How to Wear the Soft Muted Neutrals (Outfit Formulas)

Part 2: Six Easy Formulas for you

The average person wears about 20% of their closet 80% of the time. Which explains why so many mornings start with “I have nothing to wear.” Been there? Me too. And it’s rarely about lacking clothes: it’s about not knowing how to connect what we own in new ways. And that’s where the soft, muted neutrals come in.

These earthy, hard-to-name tones are subtle superheroes. We talked about this in Part 1. They pair beautifully with the classic neutrals you already rely on (black, navy, white, cream, grey, brown), adding depth, softness, and interest. And just as importantly, they act as a bridge to the brights and pastels in your closet, calming contrast, and making bold colors feel intentional.

Today, I want to take you a step further. I’m sharing easy, everyday styling formulas where the ‘-ish’ colors work like glue, pulling your outfit together and matching it to your mood.

This post is one to save for the next time you’re standing in front of your closet thinking, “Nothing works.” The formulas will get you through, promise!

→ My curated shopping edit (organized by hues) is coming in Part 3. First, I want you to play with what you already own, then you can borrow my eyes on the best soft, neutral, ‘-ish’ pieces out there right now and buy what you love.

Here are 6 formulas that make the Ring 3, soft neutral colors work hard for your existing wardrobe. Let’s get dressed!

If you need a refresh, the colors in the background are the soft, muted neutrals, with grey-ish or brown-ish undertones, slightly dusty, earthy, rusty, or faded.

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#6 WRAP A ‘-ISH’ COLOR AROUND YOUR WAIST FOR GROUNDING

Always my first instinct. One of the easiest ways to introduce a soft, muted neutral is to literally wrap it around your waist. You want to look for a long-sleeve t-shirt, a light sweater, a big scarf, or a shirt. Full permission to borrow a piece from your partner’s closet here!!

→ The soft neutral creates a visual break, adds interest at the waistline, and connects the different colors. It’s layering without bulk, and it’s often the missing detail that makes an outfit feel finished. Polished, yet effortless. Visually, it allows you to create a new geometric theme, drawing new lines, shifting the vibe:

This trick takes less than 20 seconds and adds intentionality and dimension. Low effort, high reward!

Why it works: The necklace is sculptural yet delicate. The top is maroon, not brown, not burgundy, something in between, giving slim (the V-neck) and skin (+ sleeveless). With the artichoke greenish long-sleeve T-shirt I bought with the intention of doing exactly that, a layer around the waist (from Zara Kids boys, I bought size 13-14 yo, it’s current collection, under 6€, 100% organic cotton). Tied around the waist, it’s bridging the top and the tailored wool trousers beautifully. The black ballet flats (lots of options here) add elegant + polished vibes.

Why it works: The artichoke greenish long-sleeve T-shirt does what a belt could do, but it adds an extra visual dimension — even a layer of warmth. Against the brown suede jacket (it’s a dream!), it gives nature/forest vibes. The metallic gold flats are here to bring tension, but at the same time, can you see how the greenish and gold just echo each other? And can you see that without the top around the waist, the outfit would feel flat?

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#5 ADD ONE OR TWO MUTED ACCENTS TO A BLACK OUTFIT FOR ELEGANT, POLISHED VIBES

Black from head to toe is very chic. It gives a timeless feeling. It reads strong and stark. And maybe you want to feel a little softer. Well, muted colors, the ‘-ish’ colors, are here to take the edge off. Acting as a buffer, they don’t take away the edge, but they make you —the one person actually wearing this outfit— more approachable. Adding one or two pieces of muted colors is an easy way to modernize a black-heavy closet without losing its polish.

→ It gives you options, and it’s a really good thing. See:

Why it works: 1. Depending on the context, the black from head-to-toe can read harsh. 2. Swap the black oversized tee for a Ring 3, -ish color, like the artichoke long-sleeve t-shirt (but roll up the sleeves, please!), and you feel instantly softer. I like a pink natural lip with this greenish so close to my face (hi, Merit millenial lipstick!). I swapped the belt for a gold buckle belt to add another layer of visual warmth. 3. Feeling like wearing a black t-shirt? No problem. Just wrap a ‘-ish’ color around your waist and swap the black tailored wool pants for a flowy green-ish/grey-ish pair of pants (it looks like they restock all sizes!)

Why it works: You can absolutely keep your base (top + bottom) black, and have a third layer in a muted color. This blazer (sold out, but maybe you can find it preloved? A note: I removed the shoulder pads for more chill) was one of my first Ring 3 colors. If you love wearing blazers, then I’d recommend searching for one in a muted color, because it will go with everything else you own. The belt is a dusty ivory in suede, a muted color (it’s definitely not optic white), adding a horizontal line to the outfit while matching the vibe of the blazer.

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#4 WEAR SOFT NEUTRALS FROM HEAD TO TOE FOR SOFTNESS

Sometimes the simplest move is the most effective: commit to one muted color family head-to-toe. It creates a column of color that elongates the silhouette. It reinforces a vertical line. And intuitively, it feels calm and tonal, but with more interest and dimension than wearing all black.

→ Because ‘-ish’ colors are nuanced, it makes the look soft and chic:

Why it works: It’s one mood, one vibe: soft, chill, cozy, effortless. The daily sweater 100% cashmere (I love it, you love it, ARDASCHANDRA10 gives you 10% off) is the same shade as the soft and Soeur pants. I wrote about why it feels as comfy as a sweatshirt here. This feels so good and so easy. Of course, the necklace is elevating the vibe, bringing shine and interest, somewhere for your eye to settle.

The sweater, you see, is grey-ish green-ish… The necklace is so unique. Go read the description of the necklace here — “a symbiotic union of grace and wisdom” (if you are in Paris, go visit the boutique in person in Le Marais, Mara Paris, 29 rue Chapon, it’s stunning).

Why it works: a big, long piece of outerwear will give a similar vibe. Because it covers 90% of your body, it gives the illusion of wearing a soft, muted neutral from head to toe. If you feel ready for it, I’d highly recommend buying your next piece of outerwear in a Ring 3, ‘-ish’ color.

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#3 COMBINE WHITE + MUTED ACCENTS FOR FRESHNESS

The easiest way to feel crisp and fresh is to reach for something white or ecru. It brightens your mood, it’s really magnetic, and it feels clean, classic, and fresh. In other words, combining white with muted colors prevent them from looking dull. If you are new to Ring 3 shades, this might be the easiest way to feel how they can switch the vibe of an outfit.

→ The combo gives a fresh, clean balance, a Spring feeling:

Why it works: white makes you feel crisp and clear. 1. A crisp oversized t-shirt is giving freshness but not as stark as it would with black pants, and the dusty olive pants are looking elegant, not dull, thanks to the white. Bonus: the artichoke-celery green t-shirt around the waist, again. 2. We are looking for freshness AND ease, that’s why I left the top untucked. Note that the black sandals bring edge. 3. Yes, you can do full white/cream, but maybe you want a layer of muted, soft color as a blazer, like a security blanket? This is the template for you! The white top is actually a one-piece backless swimsuit (be creative!)

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#2 WEAR A SOFT MUTED TOP + WHAT YOU WORE YESTERDAY FOR EASE

Don’t know where to start? Start with a Ring 3, ‘-ish’ color top, and pair it with what you wore yesterday. The top sets the tone for your outfit: it brings instant softness, and it anchors the outfit. Whatever you wore yesterday as bottoms, I know that the soft, muted top will make it feel new, quiet, and intentional.

→ Add a small textured detail (scarf, belt, or bracelet) in a soft muted hue to create a layered, cohesive look without extra effort, see:

Why it works: Another favorite muted colors, something with maroon and reddish undertones, hard-to-name colors, but it always softens me while elevating black or cream bottoms. Do you notice the bracelet and how beautifully it echoes the top?

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#1 BRIDGE A BRIGHT COLOR WITH A MUTED ACCENT FOR ENERGY

Maybe you love a bright color, but it feels like too much energy for the situation you are in? I know this feeling. The secret here is to use soft, muted colors to act as a buffer for brights or pastels and tone down the intensity and the energy, while keeping the brights or pastels intentional and eye-catching. By creating a bridge between your bold piece and the rest of your outfit, the soft, muted colors make you feel polished.

This formula will work with the re

→ It can be a small touch, like a belt or something around your waist, see:

We love a cobalt blue shirt, it’s so rich and royal… and/but it’s a lot of energy. Layering a Ring 3, soft muted color just makes it easier for the eye, and you can finally feel energized and yet grounded.

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THE INVITATION

→ Create your own styling session, at-home, in your own time.

Take each of the six formulas and try on how it could look with your existing wardrobe. Take mirror pictures and create a folder ‘Ring 3 outfits’ for reference. Notice the gaps: what kind of connectors do you need, in those muted, soft neutral hues? Make a wishlist! And before you know it, you’ll get Part 3 of this series in your mailbox with my own curated shopping list of the best soft, muted neutrals available right now across all hues and categories.

For those who would love to screenshot the 6 formulas, here they are again:

• WRAP A ‘-ISH’ COLOR AROUND YOUR WAIST FOR GROUNDING

• ADD ONE OR TWO MUTED ACCENTS TO A BLACK OUTFIT FOR ELEGANT, POLISHED VIBES

• WEAR SOFT NEUTRALS FROM HEAD TO TOE FOR SOFTNESS

• COMBINE WHITE + MUTED ACCENTS FOR FRESHNESS

• WEAR A SOFT MUTED TOP + WHAT YOU WORE YESTERDAY FOR EASE

• BRIDGE A BRIGHT COLOR WITH A MUTED ACCENT FOR ENERGY

1. What I am wearing these days (suede jacket, oversized tee (alternative), belt, pants, Aeyde black flats) 2. My favorite shade of natural pink, it’s called Millenial 3. Try to name this color? Tibi called it ‘cinnamon’

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Now

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Thank you for being here. I so appreciate you!

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Curious?

• I link what I like here, including pieces I’m adding to my wardrobe and pieces that will be in the next shopping edit (tip: bookmark this link/add to homescreen)

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