Summer Color Trends That Double as Mood Boosters

From mellow yellows to powdery pinks.

Sara Holzman's avatar
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summer colors collage
(Image credit: Courtesy / Susanna Hayward)

You can choose to ignore the runway trends, but color? It's everywhere. Finding your favorite hue may come down to how it makes you feel, and wearing it, even unknowingly, can be a powerful communication tool. From ethereal blues to gentle yellows to feminine pink hues, the spring/summer 2021 runways are leaning into the power of color theory. Here are the top color schemes to tap into.

Sky Blue

summer color collage

Hermès, Loewe, Fendi

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Reminiscent of a cloudless sky, designers are embracing soft, soothing blue hues. The color's calming influence graced short suits for business, jumpsuits for play, and floaty dresses for wiling the summer away in.

Rust

summer color collage

Dior, Miu Miu, Acne Studios

(Image credit: Courtesy)

This earthy tone is no longer reserved for the autumn season or '60s corduroys. In a sheer fabric or silky strap dress, we're putting it at the top of our summer wish list.

Mellow Yellow

summer color collage

Givenchy, Miu Miu, Bevza

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Contrary to bright canary yellows, this gentler iteration is suited for a monochrome look. Luckily, the effects of wearing it are still mood-boosting.

Powdery Pinks

summer color collage

Prada, Chanel, JW Anderson, Proenza Schouler

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Exuding charm, romance, and hope, a dusty pink color can be worn as a neutral. The runways were chock-full of it; on sophisticated dresses, light summer knits, and quirky tailored suiting.

Golden Hour

summer color collage

Paco Rabanne, CELINE, Dries Van Noten

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Synonymous with ambition and good fortune, summer's gold tones express optimism. Wear the alluring color on everyday staples like windbreakers and maxi skirts or parade them celebratory on capes and gowns.

Soft Grey

summer color collage

Michael Kors, Issey Miyake, Brunello Cucinelli

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Perfectly poised for plush sweaters and trims in cold weather, we're reminded that grey is anything but a drab winter tone. From breathable knit dresses to vacation-ready gathered skirts, soft grey is the ideal warm-weather palette cleanser.

Orange Theory

summer color collage

Sportmax, Versace, MSGM, Miu Miu

(Image credit: Courtesy)

Designers played with uplifting orange colorways in statement-making prints and proportions. If you're not ready for all eyes on you, opt for an attention-grabbing citrus accessory instead.

Sara Holzman
Sara Holzman
Style Director

Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she has worked in various roles to ensure the brand's fashion content continues to inform, inspire, and shape the conversation around fashion's ever-evolving landscape. A Missouri School of Journalism graduate, she previously held fashion posts at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and covered style and travel for Equinox’s Furthermore blog. Over a decade in the industry, she’s guided shoots with top photographers and stylists from concept to cover. Based in NYC, Sara spends off-duty hours running, browsing the farmer's market, making a roast chicken, and hanging with her husband, dog, and cat. Find her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.