Monday Musings on Butter Yellow and Save or Splurge
I’ve been musing about color a lot over the last few weeks and written about it here and here. Over the last several months, I’ve read this Little Book of Color, The Secret Lives of Color, and this book on Joy, which covers a lot about color. Clearly, I’m fascinated. And yet, when I glance into my closet, I’m greeted by a serene sea of neutrals. Soft beiges, taupes, crisp whites, ivory, and gentle grays are my comfort zone, my style sanctuary, and honestly, they feel right on me.
But as someone who works with fashion daily, I see a lot of clothes and accessories, and every so often, I find myself tempted by something unexpected. Lately? It’s been butter yellow. Yes, yellow. A shocking concept for me because I don’t own a single yellow item…even in my decor. Butter yellow is having a real moment in 2025, and it’s one of the biggest color trends for spring…right alongside soft pink. I have to say, it’s also looking a lot more wearable this time around.
I’ll be the first to admit that yellow and I have a complicated relationship. Its warmth can clash with my cool undertone, but there’s something intriguing about this new crop of buttery, pastel yellows. The key for me will be to find a version that’s soft enough to flatter…while giving me all the calm vibes of a neutral. That may sound like a tall order, and it might not work at all, but I believe in keeping an open mind. Fashion should evolve with us, not leave us behind. And if buttery yellow doesn’t work, there’s always blush pink, which has been good to me over the years.
I firmly believe that if a color makes you happy, there’s always a way to make it work for your coloring and style. You can wear it further from your face, layer it with colors that do flatter, or just add tiny touches that help you feel current. The goal isn’t to follow rules to the letter, it’s to feel confident and well styled every time we step out the door. I’m on the hunt for a butter yellow cardigan, and there seems to be lots to choose from this season.
Life Update
My husband is getting his hip replaced today. I know many of you have replacement parts, as do many of your partners or spouses. This is our first, and I admit to being a bit nervous. It sounds so radical, yet everyone we talk to is thrilled with the results and says they wish they’d done it sooner. I’d appreciate any wisdom you can share about maneuvering during the recuperation process.
Save or Splurge
Blue with white is such a fresh combo for spring, and I’ve already broken out my white jeans for the season. Here are some paired with a medium blue sweater, woven flats, a straw bag, a floral scarf, and gold jewelry. Can you tell the save from the splurge?
Outfit of the Week
This look of the week is loaded with trending shapes, fabrications, and colors. You could easily add just one to a classic outfit to update it and make it look more current.
Has butter yellow crossed your radar this spring?
Good Morning Jennifer. At my age, I guess I’m lucky that I don’t know much about replacement parts. But have many friends who do. The only thing I understand from their experiences is that hip has a much easier recovery time than knee replacement. I’m sure he’ll fall easily into the category of wishing he’d done it sooner. RE: butter yellow. I only have my butter yellow sneakers from Vionic and I adore them. They’re suede and look great with jeans. But I am looking for an accent piece to go with. So look forward to more items you find. Wishing your husband great success today.
Sneakers would be fun. I ordered a cardigan but should have started with a shoe. I hope the yellow is soft. Thank you
I’ve had both hips and both knees replaced and, I must say, the hips were so much easier to recover from. Just have your husband do his therapy, take his pain meds as long as he needs them, and he’ll be fine. They’re have him up walking in the hospital the same day as the surgery or the next with a walker, and he may be released on day two. I have been so happy with my results, and I’m sure he will be, too. Best of luck!
Thank you Niki! Your results sound amazing. They’ll be sending him home with me today…which is part of what my nervousness. 😳
Yikes, no wonder you’re nervous!same-day hip surgery?!
I don’t care for yellow at all never have. Sending healing thoughts to your husband.
Me either but I’m going to lean into the buttery side of it and see if that changes. Thanks Shari
Good morning, Jennifer. I bet butter yellow could work as a neutral in your wardrobe. It is such a soft, wearable color. I bought a soft yellow sleeveless shell from Talbots, and have worn it numerous times with a navy jacket and a blue sweater. it really does perk up my spring outfits. I hope your husband recovers quickly! My son had a hip replacement (ski injury), and he is pain free now. So worth it.
Thanks Bea
I too love a soft butter yellow but stayed away as I am a rosy pink complexion kind of girl. Pale yellow and cornflower blue just make me happy!! Last year I was gifted a pair of butter yellow shorts that I paired with navy or medium blue, white and even a medium grey. I get my butter yellow fix while not washing myself out. Win win 😊
I had my right hip replaced in 2023. I had surgery at 7:30am and was home sitting in my recliner at 2:00pm. I was able to drive in 2.5 weeks. Getting up and walking frequently is very important. My best suggestion is to use the Ice Buddy. It is a huge help for pain. Using this, I took 1/2 a pain pill at night the first 3 nights and no more after that! A suggestion from a nurse was to fill water bottles and freeze them to use in the Ice Buddy rather than using ice cubes. You can keep 2-3 frozen and use 2-3 and just change them out when needed. If your hospital doesn’t send an Ice Buddy home with you, here’s the Amazon one. https://www.amazon.com/Therapy-Machine-Shoulder-Cryotherapy-Universal/dp/B0CT8GF8MC?th=1
We ordered it! I hope it arrives quickly
Best of wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery from his hip replacement. While my husband and I still have all our original parts (LOL!), being in our early seventies we know plenty of people who have had replacement surgeries. Almost every one of them lamented that they didn’t do it sooner. Hopefully it will be the same sentiment for your husband!
I had both my hips replaced in 2010 (I was 47 at the time).
The first one I moved my bedroom to the main level, I took 8 weeks off work. Rehab went very well. The second one (5 months later around Christmas) went even better. I slept downstairs for a week to 10 days and then began going upstairs. Work was slow at that time of year and I was gone for only 2 weeks.
I am so thankful that I can walk without pain. AMAZING.
Good luck.
That is amazing!
Hello, My thoughts will be with your husband for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I, too, have heard it’s very easy.
Thanks Violet
As one who has been color typed as a Summer, pale yellow is one of my recommended colors. I bought a butter yellow top a few years ago and get compliments each time I wear it. Who knew?!
A question for you, ladies. Last week I had my usual demi-permanent color appointment with blonde highlights to cover grey. My longtime stylist accidentally mixed up the wrong color recipe from what she uses to keep my deep blonde hair that color (ack!). It is now a rather dark reddish brown. (The warm tone fights with my wardrobe and usual makeup colors. I’m very fair). She plans to put ash blonde (cool) highlights on it this week. Do you think that is a good idea?
Good luck to your husband today, Jennifer! I hope he’ll do as well as mine who has returned to his mountain hiking and racquetball hobbies.
From my limited knowledge, she will need to strip the red then tone to ash…but I’m not a pro. Ladies? Any ideas?
Good morning Jennifer!
Thank you for such a great fashion blog. I look forward to opening it each time it arrives in my emails.
I have bilateral hip and knee replacements. Hips were both posterior which is harder to come back from as muscles, etc are cut. I was in PT for quite awhile and still struggle with stairs a bit. I have several friends who have had anterior replacements who recovered very quickly. My best advice is: have your husband do his exercises religiously! A big help is a tool which your OT will have: it’s a “grabber” which makes dressing so much easier.
Hang in there! It looks worse than it is! He’ll be like new in no time!
We have a grabber and a long hook! They’re so helpful.
Jennifer – I recently had a pickleball accident in Mexico and required a hip replacement. Made me realize the importance of good health insurance and to always have a plan. Luckily had a great surgeon and the recovery was great. Had biweekly visits from a Physio for 6 weeks and then worked with a trainer each week 1x in a pool and 1x in a gym. Now 4 months later I am back home and probably in better shape than ever.
Ouch! Glad you’re all healed
Best wishes for you and your husband…..love the save or splurge. Yes I love color and I do like yellow but it doesn’t like me as well……it’s hard to find a vibrant yellow that I can handle…..my muse lol.
I’m hoping soft yellow will work for me
I had both hips replaced and it is a God-send surgery! Keep up with the physical therapy and stay ahead of the pain w/ your meds. You won’t need them for very long. I had the jiffy hip surgery and the recovery is pretty quick compared to the one where they cut into the muscle. Even with that one I think your recovery time isn’t bad. Your husband will be amazed at how he feels!
He had one where they didn’t cut his muscles too so hopefully he will recover quickly.
Best wishes for your husband’s surgery. My dad had a hip replacement at 84. They had him up walking the next day and I’m sure your husband is in better shape than my dad was.
The blue sweater was the giveaway for me, but other than that, I would not have been able to tell. I’m looking forward to wearing my white jeans and blue sweater – hopefully soon.
Jennifer, I have had both my hips replaced. The main thing is that your husband’s pain will be gone. It’s important that he do all of the required exercises and be mindful of his movements. Also, make sure that he has a reacher to pick up or grab things that he needs. Good luck— it will be good! Thank you for your posts. I love reading them. You are so prolific! Kathleen
I’ve been a lover of yellow for years! The caveat is that I don’t usually wear it, I paint with it My craft room/dressing room is a soft yellow with deep yellow curtains topped with yellow and red florals.
I’ll have to try these butter yellow sweaters. I’m a 66 yr old white blonde with pink skin undertones and green eyes. Maybe yellow will flatter me! I enjoy your posts!
I’m thinking about getting one of the yellow sweaters that you’ve shown here. Many years ago I had a sweater the color of a banana (not the skin, but the banana LOL) and every time I wore it I got a compliment. If I could find THAT shade again, I’d buy it. But those blue sweaters you’re featuring today are really gorgeous and calling to me. So glad you had time with your old friends. How special.
I do not own a single piece of yellow clothing nor do I own anything orange or green, although I used to own a pistachio colored jacket and loved it. These colors are not typically in my comfort zone. I’m definitely a more neutral and navy gal. I guessed on the splurge outfit from the purse. I love how you can price these looks for less.
Wishing your husband all the best with his surgery today.
I love the save or splurges too!
First of all – sending good vibes for your husband’s surgery! I am 1 week post surgery for my 2 nd hip replacement – this one was scheduled – the first one was from a fall and break. Words of wisdom ….. stay ahead of the pain with the meds provided ( I only need Tylenol 1-2 times a day now) – let yourself sleep when your body tells you it’s needed – walk hourly even if it’s just to the bathroom or into another room. I am celebrating small victories every day and I am sure he will also!
For today’s color – I especially love pairing butter yellow with either lilac or navy ! I am so looking forward to being healthy and stylish once my skewering goes down !
That’s so encouraging. I’m so glad you’re healing this fast. Best of luck for continued healing Paula.
Jennifer-
I’ll have you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers today. My brother-in-law has had his hip replaced and is doing wonderfully! He was back to golfing 3X per week. The key was doing the therapy and walking! He walked A LOT after the physical therapy.
That’s amazing! Thanks Ann