5 Colorful Neutrals Replacing Butter Yellow This Spring
Butter yellow had a chokehold on fashion girls for the better part of two years. But this spring, the grip is loosening, and a fresh crop of colorful neutrals is making a very strong case for your closet real estate.
Before you blow your entire spring budget on more butter yellow, meet the other trending colors coming for its throne. Because as much as we love her, mellow yellow has been running the show for several years now, and the new girls have arrived.
My grandmother’s favorite color was yellow. She’s the only person I knew, up until a few years ago, who claimed the hue as a favorite. For much of my life, I considered yellow to be an ugly color. I thought my beloved Grammie was cute but misinformed. Turns out, she was just ahead of her time.
At first, I didn’t understand the obsession with butter yellow. I always considered yellow to be largely bland and, in many instances, unflattering. As I said, ugly. Was the rise of butter yellow all a psyop by Big Fashion? Or is it actually that good?
Perhaps I’m a victim of fashion propaganda or perhaps my tastes have changed. Regardless, I’ve come to regard butter yellow as being in a league of its own. It's sunny and energy-giving while remaining mild enough to incorporate into any and all outfits. It’s calming and grounding. Unlike brighter and darker hues of yellow (from highlighter to goldenrod), it's also flattering against all skin tones. And because it’s so demure, it’s easy to style as a neutral.
Five Colors Replacing Butter Yellow This Spring
Whether or not you’re a fan of butter yellow, you have to appreciate what it did for spring outfitting. It inspired us to treat colors as neutrals. And therefore, granted fashion enthusiasts a gateway to getting elegantly creative with color. It’s shown us that we don’t have to stick to the basics to be chic.
While wearing pastels during the spring is far from groundbreaking, this season we’re seeing a slew of inspired, creamy hues take the main stage in a fashion-forward manner. They’ve transformed from a mandated seasonal expectation to a covetable trend.
These are the hues about to take over your feed, your closet, and your Pinterest board this spring.
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Mint Green
When I was a kid, my favorite color for many years was “seafoam green.” It reminded me of mermaids, mint ice cream and, at the crux of it, magic. So imagine how excited I was to see this color popping up repeatedly across fashion websites.
Darker varieties of green have become increasingly popular over the past several years with hunter green, for example, currently considered a must-have color for fall and winter. It’s exciting to see a lighter tone making its way into the spotlight this spring.
Grab a breezy springtime dress in this ice cream-esque hue or lighten a basic OOTD with a fresh pair of pumps. This hue pairs well with picnics in the park and walks on the beach. Buy now and style through the end of summer.
Abercrombie & Fitch Bra-Free Lace-Trim Button-Through Mini Dress, $90
Abercrombie & Fitch Sydney Smocked Dipped-Waist Midi Dress, $120
Banana Republic Heirloom Linen V-Neck Sweater, $160
C.Paravano Bow Detail Colorblock Slingback Pumps, $158
Sky Blue
When butter yellow started peaking in popularity, its most common color counterpart was sky blue. Something about the two colors together is both completely natural and enticingly unique. It’s a fresh, pleasant combination, particularly in the spring. Now, some experts are calling this icy blue the next butter yellow.
Sky blue, or icy blue, dominated spring/summer ‘26 runways and is incredibly approachable for everyday wear. Unlike butter yellow, which is warm and grounding, sky blue is chilly, lending a crisp, fresh aesthetic to the wearer. I’ll admit, it reminds me of Cinderella’s iconic gown or the ice dress worn by our favorite snow queen. It’s hard for the inner child within us not to love it.
Style this emerging color with butter yellow for contrast or with denim for a monochromatic look. Sky blue accessories are also particularly trendy right now, and can add a breath of fresh air to any and every OOTD.
Reformation Carolina Skirt, $218
Everlane The Cozy Rib Long-Sleeve Tee, $59
Aerie Oh Snap! Sweatshirt, $39
Madewell The Camren Gathered Shoulder Bag, $130
Sage Green
Sage is mint green’s warm-toned counterpart. Reach for this muted hue if you’d like to add seasonal color without feeling like an Easter egg. If you’re a by-the-seasons girl, note that soft summers and soft autumns are particularly flattered by this color.
Style a tried-and-true pair of sage cargos or opt for a fashion-forward lace skirt. Add an unexpected pop of color with a sage bag or, if you’re like me, go all in with a pair of sage cowgirl boots. This color brings energy and charm, and can be easily restyled during the summer and fall.
Reformation Carolina Silk Skirt, $248
Tuckernuck Olive Stripe Knit Odie Tee, $98
Coach Outlet Mini Klare Crossbody Bag With Floral Print, $129
Blush Pink
Elle Woods would be thrilled to see how popular soft, blush pink has become. While it’s always been a chosen hue in feminine dressing, we’re now seeing it take over the full spectrum of outfitting, including businesswear.
Pink boots or heels can complement the floral spring dresses hanging in your closet. A pink dress can serve as a chic one-and-done outfit on warm spring days. And a pink blazer or laptop bag can help you feel like a total boss in the office without sacrificing your femininity.
Steve Madden Riggs Pink Leather, $200
Poppy & Peonies Multitasker Blush, $125
H&M Lace-Trimmed Slip Dress, $30
H&M Short-Sleeved Peplum Cardigan, $25
Lilac (and Lavender)
I would not call myself a Taylor Swift fan. But I’ll admit her Lavender Haze sequin dress + fur coat “Midnights” outfit will live rent-free in my mind for years to come. Considering the rise of sky blue and blush pink, it’s not surprising that lilac (and lavender) are also having a moment. The shade is a middle ground between the two and offers up another cool-toned, trending option.
Lean into this hue to embody soft femininity. It’s a particularly great option if you love demure, delicate dressing but aren’t necessarily a fan of pink.
Lulus Briar Lavender Eyelet Embroidered Button-Front Top, $45
Calvin Klein Smooth Cotton Rib Button-Down Tank Top, $42
AE Sunchaser Knit Mini Dress, $41
Altar'd State Selina Maxi Dress, $88
Mavena & Co. Modern Leather Basket Handbag, $76
And We Still Love Butter Yellow
To be clear, the new colorful neutrals are a fun and exciting change of pace. But we can’t deny that butter yellow still very much holds a place in our hearts (and our closets). If you purchased some butter yellow pieces over the past couple years, don’t fret. The soft, creamy hue is very much still on trend and coveted by fashion it-girls everywhere.
H&M Ruffle-Trimmed Cotton Blouse, $17
A&F Sloane Twill Tailored Wide Leg Pant, $60
Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Drop Waist Midi Dress, $70
Rifle Paper Co. East West Canvas Tote Bag, $42
Hunter Women's Original Tall Rain Boots, $190
How to Style Colorful Neutrals
If pastels feel intimidating, here's the mindset shift: stop treating them like "colors" and start treating them like neutrals. Once you make that switch, styling gets infinitely easier. A mint green works just as hard as a cream. A lilac pairs just as effortlessly as a gray. Pastels are almost always more interesting than your standard black-white-gray rotation. Same versatility, ten times the personality.
Here are three styling ideas for incorporating colorful neutral colors into your daily looks.
Grab a Colorful Shoe
A colorful pair of shoes can instantly brighten any outfit. They have a way of screaming “fashion forward.” They exude confidence. Wear them enough and they can even become a trademark of your personal style.
Style Them With a Dark Neutral
If you’re skeptical of light, pastel colors, try anchoring them with a darker true neutral shade. Butter yellow and mocha brown. Sky blue and burgundy. Mint green and dark denim. The contrast creates visual interest and makes incorporating these spring colors more accessible.
Pair Them Together
A fun aspect of colorful neutrals is how incredibly well they play together. Think sage green and blush pink, or butter yellow and sky blue. Life is short—don’t be afraid to have fun as you’re putting your outfits together.
Lean Into Color to Make the Most of Season
Getting dressed in the morning should feel like an experience. And there’s a lot to be said for taking inspiration from the season. Savor the spring by leaning into color. Re-wear colorful favorites or, when shopping, dare yourself to explore new shades. Lean into these trending hues to brighten your outfits and grant yourself a new sense of energy and inspiration.