Summer is the season for bright, vibrant colors that reflect the energy and warmth of the sunny days. Clothing in summery hues can instantly lift your mood and make you feel ready for adventure. When building your summer wardrobe, focus on light, breezy fabrics in a rainbow of feel-good colors. Certain shades inherently capture the essence of summer, while others add bold pops that command attention. Read on to discover the 12 best summer color trends to liven up your look this season.
1. White
White is a quintessential summer color that symbolizes fresh beginnings. It’s crisp, clean, and goes with everything. An all-white outfit has an effortlessly chic, polished look. From dresses, to shorts, skirts, pants, tops, shoes and more, white is extremely versatile. It’s lightweight and reflects sunlight, helping to keep you cool on hot days. White also creates a blank canvas you can accessorize with other vibrant summer colors and prints. Build your summer wardrobe around basic white staples, then mix and match additional pieces for unlimited outfits.
2. Yellow
Yellow brings joy and warmth like the summer sun. It represents happiness, optimism, and energy. Add a burst of yellow to your summer style whenever you need an instant mood boost. From bright lemon to soft pastels, any shade of yellow evokes sunshine. Try pairing a lightweight yellow blouse with white jeans, or rock a vibrant yellow sundress or jumpsuit. Yellow looks great on all skin tones and complements other summer hues like pink, blue, green and orange. Let yellow’s cheery glow energize your look all season long.
3. Pink
Pretty in pink takes on lively new meaning in the summer. Shades of pink from ballet slipper to fuchsia embody the season’s carefree femininity. Pink has a soft, romantic quality perfect for sundresses, skirts, tops, rompers and more. Pastel pink makes a delicate statement, while hot pink packs a punch when you want to stand out. Pink is extremely versatile – pair it with neutrals like white, beige or gray for a subtle look, or mix with other bright colors for a playful pop. Add pink into your summer wardrobe whenever you want to channel your inner girly-girl.
4. Orange
Orange evokes images of radiant sunsets, citrus fruits, fire and warmth. As a bold, lively color, orange makes a confident style statement. It’s energetic, uplifting and instantly grabs attention. Orange is a perfect summer color for those who aren’t afraid of vibrant hues. It looks great on bronzed skin and can be quite flattering. Rock orange shorts, skirts, dresses, tops or accessories to spice up your summer style. For a more subtle look, opt for peach or coral shades of orange that softly complement other colors.
5. Lime Green
Looking for a summer color that really packs a punch? Lime green is powerful, radiant and impossible to ignore. It adds an instant fun factor to any summer outfit. Lime green shorts, skirts, tops, dresses, swimsuits and accessories make an eye-catching style statement. This electric shade is bold, youthful and adventurous. If lime green feels like too much on its own, incorporate it as an accent color in patterns, prints or accessories. It’s guaranteed to wake up any summer look and get you noticed.
6. Turquoise
Escape to tropical waters with the cool blue-green tones of turquoise. Reminiscent of pristine beaches and lapping waves, turquoise evokes tranquility. At the same time, it’s bright and stimulating as a fashion color. Turquoise looks beautiful in breezy summer fabrics like linen, cotton and chiffon. Whether you opt for an airy turquoise dress, top, shorts, skirt or beach cover-up, this refreshing shade feels effortlessly summery. Turquoise also makes a fun, splashy impact when used for accessories like handbags, sunglasses, hats, sandals and statement jewelry.
7. Lavender
Dreamy, delicate lavender is a light pastel hue that instantly evokes thoughts of relaxing summer days. Its soft, feminine energy is perfect for flirty dresses, skirts, tops and accessories. As an alternative to traditional pink, lavender has a touch of whimsy and sophistication. Pair it with crisp white for a charming look, or mix with vibrant colors to balance the brightness. Breathable cotton, linen and chambray fabrics feel extra pretty and romantic in lavender. Whether you’re hanging out at a summer picnic or strolling along the beach, lavender helps set a lovely scene.
8. Red
Red always makes a bold statement. True red packs a passionate punch, while orange-red evokes warmth and coral-red carries tropical flavors. Ruby red says classic elegance, while deeper burgundy red leans sophisticated. No matter which shade you choose, red instantly commands attention. It’s vibrant, lively and perfect for summer fun. Try a flowing red sundress, causal red shorts, or red accents on sandals, jewelry and handbags. Red keeps things exciting and makes a stellar style companion to classic white or blue denim. Rock your favorite fiery red hue for an instant dose of summer spirit.
9. Navy Blue
Crisp navy blue offers a refreshing alternate to standard black and brown. Having a nautical vibe, navy feels right at home in summer. Pair it with white for a preppy twist or mix it with other bright accent colors. Navy blue works in dressy and casual looks alike. Try a lightweight chambray button-down, flowing maxi skirt, casual shorts, beachy striped tees or classic denim. Navy also makes a great neutral base for prints and patterns featuring pops of color. Ground your look in navy blue, then build fun combinations on top for endless styling possibilities.
10. Coral
Somewhere between pink and orange lives the summery hue of coral. This peachy-pink shade effortlessly blends color and neutral vibes. Softer than neon orange but bolder than pastel pink, coral strikes the perfect balance for summer style. It epitomizes tropical sunsets and sea shells. Breezy coral dresses, swimsuits, shorts, tops and accessories feel playful yet polished. Coral complements virtually all skin tones with its warm, welcoming glow. For head-to-toe impact, pair coral with white. Or use it as a pop of color to brighten up neutral basics. Coral is a universally flattering shade for summer.
11. Light Blue
Few colors evoke summer vibes quite like light blue. Depending on the shade, it makes you think of cloudless skies or refreshing pools. Lightweight chambray fabrics in light blue feel laidback and beachy. Soft pastel blue is dreamy and romantic, perfect for flowy dresses and skirts. Bold aqua or teal blue makes more of a statement for shorts, tops or bright accessories. Look for pretty embroidery, eyelet details and lace in light blue to up the feminine charm even more. And nothing beats classic denim blue – a staple look that’s crisp, casual and perfect for summer fun.
12. Mint Green
Mint green is a pastel stunner, light and refreshing as a summer breeze. It’s youthful, playful and pretty, ideal for short shorts, flirty skirts, dresses and feminine tops. Mint green looks beautiful with floral prints and details like ruffles or lace. At the same time, it has a crispness that pairs well with preppy looks. Mint green accessories add a splash of color to any summer outfit. Reminiscent of childhood essays and sweet pistachio ice cream, mint green evokes carefree nostalgia. Style it up for a pop of soft color that feels both beachy and beautiful.
Most Flattering Summer Colors by Skin Tone
Here’s a guide to choosing the most flattering summer colors for your skin tone:
Light, Peach Skin Tones
– Pastels: light pink, mint, lavender, sky blue
– Neutrals: ivory, blush, peach
– Blues & Greens: soft teal, seafoam
– Metallics: rose gold, silver
Fair, Pinkish Skin Tones
– Clear Brights: lemon yellow, ruby red, sapphire blue
– Soft Neutrals: parchment, rose beige
– Nature-Inspired: lilac, sage green, peach
– Metallics: platinum, gold
Medium Skin Tones
– Warm Brights: orange, coral, lime green, turquoise
– Earth Tones: khaki, mocha, terracotta
– Rainbow Brights: emerald, violet, cobalt
– Metallics: bronze, copper
Olive, Yellow-Undertone Skin
– Cobalt Blue, Royal Purple, Grass Green
– Burnt Orange, Brick Red, Chocolate Brown
– Soft Greens, Navy Blue, Pink
– Metallics: Antique Gold, Rose Gold
Dark Brown to Black Skin Tones
– Vibrant Rainbow: fuchsia, emerald, tangerine
– Earthy Neutrals: bronze, espresso
– Jewel Tones: sapphire, ruby, amethyst
– Metallics: Gold, Bronze, Silver
Most Versatile & Practical Summer Colors
When building your summer wardrobe, focus on versatile neutrals and colors that pair well with multiple pieces. Here are the most versatile shades to get you through summer in style:
| Color | Why It’s Versatile |
|---|---|
| White | Matches anything, goes with all colors and patterns, lightweight and cooling |
| Beige | Neutral base to pair with prints/colors, suits all skin tones |
| Denim Blue | Classic, laidback, matches all other hues, goes with everything |
| Navy | Nautical flair, pairs with brights or white, dresses up or down |
| Pink | Feminine charm works with both neutrals and bright accent colors |
| Red | Pops against neutrals, vibrant energy for days and nights |
| Coral | Soft yet bright, effortlessly bridges neutrals and bright colors |
| Yellow | Cheery and lively, complements blues, greens and pinks |
Mixing & Matching Summer Colors
One of the best parts of summer style is creatively mixing colors for fun combinations. Here are foolproof ways to match different summer hues:
– Pair neutrals with any color (white, beige, tan, denim blue)
– Complementary colors (blue & orange, purple & yellow, red & green)
– Monochromatic looks (all shades of one color)
– Analogous colors (side-by-side on the color wheel)
– Bright accent colors with black, white or denim
– Vibrant colors with earth tones
– Pastels and jewel tones
– Rainbow brights
Get creative and come up with color combos that make you smile! The right mix will help reflect your personal style.
Conclusion
Summer clothes in vibrant, mood-boosting shades allow you to have fun with self-expression. They key is choosing colors that you feel amazing in. When deciding which summer color trends to incorporate, consider your skin tone, existing wardrobe, personal style and the occasions you’ll wear them for. Bright white, denim blue and neutrals make versatile basics, while pops of color in happy hues add flair. Look for lightweight natural fabrics that feel breezy in the heat. With the perfect summer color palette, you can relish the sunny days in chic, cheerful style!
