Fashion trendsetters are always looking for inspiration from the natural world. From floral prints and sunbeam-inspired gradients to geological patterns and psychedelic swirls, we see these organic influences everywhere.
Jewel tones are some of the most powerful colors out there, evoking class and style without being overwhelming or flashy. They work with any skin tone and can easily be added to your wardrobe as a centerpiece or extra dash of elegance.
Whether you’re gearing up for a big day at work, dressing to impress for a night out, or hitting the gym for an intense workout or yoga session, jewel tones will never let you down.
Here are some of the best jewel tones to complement your style, and some tips to make these colors look great no matter what you’ve got planned for the day.
What Are Jewel Tones?
Before we get into the top jewel tones and how to wear them, let’s define the term first.
Jewel tones are colors and tones found in naturally occurring precious gems. Think sapphires, rubies, amethysts, and emeralds. These are all highly saturated colors, meaning they are richer and darker than their tinted and pastel counterparts.
Cultures have admired these jewel tones for thousands of years, since we’ve always placed a high value on the rare and precious gems mined from the earth. Just look at any royal portrait from the past few centuries to see the power of jewel tones in action.
Even though these minerals are more abundant in modern times, jewel colors still appeal to our most primal senses as a signal of status. We see these colors worn by political leaders, social influencers, and our favorite celebrities on the red carpet. These are colors that stand the test of time and never go out of style.
The best part about jewel tones is that they work well for people of any age, ethnicity, and environment. With jewel tones, there are no wrong answers!
If you’ve always wanted to wear jewel tones but not sure where to begin, this is your chance to jump into the style and embrace these timeless colors.
Top 5 Jewel Tones to Wear
When it comes to jewel tones, it’s best to stick with the classics. Here are the top jewel tones you should consider working into your wardrobe now.
Citrine Yellow
Who doesn’t love the look of a warm, glowing citrine yellow? This color brings out the best during any season, but really shines during the fall and winter months. It’s so versatile and easy to style – that’s why it’s the first on our list of the top jewel tones.
We know that yellow is not always the easiest color to wear since it’s so bright and bold. Sometimes it can be distracting and take away from the other components of an outfit. The lighter and brighter the yellow, the trickier it is to incorporate into a complete look.
That’s where citrine yellow comes into play. This is a much warmer, richer shade of yellow that reminds us of a fireplace glow or changing autumn leaves. It is far easier to match with neutral earth tones, making it a great entry point into the world of jewel-colored clothes.
With just a few citrine yellow staples in your wardrobe, you can instantly elevate your style without much effort. A knit citrine sweater will never let you down during those cooler months, and when the weather heats up, go for a sweet citrine tank top or pair of capris.
Next time fall rolls around, keep an eye out for some citrine in the stores and catalogs. These items will serve you well in the long run since they never go out of style.
Ruby Red
Are you ready to make your mark on the world? Ruby red is the color of power and desire, so be prepared to conquer the biggest challenges by wearing it with pride.
If you aren’t the type of person to wear bright brick reds, ruby is a great place to start. It’s darker and warmer than you think and doesn’t need to distract from the rest of your look to make a strong statement.
Ruby red is ideal for the office if you’ve got a big meeting or presentation, and it will turn heads without being too loud. It’s a perfect choice for the professional who wants to keep things clean and have some fun in the meantime.
You may already have some ruby red in your look, whether it’s lipstick or nail polish. Why not add some more ruby to the mix with a jacket, sweater, or skirt? This color is surprisingly easy to incorporate as long as you keep the rest of your outfit fairly neutral.
Ruby is also a great pick for workout wear and athleisure. The next time you’re getting amped up for a hot yoga class or spin bike session, throw on some ruby red leggings or tank top and fuel your furnace of motivation!
Don’t be shy when it comes to ruby red – this might be the gem-inspired color you’ve been looking for all along.
Sapphire Blue
Sometimes you just want to drape yourself in blue and embrace the cool colors of the sea and sky! Blue is super versatile and works well with earthy wardrobes that draw on other neutral colors you know and love.
Still, blues can sometimes be too flashy or bright for the season or occasion. Once summer comes to a close, you might not want to wear bright blue pastels into fall and winter.
Rather than sticking to the same old blacks and greys, a rich sapphire blue can save the day, especially if you need to dress more formally or make a strong professional statement.
We think of blue as a traditionally “cool” color, but it can be so much more than that! Sapphire brings blue back down to earth and gives you an air of elegance anywhere you go. It’s a bit more playful than navy while still giving you the respect you deserve.
A sapphire coat or tunic top will evoke the perfect mixture of class and carefree, and you don’t need to revolutionize your entire wardrobe to make it work.
When it comes time to hit the gym, sapphire is an extremely underrated color for workout wear! A pair of sapphire blue leggings look great on any body type and meshes with nearly every outfit.
You’ve probably already got some blue tops and bottoms in your dresser, so why not give sapphire a try for your next yoga or group dance class at the gym? The possibilities are endless.
Emerald Green
For all you nature-lovers out there, you probably have no shortage of green in your wardrobe already. Light and bright greens are perfect for the spring and summer months, and forest green is a staple for the colder seasons.
Emerald lies somewhere between these two extremes, making it the perfect crossover color for those transitional days in the year when you just don’t know what to wear! It’s surprisingly easy to match with neutral tones and gives you a substantial color pop without throwing your outfit out of alignment.
Apple green and seafoam have their time and place at a springtime gala or beachside get-together, but emerald has that royal reputation that makes you look like a star at work or on the party scene.
If you’re feeling extra bold, add an emerald coat or dress to your wardrobe when you really want to stand out from the crowd. Emerald also makes for great gym wear, so try on a jewel-tone top or pair of leggings for your next workout.
Amethyst Purple
You may think there are two types of people in the world: those who can pull off purple clothes and those who can’t. It’s time to get rid of that all-or-nothing approach to purple and try out amethyst as a way to ease into the color.
Amethyst is closer to lavender on the color spectrum but doesn’t have the same heaviness as mulberry or plum. It’s lighter, brighter, and far more easygoing. If you’re someone who loves pink, this is the perfect transitional color to try!
It may not be the easiest color to incorporate into your wardrobe, so start with some amethyst athletic wear to give it a chance. Soon you’ll be fully on board the purple bandwagon.
Jewel Tone Gym Wear Picks
If you’re ready to embrace jewel tones for the gym, we’re here to help. Yoga Club curates amazing outfits that fit your exact proportions, preferences, and colors.
All you need to do is take our simple 3-minute quiz, and we’ll ship a gorgeous activewear outfit to your door every month. Don’t like it? We’ll try again until we get it right! Enjoy major discounts and the peace of mind you need to enjoy your fitness lifestyle to the fullest.
Jewel tones should be an everyday part of your color palette, and we’re happy to make it happen for you. Learn more about Yoga Club here and get started today.
Sources:
Best Color For Skin Tone - Flattering Colors - Jewel Tones | Oprah
COLOUR THEORY: Jewel Tones (& why we love them) | The Nowhere Nation
The Jewel Tone Trend: How and Where To Use These Hues | Living Spaces
