Tangerine, Lilac, Yellow, Oh My! Your Summer Color Palette For 2021

By Jordan Julian

Published on 5/27/2021 at 12:55 PM

Veronica Beard
Veronica Beard
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Summer is widely considered the season to experiment with color. Whether you gravitate toward daring neons or prim pastels, you'll likely find yourself shoving black and gray items to the black of your closet in the coming months. And now more than ever before, after over a year of staying at home, we predict that people will not be afraid to turn heads with showstopping looks. Each summer, different colors tend to take center stage, so we did all of the research for you this time around. Ahead, you'll find a guide to your Summer 2021 color palette, featuring some of our favorite shopable items in each shade.

Tangerine
aloyoga.com

Tangerine

Channel your inner creamsicle with this bright, sunkissed orange. A vivid color like tangerine may seem intimidating, but it is the perfect bold pop of color to offset neutrals like white or denim. This Alo Yoga Halo Crop Tee ($46) is designed to transition you from your workout to the street.

Or, if you want to make a splash on your first day back in the office, try this sophisticated silk tunic ($375) from Veronica Beard. If full neon isn't your thing, we recommend incorporating orange into your accessories with this By Far Mini Rachel Bag ($415).

Lilac
forloveandlemons.com

Lilac

Lilac is lavender's flattering, slightly subtle sister. Named for the delightfully fragrant purple flower, this pastel need not be limited just to spring. A pair of bike shorts like this option ($64) from For Love & Lemons is the staple your closet is missing. You can wear them to Spin class or with an oversize tee, sneakers, and chunky socks for a casually cool daytime look. The Banana Republic Flyweight Shorts ($60) in Sugar Lilac are made from a breathable, lightweight fabric that you'll want to live in all summer. This girly purple-pink hue is also a great way to embrace the slides footwear trend. Check out these Steve Madden Marshal Lilac Slip-ons ($70).

Butter Yellow
bananarepublic.gap.com

Butter Yellow

Yellow has never been so mellow. The sunshine hue has gotten a grownup makeover, and the result is an endlessly wearable butter yellow. This Banana Republic Ribbed Sweater Dress ($129) has an easy column fit and is made from sustainable materials. Versatile in its almost-cream tone, this take on yellow is also ideal for shoes, like these Reformation Ruched Block Heel Mules ($248).

Sky Blue
bananarepublic.gap.com

Sky Blue

Hear us out. Blue for summer may not seem groundbreaking, but there's a reason this dreamy color is a classic. Summer is the season of oceans, swimming pools, and endless blue skies, so why not mirror that in your wardrobe? A silky collared blouse, like this Banana Republic Resort Shirt ($70) goes well with white jeans for nighttime or open over a swimsuit as a cover-up. You can also take the sky theme one step further with the Anna Tank Azure Cloud ($88) from Beach Riot.

Does denim count as sky blue? We think so! This Coach Swinger 20 ($295) in Chambray is giving us all kinds of 2000s-era nostalgia.