What colour jacket / cardi to wear with neutral top and black jeans?!

[fakeit2makeit]

So I’ve got to dress smart casual for work (leaning towards more smart than casual - it’s a school) and I’ve got a wardrobe full of neutral tops (creams, browns, taupes, greys etc), that will most often be paired with black trousers - my problem is that no jacket / cardigan ever seems to look right with it. Black is too much black and another neutral looks weird. I’ve thought about white but it’s very summery and I’m quite pale so it tends to wash me out a bit (also I have two toddlers so STAINS).
Help!

Thank you :)

I’d go for a bright colour like orange, red, or green?

I'd go for a rusty orange one. I have this one and it goes with everything - white, black, navy, khaki, grey.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/mesh-v-neck-short-cardigan-468541.html?dwvar4685411_size=SMA002&cgid=IDwf-limited-offers

I have just seen they are now on sale so I'm going to buy another one in a different colour!

I think either colours in this would work
https://www.next.co.uk/style/LS434920/B35092

Or a dark green https://www.next.co.uk/style/LS401857/P99521#P99521

If you are pale try something in teal/kingfisher. I don't think 'rusty' colours really work on very pale skin

Literally any colour depending on what suits you!

I agree though a third neutral would just look dull (unless you go for that all one colour neutral look, which is supposed to look very chic but just makes me look like I have no imagination!).
So pick your favourite colour!

I’d burn all the black trousers and re-stock your wardrobe …

Work jackets are surely best in muted, neutral colours that go with everything?

Have a look at Cos for contemporary colours and styling.

Community Clothing do very good quality plain trousers in a small variety of shapes.

I agree with @InTheBleakMidsummer to a point, general advice is to avoid bright colours with black. I do like black trousers but tend to wear them with a neutral t-shirt or jumper rather than a jacket or cardigan. The cream and grey tops should look fine with the black trousers, and probably a black oversized blazer? I can't imagine black and brown looking particularly nice, maybe beige wide leg trousers with those tops?

You've put jeans in your title, I'd swap those for smarter trousers and then you probably won't need to smarten the look with a jacket. If you do need a jacket maybe something like this?

Seasalt have some nice cardigans that would work well with what you've suggested - from 3/4 sleeve summer ones to warm merino ones and everything in-between, as well as some casual linen etc jacket-y tops.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/sweet-day-organic-cotton-knit-cardigan?color=37584

If you like wide legged trousers, I'd suggest shopcider.com - they have some elasticated waist wide trousers that are really comfy, have really deep useful pockets and come in some muted colours that you could use your muted tops with for a different but still quite smart look - and they are currently only £12 a pair (even less if you use their app and assorted discounts). I've lived in a black pair this summer - and would love a navy pair but sadly they don't do all colours in plus sizes. For a cheap pair of trousers they look great - I've had loads of compliments - and they wash really well. There are other trousers on there too that look a bit smarter if you want to ring the changes a bit.

shop cider comfy trousers

Also think about adding a nice chunky necklace or scarf to your outfit - you can get them cheap as chips on eBay and vinted - which can help to pull together an outfit that's just very plain colours that are't obviously tied to each other...