Dress up in gray

Grey matters

Last year, brown made a big splash as the neutral but this year gray is making headlines all over as the new neutral shade. All fashion shows and pages of the fashion glossies seems to feature gray. Catwalk queens of Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren are flaunting tights, dresses, sweaters, boots and many items dipped in gray. In an internet media interview Margaret Walch, Director of the Colour Association of the United States, says, "Gray is definitely a trend."

Walch adds, "A really hot trend is what's called complex colour." There are a series of grays and mauve tones, and very grayed-off greens. Men, of course, traditionally like blue so this is a tremendous departure for them."

Get the look

Gray may be the season's hottest hue, but that does not necessarily make it easy to carry off. Here is how to wear gray for girls and guys:

How Girls Can Work It:

Gray makes a great base to your outfit and draws attention to any other piece that you want to show off. Let the other bright colours pop off it by teaming with brown for a luxurious look or inject a drama by mixing with canary yellow or red.

Add interest to gray with ruby, purple, cobalt for a rich look. To add shine to gray, choose either gray pieces with hints of metallic thread or sequins or layer with a sequin or satin piece. For the most sophisticated look, pair gray with black or white.

Finally, an embellished little gray dress is a glittering day-to-night option. It has a soft sophisticated edge to evoke the 1950 cocktail era in a little gray dress. Accessorise with an elegant clutch bag to complete the look.

How Guys Can Rock This Trend:

The easiest ways will be with either a gray graphic tee or a shirt in stripes. Mix it up with some slightly worn out jeans and some accessories like a silver bracelet or a pewter watch to add shine to this trendy look.

No matter the colour, there are many fabulous fashion choices to make this drab palette look awesome!

The correspondent is an international AICI certified style consultant and fashion writer