The Top 7 Color Trends to Mix and Match This Summer

We predicted Bottega Green—a specific shade of Kelly green first popularized in 2021 by the brand Bottega Veneta—as the number one color trend of the year way back in January, and so far our prediction has proven to be right on the nose. This vibrant shade continues to pop up in our social feeds and in the best-sellers lists at retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop and Revolve. And while we’d argue that the hue is universally flattering on all skin tones, it is pretty attention grabbing. So if you’d rather slip in just a hint here or there, we suggest pairing it with warm neutrals, like caramel, beige or gold, for a beautiful balance.

Each season we tend to see one neutral hue more than any other. Sometimes it’s a bright, crisp white or stone gray, but for summer 2023, we’re rocking multiple shades of brown. The comforting warmth of deep chocolate, rich caramel and even sandy beige feels both approachable and pulled together, striking an ideal balance between casual and dressed up. Swap your go-to black or white accessories for brown versions instead, or go all in with a head-to-toe monochrome outfit. Either way, this subtle swap is sure to elevate even your most basic weekend ensembles.

Veri Peri, a pale purple hue, was Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2022, but it’s still going strong as we barrel through 2023. It was a popular choice for the Spring/Summer ’23 runway shows as well and showed up multiple times in the Victoria Beckham, Brandon Maxwell, Jil Sander, Ulla Johnson and Oscar de la Renta collections, just to name a few. Of course, Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze” music video gave the shade a major boost as well. What’s particular fun about this pastel hue is that it pairs equally well with neutral tones, like black or brown, as it does with vibrant shades, like cherry red or lime green.

There’s a range of popular blues currently circulating through our Instagram feeds, from cerulean to teal to cobalt, but all have one thing in common: they evoke images of the sea. This is in part because these colors are being worn most in draped, flowy silhouettes or slightly shimmery fabrics, like silk or lamé. So while you can (and should) wear whatever ocean blue clothing or accessories you like best, we highly recommend investing in something that at least hints at the current Mermaidcore trend for maximum effect.

Metallic daywear has been having a moment ever since New York Fashion Week, but silver appears to be overtaking gold or copper as the top color choice for summer. Whether you opt for a lightweight lamé, classic sequins or another flashy metallic embellishment, be sure to offset silver’s party-ready vibes by pairing it with super casual wardrobe staples. Think crisp white button-up shirts tucked into sequin pencil skirts, cropped white T-shirts layered over silver joggers or a denim dress worn with a glittering shoulder bag.

Some call it lime, some chartreuse (one PureWow editor loving calls it Gross Green), but whatever your name for this acidic hue, it’s one you’re about to see a whole lot more of. Much like the Bottega Green above, this is one hue that’s made to stand out, so we say lean into it by sporting a solid-colored dress, trousers or long-sleeve blouse rather than playing it safe with some sandals or a mini handbag. If you do want to mix it in with other hues, neutrals will be easiest to work with. Otherwise, try pastel shades that can soften the overall vibrance of this kiwi-inspired green.

Black is not often the most popular choice for summer because the dark hue absorbs light, providing you with extra warmth—something you definitely don’t need mid-August. However, we’ve seen a big uptick in shoppers searching for all things black. Our advice is to lean toward shades that aren’t quite so dark and deep to help alleviate some of that extra heat. The best clothing items also have some kind of interesting texture or silhouette, like lace or cut-outs at the waist, to prevent you from turning into a shapeless blob. Or you can try layering black separates to achieve a similar effect.