Alternatives To The Hard-To-Pull-Off Color We Can’t Escape: Butter Yellow

It doesn’t take an observant person to realize that butter yellow is everywhere this season. Walk into any store, and you’ll be swarmed by a sea of buttercream – a yellow so sweet that it’ll make your teeth hurt. It’s breached its way into interior design, red carpets, and it’s on our minds, potentially for the worse, as it also doesn’t take a color analyst to realize that it’s hard to pull off.

As a pale girl, who lives in England (so has no chance of getting a tan unless I buy a bottle of Bondi Sands), I’m struggling not to cave and buy an item of clothing in this color; it’s unavoidable at this point. Although it can be a very flattering color, I realized quickly that yellow is just not one that I suit – an upsetting realization as a girl whose favorite Disney Princess was always Belle.

So, what are you supposed to do if you’re like me and you’re trying to stay on trend whilst avoiding this color? Here are some classic alternatives to the butter yellow fad, for all those who have tried and have been humbled by attempts to suit yellow.

Red of any shade 

If you want to find a color that is universally flattering, you don’t even have to look beyond the primary colors! When it comes to fashion, red is always the solution to any boring outfit. Every time you need a pop of color, or you want an outfit to appear more coherent than it is – add a touch of red! Any shade of red is timeless enough so that you don’t have to worry about whether it’s on trend – the color never goes out of style! And a lighter, brighter red is perfect for summer, as it’s fun and playful (as well as acting as a subtle nod to our sunburns).

Something to note, reds tend to steal the show, so try not to pair it with another bold color – they do best when they’re the center of attention, so couple them with a cream, a white, or a light pink, as to not overpower and clash.

A muted, soft pink

Another great option is a soft pink! Step away from the dusty pink that was overdone in the late 2010s, and the baby pink which will be forever tainted by the invention of baby showers and choose something gentler. Although summer feels like the place for vibrant colors, something muted can be so soothing, and fit perfectly for the days spent in the sun. Neon, bright pinks were overdone in the summer of Barbenheimer, and we as a collective have grown since then; we’re ready to move on to something more subtle. This summer, powder pink is having its moment. The perfect mix between feminine and understated, this color works wonders as the base of an outfit.

Icy Blue 

It seems counterintuitive to recommend a cool-toned color in the summer, but a light blue pairs well with the season. When we tend to choose warm colors to match the weather, don’t underestimate the value of a cooler tone to contrast the climate. An icy blue in particular matches nicely with warm shades of orange and pink, adding variation to the color scheme. Cool-toned, light blues are proof that a color doesn’t always have to suit the season to suit the outfit, and who said that summer colors need to have a warm hue anyway?

Chocolate Brown

This color is smooth and rich, just like its namesake, and can easily act as a base for an outfit. What might seem like an unassuming color, in that it’s not particularly bright or eye-catching, will always be a safe baseline for any outfit. The beauty of a chocolate brown, as well, is that it works all year round: it can act quite comfortably as a basic in all seasons, meaning that all the clothes you buy in this color could feasibly be worn all year round – ideal for those of us on a budget!

Sunset Orange 

This is a color that seems reminiscent of a holiday, as it’s best styled with a tan and the remnants of sea salt in your hair. It’s a classic summer color, but because it’s not as bright as butter yellow, it’s easier to pull off. Another versatile color, as its warmth stays relevant in the autumn, but would probably need some additional layers to make your sunset orange clothes truly transition-friendly.

Bye Bye Butter Yellow

And there you have it; these are 5 classic summer alternatives which are infinitely more universally flattering than butter yellow!

It’s a thing that you come to realize once you dip your toe into the fashion world: trends are everything. And when you don’t like or suit a trend that is sticking around, you can start to feel a little ostracized from the style conversation. But it doesn’t have to be like that! There are things that will always be trendy, so when dislike of a trend begins to feel personal, choose classic and not commercial! And don’t feel alone if you have ever felt personally insulted by an item of yellow clothing.