The Top 6 Color Trends to Mix and Match This Summer

Yes, this food-inspired hue is still going strong, almost a full year after it first started gaining steam, and there are no signs of the trend slowing down. The mellow shade has spread to 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. And while it didn’t seem to make much sense to me in the dead of winter, I do think it works incredibly well for warm weather and sunny afternoons. Don’t fret 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.

Vibrant shades of red have also been a trend for some time now, and while winter may have seen burgundy and plum rising to the top, summer will have the boldest, brightest versions pushing back into the spotlight. It makes for the perfect pop to any outfit and goes surprisingly well with a wide range of other hues, including pastels, neutrals and other primary shades. Because vermilion demands attention, no matter how large the item, this is a color you can absolutely adopt in small doses if you prefer. Start with some red socks, a red cardigan or even just a bold red lipstick before graduating to red maxi dresses and matching sets.

There is always at least one shade of pink topping the list of color trends—millennial, Barbie, ballerina, etc.—and this summer is no exception. For 2025, it’s all about the more delicate variations. Not quite pastel, but somewhere around cherry blossom or blush. This is one hue that’s feminine, sweet and, above all, easy to pull off, so I say lean into it by sporting pink ballet flats, cardigans and solid-colored midi dresses. I’ve also seen plenty of influencers pairing this dainty hue with its opposites on the color wheel—blue or green—to create a striking pairing that’s oh-so eye-catching.

Somewhere between sky, baby and Carolina blue sits a shade that immediately evokes images of crisp cotton button-up shirts. It’s paler, but not washed out, and has an inherently preppy vibe, even when worn as boho ruffles or silk midi skirts. It’s refreshing, easy to mix with basically anything in your existing wardrobe, and timeless too, making it a no-brainer to invest in. Of course, the easiest variations are, literally, crisp cotton pieces like tailored shorts, shirtdresses and button-up shirts. But opting for something much more unexpected, like a jersey tank dress or waxed barn jacket, is a super fun way to shake things up and impress even your most fashion-minded friends.

My condolences to Elle Woods, but it appears orange may truly be the new pink. Or at the very least the summer-ready hue is proving to be a trend alongside shades of pink, in swaths big and small. Think less traffic cone and more creamsicle—middle-of-the-road shades, like tangerine, are the way to go here. The cheery, warm-weather trend is easiest to wear with neutrals like beige, tan or navy, but don’t let that stop you from experimenting with bolder combinations, like hot pink, lime green or even royal purple. Much like with butter yellow, the key here is to seek out a shade of orange that best complements your skin tone.

Chocolate brown, mocha mousse, burnt caramel—whatever version you like best, warm browns of all kinds are reigning supreme this summer. It’s the ideal alternative to black or navy, which can sometimes feel a bit too stuffy for warmer weather. And while brown linen and lightweight or open-weave knits are definitely the way for clothing, brown suede is surprisingly still a great option for accessories like bags, flats or loafers, even as we head into peak summer.