Summer is the perfect time to incorporate fun, playfulness and a little more color into your wardrobe, like this year’s butter yellow trend. For those of us who live and die by our neutrals, the thought of bright colors, especially one like yellow, can seem a bit intimidating. Fortunately, the color of the summer is way more wearable than you might expect.
Butter yellow has been spotted on celebrities, runways and style influencers; the fashion world just can’t seem to get enough of it. Ahead, we’ve consulted experts on why the color is so popular, how to incorporate it into your wardrobe and some of their favorite pieces.
What is the butter yellow trend?
“Butter yellow is a fresh, wearable hue between beige and bright yellow,” says Jonathan Marc Stein, a stylist and founder of Jonathan Marc Stein Atelier. “It’s a modern take on a classic pastel,” fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant Kenzie Welch adds. “Pastels are always trending in the summer season,” she says, “but this shade of yellow feels inviting, calm and sophisticated.”
Butter yellow’s timelessness makes it a perfect option for people of all ages and personal styles. Its versatility might just be what takes it from a trendy hue to a color that stands the test of time. As a semi-neutral and soft color, “it’s very accessible even for those who are shy to try new fashion trends,” Stein says. “It offers layering and vast opportunities for combining with other colors to create a cohesive look.” Welch agrees, adding that it’s a color that can transition from casual to professional, making it a versatile addition to your wardrobe beyond just one season.
How to wear butter yellow
With a fashion trend like butter yellow, there are limitless ways of adding it to your wardrobe. From breezy sundresses to relaxed linen, you’ll find plenty of staples in the creamy hue. Ahead, find 22 stylist-approved picks for how to wear the sunny color.
Described by stylist and creative director Danyul Brown as “a staple piece for anybody’s day-to-evening wardrobe this season,” a simple tank dress like this option from Aritzia “can be styled up or down to suit the occasion,” he says.
Stylist Ali Kornhauser loves this “very '90s and minimal” shirt that she says “can be paired super easily with other neutrals to bring life and freshness to capsule pieces you already own.” It also has the added benefit of being a year-round staple. “I think butter yellow is here to stay for more than one season,” she says, “so it can be layered under a blazer for the fall or paired with a gorgeous skirt or shorts for the summer.”
A sleeveless funnel-neck tank like this option from Everlane is this year’s must-have top, and it’s so simple to pair with basically anything you already have in your wardrobe. It’s made from the brand’s extra-fine ribbed Supima cotton, which is super comfortable, lightweight and curve hugging in all the right ways.
This crochet-trimmed butter-yellow top ticks all the boxes for summer style. It's breezy and sunny, and it has cute design details like decorative trim and buttons down the back.
You can’t go wrong with a sleek shoulder bag, and this asymmetrical option from Melie Bianco looks super similar to far more expensive bags on the market. The shade of yellow is absolute perfection, and the zipper closure is a welcome practical touch for keeping valuables safe and secure.
J.Crew has a whole assortment of butter-yellow options to shop this season, including this minimalist pair of smooth leather flats. The style combines the pastel color with one of this year's biggest shoe trends, Mary Janes.
Kornhauser loves this top for a feminine take on the butter yellow trend, which boasts an elegant, classic silhouette and a flattering fitted waist. “It's gorgeous with a pleated short, a miniskirt or a full-length trouser to turn it into a nighttime look,” she says.
According to Stein, high-waisted pants are a great wardrobe piece that are pretty universally flattering. This linen-blend option, available in three different lengths, is perfect for any and all warm weather activities, whether you’re lounging by the pool or running errands.
Singapore-based fashion brand Love, Bonito knows a thing about creating stylish, affordable pieces that keep you comfortable even in the summer heat. This dreamy cotton toga-style dress is a showstopper that’s just as practical as it is chic, thanks to a smocked waist and side pockets.
“Cardigans are the perfect staple for your wardrobe,” Welch says. She loves this one for its versatility. “You can style it with linen pieces in the summer and easily transition it to wear with jeans and boots in the fall.”
“If bold hues aren't your thing, another way you can add color to your look is with a statement shoe,” Welch says. “The butter yellow shade is great for adding a pop of color, especially if you like neutrals.”
These chic trousers, which you can purchase alongside a matching vest top from the same brand, are a gorgeous and super-easy piece for summer styling, Kornhauser says. “Simple to dress up or down, it can be transformed and layered to suit all occasions.”
“If you want to elevate a simple look, I recommend adding a statement piece to your outfit like this butter-yellow trench coat,” Welch says. “This jacket would pair well with a T-shirt and jeans, but it would also look great over a white suit, linen dress or even a black leather skirt.”
Reformation’s linen pieces are some of the best, and this butter-yellow minidress is like an homage to the color itself. It's fun and playful while still elegant and classic. And the ruffle detailing? Irresistible.
A tank top is an essential layering piece for summer, and this one comes with a flattering scoop neckline and relaxed fit.
“A butter-yellow handbag can be a great way to opt-in to the on-trend summer color,” Stein says. “Accessories are a great option to integrate a new color into your wardrobe with low risk,” he adds, recommending a leather option — like this one from Marimekko — in a classic yet unique shape.
Nothing says summer quite like a pair of relaxed shorts. This option is made from a soft French terry and includes pockets on the side, along with a drawstring for a comfortable look.
“You can never go wrong with a suit style in your wardrobe,” says Welch, who also recommends this blazer’s coordinating pants. “This sophisticated style is perfect for combining together or mixing and matching with other pieces.”
One simple way to embrace the butter yellow trend? With a simple summer dress. Stein recommends an option with a “nice neckline and draped bottom,” which complements all body types and makes for a youthful yet elegant look.
Easy to pop on and pair with jeans, shorts and dresses, the versatile ballet flat is a perfect shoe to opt for in a non-neutral color. This adorable round-toed option from Franco Sarto features a lovely bow detail.
“Midi or loose-fitting skirts are a key staple piece for anybody’s wardrobe this summer,” Brown says. “They are a perfect example of streetwear meets chic,” he adds, and “can be styled with anything from an oversized blazer to a cute tank or cardigan.”