The first thing I consider when putting together an outfit these days? Creating a color story — one that’s subtle enough for everyday wear, while still having a bit of magic to it. And right now my color story is all about sienna.
If you’ve been around here for any length of time, I’m sure you’re not surprised. Cognac, sienna, whatever you want to call it — it’s been a staple of mine for quite some time, but I typically reserved it for bags and shoes.
However, it’s slowly taking over my entire wardrobe!
One of my favorite things about sienna? It’s versatile and plays well with other colors. It particularly pairs well with:
- Light dusty blue: This one’s easy. Just grab a pair of faded denim, pair with a printed sienna top, and you’re set! (I wore this color combo just the other day.)
- Eucalyptus green: Got a green dress hanging around somewhere? Throw a slouchy sienna cardigan over it and finish with cognac booties.
- Blushy nude: I love this one. Try a silk nude camisole with a slouchy sienna cardigan thrown on top. Finish with your favorite relaxed jeans and a pair of tortoise shell glasses.
- Raisin: Try a raisin colored floral blouse tucked into a pair of straight leg, high rise corduroy pants in sienna. Finish with blushy nude accessories.
- Sienna! I’m always amazed at how a boring ol’ neutral can take on a powerful posture when worn head to toe.For example, white is a plain, safe color, right? But when worn head to to it becomes a statement. Same with sienna. I enjoy layering different shades on top of one another, creating a tone-on-tone look.
I’ve recently found a handful of sienna pieces that I absolutely love. If you’re looking to add a piece to your wardrobe, take a look — you just might find something special.
If you see something you like, you can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using the affiliate links below:
01 | Chunky Wool Sweater by & Other Stories | $119 | I just recently picked this one up, and I can already tell you it’s going to be my favorite sweater this fall and winter. | similar under $50
02 | Printed Midi Dress by Free People | $148
03 | Basket Weave Crossbody Bag by & Other Stories | $129
04 | Corduroy Mini Skirt by & Other Stories | $69 | Another piece I recently picked up and love. It’s got a super high rise, and it’s a touch longer than most mini skirts I see around. Very classy.
05 | Stripe Button Down by Everlane (made responsibly) | $110
06 | Printed 40’s Dress by Free People | $148
07 | Wool blend turtleneck sweater by & Other Stories | $99
08 | Smocked Top by Reformation (made responsibly) | $77
09 | Polka Dot Button Down by Faithfull | $109
10 | Alpaca Blend Sweater by & Other Stories | $99
11 | Midi Skirt by & Other Stories | $89
• • •
And there you have it!
So tell me, do you have a signature color that you’ve been drawn to for a while now? Are you into sienna as much as I am? What other colors would you pair with sienna?
xo,
P.S. There are plenty of other spots around the internet where I share my style these days:
Pinterest and LTK for quick outfit ideas and visual inspiration.
Youtube for fun videos like my minimal summer makeup routine.
Spotify for yummy playlists, like Feel Good Fall, Pre-Bedtime Zen, and Self Care Night.
It’s a great colour! I think it would also pair nicely with navy and black.
Have a great week
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Lately, I’ve been drawn to a sort of army green color. I keep realizing I am fawning over and buying pieces that are this color in some form, whether bolder or more faded. I think it’d look great with sienna mixed in in the appropriate way!
I feel like we’re ALL obsessed with sienna these days. It’s such a great neutral. Yummy.
I’ve always thought in terms of a color palette, but not a signature color. So I’ll pick one now: my signature color is hereby Sangria! :) I like it with indigo, stone, taupe, ivory and charcoal. Looking forward to Fall!
I’m all about jewel tones- Sapphire, Amethyst and Teal (not a gem, but it fits).
I’ve always loved your blog and style, but a little disappointed that you’ve moved off from ethical fashion sourcing. Your earlier posts had inspired me to move towards ethical clothing and purchasing. Thanks!
Hi Kayla! I always like to share both mainstream and responsible pieces. Some posts lean more one way than the other (like this post, that leans more toward mainstream pieces), but responsible fashion still something I enjoy exploring and sharing. :) Keeping that blended approach on my blog is important to me, because I’ve seen people try to join in the slow fashion conversation, and then be shamed for not being “all in”. I don’t want anyone to feel that way here. I like using my blog to remind people that we can care about something and not be perfect at it at the same time.
I’m not the original commenter, but I want to say that I really appreciate your blended approach to this, because life and life choices are a long game with an individual pace. I think you do an admirable job of advocating for a mindful approach to life, with fashion being one aspect of that. I appreciate that you offer some “ethical fashion” pieces in your posts, but also that you highlight your antique/secondhand furniture (keeping quality furniture in people’s homes and not letting it go to the landfill is WONDERFUL), slow, calm mornings and routines, lovely playlists (I’ve found so much great music through these), and a non-frantic approach to consumption/life overall. So…thank you for offering a calming, thoughtful space!
Hey Kayla,
I feel a bit the same about this post.
“Ethical” brands are not always what they appear to be. Some “Ethical” brands have been recently under firing for not being fully transparent. Lots of double meanings as well. Animal skin/ leather is not “ethical” even if it is ” vegetable dyed”. Also, I will not paying $300 for wide leg jeans. Never. Buy less, choose well. I buy natural fabrics like cotton & wool. I find that whether I thrift or buy it in mainstream store it can last for years to come. I tried cashmere that was so called ” Ethical” and pilled after a few wears. I have a cashmere sweater I bought 10 years ago from a mainstream brand, even as lounge wear it doesn’t pill at all. It’s all about buying less. Less stuff, less goes in the landfill.
Love your blog, Caroline. Lovely to see you back.
My signature color would have to be black! I used to think all-black outfits were “too much” for me, but I’ve since discovered that wearing head-to-toe black makes me feel beautiful and powerful. I’ve found that fabrics make a big difference, too. Something like black leather sneakers paired with black jeans and a black knit sweater can definitely create an impact while not feeling too witchy or intimidating (unless that’s what you’re going for ? ). As a bonus, my black items are easy to mix and match with the non-black items in my wardrobe :)
As a redhead these tones are my neutral :D
I absolutely love this color as well. I usually call it “tobacco” ☺️ Question for you though… how do you refer to this color in a search?? I do most of my shopping online and never know how to quantify this beautiful color. It’s not just a brown or tan but typing in cognac or tobacco doesn’t yield much for results either…
Haha GREAT question! It is tough! I usually just search “brown” and “orange” and scroll through looking for the one right piece.
Yes that rust color, along with harvest golds, avocado green, rich browns and creamy beiges. 70’s colors of my dreams!!
It’s amazing how any shift in color can have such a huge impact. I’m usually drawn to neutrals – my favorite color is gray, and I normally wear mostly black (with an occasional animal print item if I’m feeling jazzy). My wardrobe can be classy and professional, or edgy and rock ‘n’ roll, just depending on how I accessorize. It’s normally a pretty effortless no-brainer to put together a variety of outfits, because everything “goes” with everything. But sometimes it gets a bit boring. This summer, I got a mani/pedi with a friend for her birthday, and in a crazed moment of spontaneity, I chose a crazy vibrant neon coral nail polish for my fingernails AND toenails. (We’re talking glow-in-the-dark crazy fluorescent, and I freaking LOVE it! Brings me right back to the 90s!) It’s not a color I would EVER wear as a garment (ACK!!) but as an accent, it makes my entire wardrobe look like a totally different collection, just by adding the bright pop of color! It makes all my black/bland/neutral outfits look suddenly sassy and playful and fierce! Surpringly, it even complements a few leopard print shirts I have, and a pale peachy pair of earrings I often wear! I’m thinking of adopting it as my signature nail color and just rocking it forevs! (Or until I get sick of it) Eureka!! :)
What a great insight Caitlin! It’s always amazing to me how a tiny change can make such a huge difference! Love it and your enthusiasm. :)
Grey is my signature color. Everything from soft dove to deep charcoal. I love it with cream and purple but grey goes so well with almost everything.
Sienna is a much nicer way to describe what I’ve been calling my “Brown” obsession:) love your picks!
– Trina http://www.petitestylestudio.com
Soft blues–any shade, but not bright. I seem to sort of crave them. Denim blue. Navy blue. That french blue of linen shirts. Periwinkle blue. Dusty blue. Cadet grey (it always looks blue to me). I’ve always loved blues the best.
My colors these days are (besides black and white) all kinds of orange, navy, beige and dusty pink with accents of yellow and green. Sienna fits well with these and I kind of see that it appears in my wardrobe a lot, especially this almost gone summer. But it s still perfect for fall. I like to play with colors and wear something that compliments my body, skin and eyes. Sienna and its palette fits perfectly. I am enjoying your latest posts and waiting for more :)
Have a lovely day!
Andreea
another thing… what filter are you using for your photos?
My signature colours are military greens from olive to khaki through to moss. Love them and they’re a great neutral too.
Mmm, I’ve never really looked into these colors. Maybe I should start, haha! They do look very luxe.
I love your blog for fashion inspiration. So I actually had a Sienna top I wanted to wear and paired it with light blue jeans (kind of like how you modeled the other day) and it was cute! Thanks for recommending other colors to pair Sienna with :)
I feel so inspired by your mood boards, thanks so much for posting! I just wanted to let you know that I have been using that &other stories basket bag for the last 3 years; it is surprisingly practical and goes with literally everything – light summer dresses, any denim and even dark woollen coat. So far it held up really well so worth all the £. Have a lovely day :)
Beautiful pieces! Do you subscribe to the idea of seasonal color palettes? Just wondering if sienna fits in with your color palette (light summer, warm autumn, etc.) or if you just like it?!
I was coming here to comment on exactly that! Caroline is an autumn, so it makes total sense that she would be so drawn to cognac! I’ve been thinking about this since she bought those cognac booties forever ago. I never look at any of her palettes and go “I’d love to wear that” because I’m on the other side of the color wheel and her warm colors head to toe would make me look pretty ill. :P
I saw Lost in A Spotless Mind do a great post years ago on how you can wear all colors, no matter your seasonal color, if you choose wisely; but she’s since hidden/deleted the post. I’d love to draw up another one, because I can wear cognac in accessories, or citron in a skirt, or hot pink ballet flats… just not near my face or as a prodominant color. Color theory is fascinating that way!
mustard yellow has been my fave for awhile. that paired with grey were my wedding colors 5 years ago, and it’s still my fave combo.
I love this color! I have a dkny dress I got at the thrift store 12 or so years ago (when I was in middle school). Such a delicious color. There was a crayon called bittersweet that me and all my friends loved in elementary school. It was so coveted. So weird to be obsessed with a brown crayon but… Yeah I love this color too.
The warm neutral colors look so pretty! I love the Sienna items you featured especially the stripe shirt!
Mustard yellow is my colour! Love your blog Caroline, have been following it for several years and always find it inspiring, thank you. Caroline
Love these warm colors for fall!! Definitely, need to pick up a few more warm toned pieces to add to my closet :)
http://www.thebeautydojo.com
I seem to love my dark neutrals like a dark navy, dark grey, or black. For color, I love blush. I just got a blouse for my fall wardrobe that makes me think of blush-meets-pumpkin-spice!
HI Caroline- I’ve been thinking about this post whenever I go to get dressed lately. I love your signature color sienna and I love how it is so you. But, as much as I wish I could have a sienna-based wardrobe, the color is not as flattering with my coloring- I’m a “spring” with pale, pink-toned skin and blue eyes. Do you have any suggestions for color combinations that you love, but that might look better for people with different coloring? Maybe present options as an upcoming post? I tend to wear a lot of chambray and navy, but sometimes it feels a little boring….Thank you for all your inspiration!
Caroline, look at this sweater. I love it so much… reminded me of you with the color!https://shopdoen.com/collections/knitwear/products/bernadette-sweater-sienna?variant=12334793687147
I love that sweater, Amanda! Doen is a dream. :)