A chartreuse and lavender outfit pairs a sharp yellow-green with a soft purple, and silver keeps the two from fighting. I styled four looks, from a chartreuse knit with lilac jeans to a chartreuse jacket over lilac trousers.
Chartreuse and Lavender Outfits to Try This Fall
Chartreuse is named after a liqueur. Carthusian monks in the French Alps have made Chartreuse since 1737, and the bright yellow-green of one version gave its name to the color, first recorded in English in 1884. It is a color with a strong personality, and lavender is the one that calms it down.
The two sit across from each other on the color wheel, more or less, so they make each other look brighter. That sounds like a lot, but because lavender is so soft, the effect is fresh instead of loud. I like it in fall, when everything else on the street is brown and black.
A quick test: hold a lilac sweater next to something chartreuse, even a tennis ball. If you smile, buy the sweater.
Start With One Piece of Each
Loewe's Flamenco mini bag is a bright yellow-green leather, and Alaïa's Tong wedge sandals are lime satin. For lavender, Jia Jia's Candy necklace sets amethyst in 14-karat gold, and Manolo Blahnik's Callasli slingbacks are purple leather. A lime bag with a gray sweater and jeans is the easiest place to start. If you are nervous, the necklace is the quietest way in.
A Chartreuse Knit, Lilac Jeans
Sanderlak's wool sweater is a bright green that is close to chartreuse, and Chloé's high-rise slim jeans are lavender denim. Chloé's Nama sneakers in silver keep the outfit from being two bright colors only, and Tory Burch's Pierced shoulder bag in green suede repeats the knit. This is the weekend version, so push the sleeves up and keep it relaxed.
Lavender Knit, Chartreuse Trousers
Chloé's alpaca-blend polo sweater is a soft lavender with a collar, and Christopher Esber's Mirador pants are green silk with a wide leg that moves. Bottega Veneta's Orbit sneakers in purple keep it casual, and Rùadh's Lossie cape scarf is ribbed chartreuse cashmere that sits over the shoulders.
How to wear it: pick one shiny piece. The silk pants are it, so keep the knit matte.
A Lilac Cardigan, a Chartreuse Skirt
Lisa Yang's Marionette cardigan and Siona T-shirt are both purple cashmere and silk, so you can wear them as a set. Dries Van Noten's paisley jacquard midi skirt is a bright yellow-green, and it is the most interesting piece in this edit. Alaïa's La Ballerine flats are purple mesh with crystals and suede trim.
What I would skip: a chartreuse bag as well. The skirt is all the chartreuse you need here.
A Chartreuse Jacket, Lilac Trousers
Destree's Ruby blazer is light green satin with a soft sheen, and Auralee's cotton and cashmere T-shirt is a pale purple underneath. St. Agni's Everyday pants are lilac poplin with a wide leg. Bottega Veneta's Orbit Flash sneakers in silver crinkled leather make it something you can wear all day. Wear the blazer open so the T-shirt shows.
Let Silver Keep the Peace
With two colors this bright, silver is the neutral that keeps them from fighting. You will see it on the sneakers in two of these outfits, and the same idea works with silver jewelry. If you are nervous, start with the lavender, which looks soft with gray, denim and white. Add one chartreuse piece when you are ready, and keep it to one. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Lavender and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall and Mustard and Plum Outfits to Try This Fall.
