Katie Holmes and Oprah Are Wearing the Softer (and Sweeter!) Color Coming for Butter Yellow — It’s Stylist-Approved

Give your fall neutrals a refresh with vanilla yellow, as seen on Katie Holmes, Jennifer Garner, and Oprah Winfrey. A stylist and color expert explains how to wear fall’s dreamy alternative to beige, white, and cream, with sweaters, jeans, matching sets, shoes, and more from $14

Slaven Vlasic/Getty ; Chris Delmas / AFP via Getty ; Astrida Valigorsky/Getty

The butter yellow trend is getting a makeover.

Introducing vanilla yellow, a softer, more muted take on the vibrant shade. Color expert and stylist Dani Galo describes it as having “a warm, creamy quality that feels cozier and more refined for fall.”

Celebrities are already on board: Katie Holmes, Jennifer Garner, and Oprah Winfrey have all worn similar shades. And it’s surprisingly easy to work into your existing wardrobe without having to rethink your entire outfit — just swap it in anywhere you’d normally wear white, beige, or another light neutral. Below, shop vanilla yellow finds for fall starting at $14.

Vanilla Yellow Pieces for Fall

Give Your White Jeans a Break: Grapent Straight-Leg Stretchy Jeans, $42; Amazon

Ideal for Layering Between Seasons: Quince Lightweight Crewneck Sweater, $30; Quince

Comfy Without Looking Sloppy: Trendy Queen Matching Lounge Set, $45; Amazon

Your White Sneakers’ Fun Cousin: Cole Haan Crosscourt Sneakers, from $32 with coupon (orig. $35); Amazon

One Dress, So Many Plans: Quince Smocked Midi Dress, $70; Quince

Basic Tee That Isn’t Boring: Ododos Bamboo Viscose Crewneck T-Shirt, $14; Amazon

Cozy Outfit Upgrade: Prettygarden Oversized Chunky Knit Cardigan, from $29 (orig. $42); Amazon

Oprah Winfery/Instagram; Katie Holmes/Instagram; Jennifer Garner/Instagram

Grapent Straight-Leg Stretchy Jeans

These stretchy, high-waisted jeans have a straight-leg silhouette similar to the vanilla-hued pair Garner recently wore in an Instagram video, and they can easily replace white denim as summer winds down.

Galo especially likes vanilla yellow denim because it “can be worn in so many different ways,” from polished to casual. For fall, she recommends pairing the color with warmer shades like olive green, burnt orange, camel, leather brown, or deep espresso.

Complete the Look

Quince Lightweight Crewneck Sweater

Vanilla yellow in “sweaters and knits is an absolute yes for fall,” according to Galo, as the shade feels fresh while still giving an outfit that cozy seasonal look. This cotton-cashmere crewneck is light enough to wear on its own with jeans or trousers, but can also be draped over your shoulders and used as a layering piece with a tank top or button-down when the day warms.

More Sweaters and Knits

Trendy Queen Matching Lounge Set

Oprah served a masterclass in head-to-toe vanilla yellow dressing in an Instagram post, and a matching set makes the idea especially easy to try. This Amazon best-seller takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, comprising a short-sleeve, ruched top that shapes the waist and coordinating wide-leg pants with an adjustable drawstring.

Want just a taste of vanilla yellow? Dip your toes into the trend with a pair of shoes that adds a subtle pop without committing to an entire outfit. Keep scrolling for more ways to wear fall’s most delicious new color below.

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