Mustard and plum sit across from each other on the color wheel, so each one makes the other look richer. These four outfits pair mustard knits, a charmeuse skirt, a wool jacket and a silk shirt with plum satin, corduroy and lace. Gold jewelry ties the two together.
Plum and Mustard Outfits: Four Looks to Try This Fall
In his Theory of Colours, published in 1810, Goethe wrote that colors call for their opposites, and that yellow demands violet. More than two hundred years later, that is still the best explanation for why mustard and plum look so good together. They are roughly opposite on the color wheel, so each one makes the other look deeper.
The fall versions are both muted. Mustard is yellow with a little brown in it, and plum is purple with a little red, so the pair feels warm instead of bright. I like it best in soft textures, like cashmere, corduroy and suede, where the colors look like they belong to the season.
A quick test: try a mustard sweater with a plum lipstick or a wine-colored scarf. If it looks deliberate, you will like the outfits below.
Start With One Piece of Each
Lemaire's Mini Fortune Croissant bag is yellow leather in that soft half-moon shape, and Manolo Blahnik's Hangisi 105 pumps are yellow satin with crystal embellishment. On the plum side, Gabriela Hearst's Soft Demi clutch is a deep burgundy leather and Christian Louboutin's Sweetie Jane ballet flats are dark purple suede. Wear one of them with a gray sweater and jeans first, and see which color you reach for again.
A Mustard Knit, Plum Trousers
Allude's cashmere turtleneck is a true mustard, and Veronica Beard's Braddock wide-leg pants are burgundy satin, so the shine is all on the bottom. Jimmy Choo's Amis knee boots are burgundy suede on a low heel, and Jennifer Behr's Elaine earrings put dark purple amethyst on gold tone. It is easy, warm and ready for a cold morning.
Plum Knit, a Mustard Skirt
Rabanne's ribbed sweater is a burgundy wool and silk blend with embellishment, and Tibi's crinkle charmeuse midi skirt is mustard with a soft sheen. Jennifer Chamandi's Brando ankle boots in burgundy suede keep it grounded, and Agnelle's Kate gloves add purple leather.
How to wear it: keep the sweater cropped or tucked so the skirt shows from the waist down.
The Plum Dress, a Mustard Jacket
Christopher Esber's Loophole mini dress is plum corduroy, and Róhe's wool and mohair-blend jacket is a soft yellow that goes right over it. Bottega Veneta's Rosita wedge mules are merlot Intrecciato leather, and Valesque's Thea tote is yellow crushed velvet trimmed in leather. The jacket is the piece you will wear most, because it works over jeans too.
What I would skip: black tights. Plum or bare legs keep the colors connected.
A Mustard Shirt, a Plum Skirt
Khaite's Goya shirt is a printed yellow silk organza, light enough to see through a little. Rabanne's bead-embellished lace midi skirt in burgundy is the dressiest piece here. Gabriela Hearst's Edwina pumps are plum suede, and Saint Laurent's Paris Matelassé clutch is mustard patent leather. Tuck the shirt in so the lace starts right at the waist, and keep any jewelry to small gold pieces.
Keep the Gold, Lose the Black
Gold jewelry is what makes mustard and plum look finished, because it has a little of the warmth of both. Black is the color I would keep out of these outfits, since it makes both colors look flatter. Start with a mustard knit if you already own burgundy or plum, or with a plum shoe if you already own mustard. Either way, one of each is enough. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Mustard and Navy Outfits to Try This Fall and Plum and Black Outfits to Try This Fall.
