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?
Best wishes on the surgery. I love yellow- it is like wearing sunshine. I have shoes and purses in yellow. I had a yellow dress years ago, but it had to be ironed. It did not last too long in my closet as I hate to iron.
I am hoping that your husband’s surgery went very well!!
My mom had one hip done and she did great. She was in the Why did I wait so long? Club.
Best wishes for a very speedy recovery!
Thanks so much, he did well
Hi Jennifer, I have two replaced hips, and the difference it made in my daily pain level was incredible. He’s going to feel so much better! Best wishes to both of you.
Thank you so much
With my cool skin tone, I avoid butter yellow and most colors with yellow in them. I tend to look washed out, so I will be not be buying it. Likewise, I do not wear gold or brass colored jewelry or accessories. However, I have purchased items in the soft pink this year, as they seem to have a femininity that I like.
My husband had the hip surgery. Before the surgery, he was in so much much that he would yelp out in his sleep. After the surgery, he was like a new man. In my husband’s case, he was in significant discomfort for the first two weeks after surgery, but on Day 15, he was like a new man and able to take steps without pain for the first time in years. Good luck to your husband and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Wow! That’s amazing for your husband
I am sure your husband will be fine! We are all so lucky to live in a time when we have these surgeries available. It isn’t easy but once you go through PT, it really is such a gift. I have had a reverse shoulder replacement. It was a fairly new surgery when I had it. My husband has had one knee done. We are in our low 80’s and grateful we are able to keep being active!
Hi Jennifer,
I love bright yellow and wear it as often as I can. I have warm undertones with strawberry blond hair so it is a good color for me. You inspired me to get a new yellow cardigan. Talbots had the perfect one and it was 40% off today. Thank you for helping all of us to look our better!
Yellow is a color I tend to steer away from, it tends to make me look jaundice. Mixed with other colors is ok.
Prayers for a speedy recovery for your husband. My husband has only had knee replacement so no words of wisdom except the PT really helps with healing.
Thanks Joanne
Had hips replaced over 20 years ago. Still going strong. wish I had done it sooner. Results good and long lasting. Still use the pull-on device to put on my socks. Best operation ever.
not a single yellow thing but didn’t notice until you mentioned it.
mel
I had my hip replaced 11 years ago at age 57. It was truly life changing. Arthritis had made walking very uncomfortable and I could feel my life becoming more narrow. But as a result of the replacement I’m able to hike, cycle, dance, play with our toddler grandson, and do anything else I want. Like the fountain of youth! It will be important for your husband to follow doctor’s orders during recovery AND be diligent about physical therapy. You get to be his cheerleader. He’s going to do great!
I hope his success is as good as yours!
My 67 husband had shoulder replacement surgery on his left shoulder three weeks ago. At 37 years of age, he had a stroke which left him with one working arm – the left one. We were both very nervous about anything going wrong with the surgery on his good arm, but he is doing great… And at last pain-free after many years of suffering. I wish the same happy results and quick healing for your husband. I know you will take good care of him as he needs help for awhile!
I’m so happy to hear your husbands surgery went well!
I wish your husband a speedy recovery!
Jennifer, very excited for your husband! I’ve had both hips replaced and always surprised when asked if I’m in any pain. No …….that’s why you have the surgery, to eliminate the pain. My last replacement literally was out-patient surgery. First surgery of the day with plenty of time for the assessment to allow me to go home. I was 73.
Amazing Suzi! Thanks, I hope he ends up pain free too
Healing thoughts go out to your husband. Take care of yourself as his caregiver too. My husband had both hips resurfaced and traveled from Illinois to South Carolina to have the best surgeon do both. Best tips for afterwards, stay ahead of the pain if pain medication is needed or prescribed. Use a large black plastic trash bag on carseats to sit on. Easier to ease/swivel out of the car. Physical therapy is great to help get things going correctly if he wants best results from his hip surgery before having his knee replacement. Love butter yellow, but not one of my best colors. Love that blue denim purse you featured.
That plastic bag idea is pure genious!! Thank you, we’ll try this because the car was very hard for him to get in and out of. We drove a long way for his surgeon because we read he was the best.
I’ve had both knees and one hip done, and the hip was by far the easiest. LOTS of ice will help, and doing your home exercise PT helps recovery. I’m 8 months out from my surgery, and I’m skipping the Mothers’ Day 5K, but I am doing the 2-mile walk. Sending good thoughts for calm and healing (and patience for both of you!).
That’s amazing! Thanks so much
Personal trainer here, I work with post PT hip/ knee replacement clients. Yes, use pain management drugs . Yes, definitely do the exercises ! Yes, hide car keys. Yes, my clients are all glad they did it!
Good luck!
You must be a mind reader! Just yesterday I bought a pair of butter yellow Dolce Vita rattan flats after eyeing them online for weeks. But then I realized I have almost nothing to go with them as I don’t own a single yellow item. I have painted several rooms in our house pale yellow but have never liked to wear any shade of yellow. So now I’m on the lookout for butter yellow summer tops. I won’t know how that shade looks on me until I try it on as I’ve always avoided it.
I wish you and your husband all the best during his recovery!
The yellow will be fabulous as a pop against navy, gray, white, brown…lots of other colors.Thank you
I’ve had my knee replacement and both hips. It’s so important to do your physical therapy exercises at home every day. I set an alarm on my iPad for three times a day – 10:00, 2:00, 6:00. And, the pain meds cause awful constipation so he’ll need to stay on top of that with laxatives. He’ll be pleased he had it done and be anxious to move onto his knee. It gives you your mobility back and the biggest plus is the lack of pain.
I’ve never tried yellow. I’m not sure it would suit my colouring. Like you, I need cool colours. But, it is so very cheerful!
Great idea about the alarm! I will suggest it
The butter yellow is the perfect shade for blondes, it’s on my summer color chart.
Best of luck to your husband! I’ve heard hip is the easiest surgery to recover from, and I can attest to knees being the worst! I’ve had two bunionectomies, two knee replacements, two thumb joint replacements, a baseball-sized morgagni hernia, and a quintuple heart bypass! I’m the surgery queen! 😄
There’s a yellow on mine too. Thanks so much
I am almost ready to celebrate my 2 year anniversary for my new hip. Everyone is different, so encourage your husband to go at his rate. It was my first replacement, and I was discouraged because everyone told me it was so easy. Not quite my case, but I am so very glad I did it when I did. I’d recommend he take his painkillers on schedule and stay ahead of it. Especially the next few days.
Thanks Donita! I am encouraging him to do just that
Our friend Stephanie is under the knife for her second hip surgery right now! She did really well with her first hip but really needed the second one. I didn’t know that they did same day surgery on hips! Make sure they give you written instructions for home care. You will not remember verbal instructions very well. I’m also a retired RN. There are products out there like MiraLax for constipation. Have him take his pain medication at least one hour before PT. Then he will be more cooperative with the work. Your husband looks like a tall man next to you, make sure he is able to stand and walk with his walker before you take him home today. Insist. One night in the hospital may be needed post anesthesia. Everyone is different. I had my right knee done and it took me three weeks to recover from it. I did the PT and my daily home exercises. Until people see my scar, they don’t realize that I had it done. I did have to stop downhill skiing but more from balance issues and a sense of caution than ability. We are fortunate that technology has gotten really good in these procedures and allowed us all to remain active in our golden years. Hugs coming your way from Colorado. I don’t wear yellow, it makes my skin look sallow.
Thanks Sydney. I agree, we are sooo lucky to have these options