In Living Color: The Essential Shades of Summer

This season, brights, whites, and metallics soar high above the rest.

By Lindsay Samson

Jul 7, 2021

Summer is officially in full swing. And while this season may have brought about fresh trends including micro mini skirts, 70’s-style flared jeans, and romantic tiered dresses, color is often the main element that shifts when we go from one season to another. In terms of hues, some seasons are bold and energetic, and others are more reserved and soft; but this season borrows from both camps, ensuring that no matter your fashion sensibilities, you’re sure to find your signature shade.

From brilliant blues and sunny yellows to crisp whites, read on to discover the six standout shades that are defining summer 2021, and allow our selection of vividly colored pieces to deliver a welcome dose of positivity.

Into the Blue

A dependable all-rounder, it’s no surprise that blue hasn’t gone anywhere. The omnipresent hue is something of a fashion staple, with shades of navy, indigo, and the like having long ago taken up permanent occupancy in many a fashionista’s wardrobe. This season, however, blue has reclaimed its brilliance and is making its presence known in the form of cerulean, cobalt, and robin’s egg blue. Think Reform Studio’s Rebel Tote, Emmy Kasbit’s Udo suit set, and Diarrablu’s Pino Jumpsuit to name but a few pieces that perfectly embody these three shades respectively. As these shades of blue usher in the summer months, they carry with them a welcome sense of peace and tranquility.

White Out

When it comes to fashion, few other colors embody the feel-good spirit of summer quite the way that white does, whether it’s in the form of breezy, linen button-down shirts or cotton dresses that are ideal for long, lazy days spent at the beach. It’s subtly eye-catching and provides a beautiful blank canvas against which the subtlest details really pop. Take Andrea Iyamah’s Alya Poncho Cover-Up: crafted from a sheer, lightweight fabric called Tencel, the garment’s soft porcelain hue seems to emphasize its striking neckline, braided belt, slits, and seams, while Fruche's Akwaocha Top is just the piece to set off a golden tan and boasts a crisp, clean modernity.

Heavy metal

As far as clothing goes, metallics can be tricky to pull off, but as one of summer 2021’s favorite tones, it’s at the very least worth a try. And don’t think that you need to keep the glittering golds for the nighttime either—there are plenty of ways to add a little glitz, glam, and sparkle into your everyday wardrobe this season. Viviers’ cheeky Alchemical cropped tee is just the thing to lend your look a casual touch of shimmering sparkle, while Loza Maléombho’s gold-plated bronze embellished sandals deliver a subtle touch of metallic flair. Perhaps you prefer your gold in the form of jewelry? In that case, turn to gilded creations in sculptural forms like those of Adele Dejak, the contemporary elegance of which looks perfectly summery when paired with a tie-dye shirt and a great pair of sandals.

Green Light

Make your fellow fashionistas green with envy as you show them how to rock the latest color of the season. That's right, green is great again and this season’s gorgeous greens run the gamut from pastel mint and seafoam, all the way to emerald and olive. Called the “New Millennial Pink” by Vogue in 2020, it seems wearing your greens is as important as eating them. If you’re someone who tends to stick to the neutrals, you'll find yourself gravitating naturally towards deeper shades, but if your style is a bit bolder, may we suggest playing on the other, slightly brighter side of the grass? Turn to the tennis ball green-hued Basjia Clog by Shekudo for a subtle touch of the color or dive headfirst into the trend by embracing the head-to-toe green stripes of Studio 189’s Andy suit set.

Yellow Card

The rainbow’s sunniest hue—which also just so happens to be one of Pantone’s Colors of the Year 2021—materializes this season in both soft, pastel shades and bright, buttery dandelions, each one proving to be an instant mood (and ensemble) elevator. Which hue you choose all depends on your skin tone and how much of a statement you want to make. However you decide to embrace yellow—whether you’re dialing up the brightness in Andrea Iyamah’s vivid Zuri bikini or going for just a gentle squeeze of lemon-like that of Viviers’ Ombre Tracksuit set—this color is guaranteed to add some sartorial optimism to your wardrobe.

Red Alert

Probably one of the most inherently powerful hues out there, red remains one of summer’s most beloved colors. Often referred to as the color of love, the fiery shade is bold, bright, and energetic. It exudes confidence and an air of old-school glamour too—especially in the form of elegant cocktail attire or a classic men's-style suit. But given just how bold it is, figuring out the colors that go with red can be somewhat of a head-scratcher. Feeling a little apprehensive about diving headfirst? We suggest gently dipping your toe and turning to scarlet accessories for that splash of color. Whether it’s a classic clutch (check out New Tangier’s Red Salma Clutch or Okapi’s Aja style) or an oversized tote, let these subtle touches of red fire up your weekend uniform of jeans-and-a-tee.