The Summer Color Pairing We All Should Have Seen Coming
Much more approachable

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

We are in the throes of summer (and 90 percent humidity), with butter yellow still reigning supreme since it’s surge in early 2025. But, while the shade is a showstopper on its own, I’m noticing fashionistas finding new ways to embellish it this season—sometimes in surprising ways.
PureWow Editorial Assistant Courtney Mason first noticed butter yellow and cherry red cropping up in late winter. A surprising combo, for sure, given, as she called it, the ketchup-and-mustard vibes. As the year went on, I noticed another pairing that I think will carry us through August: Butter yellow and blue.
This poppy duo has been dotting the runways recently, notably in the Spring/Summer26 shows, including Paradis, Amiri, Fiorucci, Kenzo, Undercover and Willy Chavarria, with street style photographer Karya Schanilec also capturing a bevy of outfits in the wild.
If you’re thinking, Great, another color trend I need to master, don’t fret. For the same reasons cherry red and butter yellow worked so well together, blue and butter yellow do, too, specifically because they’re all primary colors. I love the butter take because it softens yellow’s innate vibrancy and makes it a gentle pastel instead of something electric or Minions-like. It’s elevated—and by choosing the right tint or shade of blue, you can create plenty of visually interesting outfits. Below, ten items to get you inspired for summer’s hottest color pairing.

Marissa Wu
Editor, SEO and Audience Development
- Writes across all verticals, including beauty, fashion, wellness, travel and entertainment, with a focus on SEO and evergreen content
- Has previously worked at Popular Photography and Southern Living, with words in Martha Stewart and Forbes Vetted
- Has a B.S. in journalism from Boston University
read full bio