Welcome to Color Math, a monthly column by Amy Smilovic, founder and creative director of Tibi. As the author of The Creative Pragmatist—a practical guide to personal style—she’ll share unexpected yet wearable ways to style trending colors through her signature mix-and-match approach. Let’s spin the color wheel!

“Please tell me you’re not going to try and show me butter yellow.”

That’s what Sherri McMullen said as we sipped wine in a cozy Paris restaurant. But you love the color, right? I asked, already knowing what awaited her back at my studio. “Yes, yes. But it’s so… hard,” she admitted, dressed in deep plum, burgundy, red pumps, and jade earrings—clearly no stranger to bold choices.

Sherri’s hesitation got me thinking. I’ve heard it before—and felt it myself every time I designed with butter yellow, only to realize how tricky it can be to style. But I wanted to crack the code. Not by making it easy—nothing worthwhile is—but by understanding what trips us up when we wear it, then flipping that frustration into confidence.

### Vogue’s Favorite Butter Yellow Pieces:
– The Oversized Top: The Row Nadina top in pale yellow, $550
– The Wrap Skirt: Tibi tropical tie-front trouser skirt, $575
– The Subtle Accent: Uniqlo colorful socks, $4
– The Polished Vest: Tibi tropical wool easy vest, $545

Our first instinct might be to pair yellow with black—a bold, striking combo that works when you’re in that mood. White? Preppy, if that’s your thing (not mine). Other soft colors? Pretty, but in city life or when you want more edge, they can feel too delicate.

The key? Expand beyond the obvious. Mix butter yellow with “no-color colors”—unexpected neutrals like murky browns, taupes, or olives—to add depth and intrigue. Pair it with pink or red for playful contrast. The goal isn’t to make it easy, but to make it interesting—and still wearable.

I always crave dimension in outfits, and color mixing is my go-to tool. With a soft shade like butter yellow, I ground it with something strong—rich browns or deep burgundy. Since I rarely lean ultra-feminine, I avoid pairing it with pale pink or baby blue (though that works for many). In spring, bright white and stark black add a crisp, urban optimism.

### My Favorite Butter Yellow Pairings:

#### Butter Yellow + Brown & Bold Red
Mixing yellow with earthy tones gives it depth and a quiet confidence.
– The Row Nadina cotton jersey t-shirt, $550
– J.Crew cashmere-blend socks, $70
– Tibi Lloyd tote, $895
– Phoebe Philo Bombé sunglasses, $750

#### Butter Yellow + Soft Pink-ish
Colors ending in “-ish” (grey-ish, stone-ish, pink-ish) add subtle dimension.
– Wales Bonner Roots polo, $570
– Ralph Lauren leather belt, $395
– Tibi tropical skirt, $575
– Alaïa fishnet flats, $920

#### Butter Yellow + Black
A sock—often overlooked—can be the perfect nod to a trend.
– Tom Ford ribbed Henley, $590
– Uniqlo colorful socks, $4
– Ralph Lauren leather…

The takeaway? Butter yellow isn’t hard—it just demands a little creativity. Play with contrasts, lean into unexpected neutrals, and most importantly, wear what makes you feel like you.Here’s a cleaner, more natural version of your text:

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Double-Wrap Belt – $395 – Ralph Lauren

Bryan Shearling Flip Flops – $295 – Tibi

Butter Yellow + Texture
Keep it modern by balancing yellow’s preppy vibe with mixed textures like shearling and metallic details.

Tropical Wool Easy Vest – $545 – Tibi

Bryan Shearling Flip Flops – $295 – Tibi

Hector Bag – $2,600 – Thom Browne

Déhanche Embellished Leather Belt – $500 – Net-a-Porter

Butter Yellow + Primary Colors
Pair soft pastels with bold reds, black, and white for a sharp, versatile look.

Roots Long Sleeve Polo – $570 – Wales Bonner – Nordstrom

Tropical Tie-Front Trouser Skirt – $575 – Tibi

Alan Slingbacks – $525 – Tibi

La Pochette Rond Clutch Bag – $1,250 – Jacquemus – Neiman Marcus

More Butter Yellow Pieces:
– James Merino Wool Polo Shirt – $320 – Leset – Net-a-Porter
– Ease Striped Organic Cotton Pajama Pants – $142 – Deiji Studios – Net-a-Porter
– Cropped Cotton-Blend Slim-Leg Pants – $860 – High Sport – Net-a-Porter
– Gabby Cashmere Sweater – $380 – Arch4 – Net-a-Porter
– Kendall Dress – $595 – Proenza Schouler White Label – Shopbop
– Oversized Wool Shirt – $650 – Ami Paris – Net-a-Porter
– Layered Cotton-Crepe T-Shirt – $790 – Jil Sander – Net-a-Porter
– Emma High-Waisted Linen Midi Skirt – $250 – Posse – Moda Operandi
– Mica Frayed Denim Shorts – $239 – Slvrlake – Net-a-Porter
– Renato Ribbed Wool-Blend Tank – $940 – Khaite – Net-a-Porter

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Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!