The Top 7 Color Trends to Mix and Match This Summer

Last year, PureWow’s Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth rightfully predicted a Bottega Green color trend—a vibrant shade of Kelly green popularized by luxury brand Bottega Veneta, but this summer’s newest color trend comes from a certain fictional character rather than a handbag. Thanks to the Featherington diamond of the season, a more mellow and nutty pistachio green (aka, Bridgerton green) has taken its place. Penelope Featherington’s wardrobe in season three not only marked a subtle transition for herself, symbolizing the blend of Featherington and Bridgerton families, but for us, as well. In fact, I’ve observed how prominent the Bridgerton effect has been on fashion, and dearest reader, it’s BIG. From bikinis to matching co-ord sets to heels, Bridgerton green is reigning over our summer wardrobe purchases. While there certainly are many ways to wear the green that seamlessly marries yellow and blue, a head-to-toe monochromatic look is always a good idea. And don’t be afraid to ground a colorful striped blouse or printed dress with a handbag or heels in the sharp shade.

Nearly every publication has its eyes on the rise of butter yellow, and for good reason, because it’s simply perfect for the warmer months. The mellow shade has slowly but surely spread across the best-sellers lists at retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop and Revolve, and now it’s nearly impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing some form of the “It” color of the season in some capacity. When content creator @aquired.style, who’s well known for her hair tutorials and styling reels, wore the now sold-out Monique dress (aka, the dress that garnered heaps of attention for its similarity to the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days gown) from Australian label Arcina Ori, there was no doubt in my mind that the golden hue would shine.  Countless designers, like Sandy Liang and Schiaparelli, are sending the food-inspired color trend down the runway, so I except this happy hue to remain the color of choice for as long as the summer sun shines. And don’t worry if you don’t love the way a classic butter yellow looks against your skin tone; you can (and should) try slight variations on the shade for the most flattering effect. Think: a soft and elegant buttermilk not far from the beige family or slightly bolder, more sunset-y shades.

Earlier this month, Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint announced that we’re entering the summer of Sabrina (Carpenter, that is), which can only mean one thing: It’s peak season for Brina blue—aka, that calm yet vibrant turquoise the singer loves to don on stage. One of her most memorable looks that comes to mind is when her stylist, Jared Ellner, dressed her in a vintage Victoria’s Secret babydoll slip for her “Espresso” billboard imagery, and it didn’t stop there. Throughout the music video, you’ll see the blonde beauty surround herself in the blue-green shade, whether it’s her outfit, a book or a car’s interior. So, please please please do prove me right and wear whatever turquoise clothing or accessories you like best. I highly recommend investing in something that commands attention (or a stadium for that matter) if you want to make like Sabrina for maximum effect.

Each season we tend to see one neutral hue taking off more than any other. Sometimes it’s a bright, crisp white or stone gray, while last summer it was shades of brown. Summer 2024, we’re rocking pearlescent whites. The hue feels both approachable and pulled together, striking an ideal balance between elegant and effortless. Prepare to see lots of strapless silhouettes and full skirts in the effervescent color. Swap your go-to black outfits with a head-to-toe monochrome outfit, preferably in linen for a cooling effect. Either way, this subtle swap is sure to elevate even your most basic weekend ensembles.

Ambiguous, dreary, melancholy…gray gets a pretty bad rap, but as more and more people began to adopt silver tones from the metallic trend this past year, it created an opening for the muted hue to take off. With corporate core entering our feeds, ‘90s-inspired gray-toned office attire, including pencil skirts, trousers, blazers and A-line dresses, have quickly become capsule wardrobe staples. They make great basics, too. If you want to zhoosh it up for summer, try pairing a gray mini skirt with a graphic T-shirt and leopard print heels, or ground a casual denim outfit with gray pointed pumps.

Make way for soft pinks, people, because I for one am a little bit over last summer’s Barbiecore trend. This year is all about blush, ballet and pastel pinks. These not so in-your-face-pinks are reminiscent of the millennial pink that was popular in 2017 and again in 2021, leaving its “basic” and “mainstream” associations in the past. This is one hue that’s feminine, sweet and, above all, rather easy to pull off, so I say lean into it by sporting pink ballet flats, cardigans and solid-colored dresses. Many influencers are planning on coupling its opposite on the color wheel—blue—as it creates a rather striking pairing that’s balancing, complementary and oh-so eye-catching.

Peach Fuzz, a juicy pale sherbert hue, was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2024, and as I’m beginning to see a trend toward a pastel palette (soft pinks, butter yellows, etc.), it’s no surprise to see this warm and delicate shade shine. I’m instantly reminded of the peachy Victoria Beckham gown Phoebe Dynevor stunned in at the Met Gala carpet this past May, and who could forget Jessica Biel in that Tamara Ralph silk faille gown? While we may not be galivanting to the biggest fashion event of the year in a black-tie dress code, both celebrities present prime examples on how to wear the elegant shade. Most notably, wearing solid-colored peach fuzz frocks for a summer wedding, or even a semi-sheer silk skirt in the yummy color.