Nifty Neutrals: Rust

Rust is a fantastic and little known neutral color. Normally associated with autumn this reddish-brown hue pairs well with a multitude of colors and prints. Depending on the colors and prints you pair with rust, this warm color can be worn through every season.


1.Neutrals. Neutrals look chic with rust. Now depending on what color you pair with rust with rust, it will change the overall concept of the outfit. Black paired with rust looks simple and chic, and very little embellishment is needed. Navy and rust looks not only chic, but very refined. Taupe creates a simple and dressed down ensemble. Finally, white is a great way to lighten up this warm color during spring and summer.

For this outfit, I paired a cream blouse with a rust denim skirt. I then added a black military style jacket. The look is completed with a black and white lace shimmer head wrap and a pair of black felt flats.

2. Colors. Colors and neutrals were just meant to go together. Purple and rust is a fantastic autumn ensemble. Want a vintage 70s look? Wear turquoise and rust. Turquoise is a great color to freshen up rust during the summer months. Paired correctly, turquoise does not have to look vintage, but can look modern. Teal and rust creates a sweet yet modern autumn look. Emerald green is a rich jewel tone that transitions well from late autumn into the winter months. Think mid-December, collecting pine cones or searching for a Christmas tree. Want to create stark contrast between color and neutrals? Wear bright pink. Want a sweeter look? Wear light pink or rose pink. Last but not least there is mustard. As I mentioned early, rust is often associated with autumn. A great way to play up this autumn inspired hue is to pair it with mustard.


For this outfit, I was inspired by the hues of late fall and early winter. I styled a rust denim skirt with a forest green sweater. I layered a charcoal gray faux leather jacket over the sweater. The look is completed with a pair of gray faux suede boots and a forest green head wrap.

3. Denim. Dark wash denim paired with rust is causal yet sophisticated. A fantastic look for either the late summer rodeo or the local pumpkin patch. Really want a cowboy inspired look? Pair rust with light wash denim.


This outfit was simply pure fun to style. I took this rust denim skirt and simply added a dark wash button down shirt with it. The outfit is completed with a pair of chambray inspired flats and a floral print head wrap for some visual interest.

4.Metallics. Gold and silver function like neutrals. They work well with everything. When paired with other neutrals like white, gold accessories help create a sophisticated ensemble. Silver accessories paired with rust will actually help to cool down and balance this warm hue.

Metallics are always fun to style. With this outfit I went with fall inspired tones by pairing rust with a gold lace sleeve blouse and wine velvet flats. I completed the look with a soft pink and cream braided head wrap.

5. Prints. Prints are fantastic with colored denim and neutral denim. Rust has the added benefit of looking great with neutral prints and color prints. When working with prints (and with solid neutrals) it is important to have a completer piece. Simply translated, a completer piece is an article of clothing- not an accessory- that pulls the outfit together. Some ideas of completer pieces are jackets, cardigans, and blazers. When adding a completer piece, create visual interest by pairing color with a neutral print and rust, or by pairing a color jacket, cardigan, or blazer that takes its ques from a color in the print of the to you are wearing. For example, if you are wearing a teal and pink medallion print blouse, pair a peach or teal cardigan with your outfit.


While rust is associated with autumn and winter, I wanted to do something more in touch with springtime. I did this by pairing a rust denim skirt with a mojito mint short sleeve sweater which is layered under a chiffon navy floral print bomber jacket. To complete the outfit I added some silver sequin flats and a navy blue head wrap.