Chartreuse: can anyone wear it?

Chartreuse is the yellow-green named after a French liqueur. It sits between lime and mustard, and it is the colour the fashion world argues about every few seasons. This autumn the argument is back. Fashion Brick Road lists colour blocking among the trends of the autumn 2026 shows, with tomato red, mustard yellow and citrus, and credits Chanel with the most striking take, inspired by the 1960s.1 Mystylebox reports bold colour statements and colour blocking across Fendi, Gucci, Prada and others.2

Why it is hard

Yellow-green reflects onto the skin. Close to the face, it makes most complexions look tired or slightly ill, especially in grey northern light. That is why chartreuse jumpers look wonderful on the hanger and disappointing in the bathroom mirror. Very dark and very warm skin tones are the exception and can carry it at the neck.

Why it is worth it

Because a small dose of citrus makes everything else look expensive. Next to black, grey, navy or chocolate, a flash of chartreuse looks intentional and modern, exactly the colour-blocking effect the runway was after. It also photographs strongly, which is half of fashion today.

Citrus is a spice. Use it like one.

Where to put it

• On the feet. A saffron or citrus slipper with black trousers.
• In the hand. A small leather piece, a cardholder, a clutch.
• Under a coat. A citrus layer that only shows at the opening of a dark coat, far from the face.
• As a beanie and scarf. The only exception near the face: knitwear in a soft, warmer yellow is far kinder than a sharp green.

What we found in the shops

True chartreuse is rare in the shops we checked this week, so our picks are its warm neighbours. Toteme's velvet venetian slippers in saffron and its liner jacket in mustard, Nanushka's small Origami cardholder in lime, and Colorful Standard's merino turtleneck in soft yellow at €140 for those who want to try the colour family at a low price.

Who should skip it

If you dress mostly in beige and cream, citrus will clash rather than spark. Try bordeaux or chocolate instead; they give the same lift without the risk.