows you to show up in the world. 

Colour brings joy, and I encourage everyone to explore and play with what colours will bring life to your closet. Don’t limit yourself: every colour can work on everyone, it might just be about finding the right shade for you.

Some of my favourite colour pairings for green this spring include green and pink, green and navy, green and grey and, yes, green and purple. Start there and see where your colour journey takes you.

Here are some of my favourite green pieces on the market right now, and how to wear them.

The pistachio skirt

This skirt is the perfect example of an elevated basic. It has a classic silhouette with ruffle details that add personality and a trendy touch. Ruffles are going to be big this summer!

How to wear it: Pair this skirt with a crisp white button-up and grey blazer for the workday or sport it with a classic cami and sandal all weekend long.

The green apple heels

A bright shoe is a simple and effective way to start adding colour to your everyday looks. This contemporary shoe will take your denim and blouse to the next level, especially with the woven detailing.

How to wear it: This would be the perfect monochromatic shoe to wear with all of the pieces featured in this article!

The chartreuse dress

Dresses are the best one-and-done outfits for spring and summer, so why not have fun with it and inject some colour! This silky maxi dress with a ruched, drawstring bodice is a highlight from fashion and TV personality Meredith Shaw’s collection for Penningtons, and comes in sizes 12 to 24.

How to wear it: Offset the bright hue with metallic jewellery and sandals in bronze or copper, or lean into the rainbow and pair it with pink accessories.

The olive striped top

Weaving a striped piece with subtle colour into your closet will make styling a breeze. T.Line makes some of the best shirting options here in Canada and this one-shoulder top is no exception.

How to wear it: I envision this architectural blouse tucked into a wide-leg pant or A-line poplin skirt for spring.

The grass green bag

Talk about a statement bag for spring! This has all the right features; a chunky chain and leather handle, metallic details and a woven pattern. Tucking this piece under your arm will add a unique and unexpected accent to all of your looks.

How to wear it: Play on the cream and green palette with similar hued pieces or contrast it with a bright orange or purple blouse and denim.

The sage matching set

This matching cotton rib set is the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe because it creates so many outfits. Wear it together with a sneaker for daytime or dress it up with a heel for an evening out, or break it up and wear it as separates.

How to wear it: For an additional way to wear your matching sets, fully tuck the top into the bottoms and add a belt around the waist, this will give your set the appearance of a dress or jumpsuit and also define the waistline.

The khaki shirt dress 

This shirtdress has waist defining features that will look great on every silhouette, and will look appropriate at almost any event or occasion you can think of.

How to wear it: Try layering a navy knit over your shoulders or wear on top with a belt to double this dress as a skirt.

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