When you think of the term ‘neutral’, do the tried and tested shades of black, white, cream, beige and grey come to mind? Well, no longer just reserved for these tones, today the criteria has been expanded and the phrase is being applied a little more liberally. 

Extending to almost any shade that connects and grounds, the way people see colour in their surroundings and outfits has changed dramatically, even more so in line with Covid-19. 

At a time where human connection has been so missed, flesh-tone shades of pink and brown are making a nice alternative to greiges, and as we yearn for a closeness to nature, blues, greens and reds are being used to emulate woods, fields, deserts, sunsets, rivers and the sea. 

Even when it comes to white, the most classic neutral shade of them all, we are seeing the influence of this shift - with more people than ever before opting for shades that are built from warmer, creamer undertones than their brilliant, stark counterparts. 

When it comes to the new neutrals, it's not so much the colour that matters, but the shade. When we talk about pink, we’re not looking at vibrant bubblegum that could easily overwhelm, but a shade more akin to Farrow & Ball’s now-famous Setting Plaster. The same goes for the reds, blues and greens, with deeper, moodier, more muted tones the preference for getting this look right and seamlessly blending into any surrounding. 

Put simply, the New Neutrals palette isn’t made up from ‘wow’ statement shades, instead featuring tones that manage to remain bold but balanced at the same time.