Every year, I patiently wait through the other three seasons just for my favorite of them all to finally arrive: Summer. What can I say? I just love everything about the summertime—summer vacations, warm weather, sundresses, beach days, pool days, frozen drinks, and summer Fridays. The list of reasons why summer reigns supreme and holds the title of my favorite season can go on forever. But one of the things I really love about summer is that once it's here, my wardrobe takes a turn for the colorful. For me, there has always been this unwritten rule about wearing bright clothing during the other seasons of the year. I'm not sure what it is, but I have always felt like you save your brightest and most colorful pieces for the summertime—it just feels right.
As a person of color, embracing different shades that accentuate my brown skin is a top priority when it comes to summer dressing. There are seven colors that I have been seeing on other BIPOC fashion individuals and influencers, and they have been living rent-free in my mind. All seven are bold, fun, chic, and summery, and in my opinion, they look incredible on black and brown skin.
Keep scrolling to see which colors I'll be wearing all summer long.
PINK
Did someone say "pretty in pink"? With the highly anticipated Barbie movie coming to theaters this summer and the rise of Barbiecore we've seen throughout 2023, it's a safe bet that pink is going to be one of the most popular colors of the summer, embraced by celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike. It's the perfect color for that summer vacation you've been eagerly anticipating. Plus, let's face it, pink is just a fun color to wear.
ORANGE
I'm not sure why, but every summer, I get the most excited about pulling out some orange items. There is something so summery and tropical about the color orange to me, and in my opinion, it's a color for those who are bold and not afraid to stand out. Not to mention, it looks divine on sun-kissed brown skin. You'll be seeing lots of orange looks from me this summer.
BLUE
I'll be honest, when it comes to colors, I usually shy away from blue. Not for any particular reason—I'm just the type who is more drawn to the warmer colors of the rainbow. However, seeing fellow Who What Wear editor Indya in this icy blue Rezek studio set has completely changed my perspective. This color is so cool and stylish. I love the idea of wearing a light blue look out East in the Hamptons.
RED
Red is currently having a major moment. From the runways to street style to fashion enthusiasts, everyone can't seem to get enough of this fiery hue and they're incorporating pops of red whenever they can. When it comes to red, you can go for a full red outfit, like the one I wore above in this red linen mini dress from Reformation, or you can also add a red shoe or handbag here and there for a subtle touch.
WHITE
The color we have been waiting to wear all year is white. I'll speak only for myself, but there is nothing quite like putting on a great all-white look in the summer. It feels expensive, elegant, and stylish—just the first three words that come to mind when I imagine myself in a stunning white linen ensemble, holding a glass of rosé, with the sun shining. When it comes to summer whites, I'm partial to linen, but whichever fabric you choose, you can't go wrong with a white look for summer.
GREEN
Bottega Veneta famously used various shades of rich kelly green a few seasons back, and ever since then, I have officially become a green lover. Particularly for summer, this color stands out and grabs attention. Wearing green can be a bit tricky, so I recommend going one of two routes when styling. You can opt for a full-on monochromatic green outfit or pair it with another fun color like pink or blue.
YELLOW
Limoncello, anyone? Now, I know I said white was my favorite color to wear during summer, but yellow is a very close second. It's the happiest color out there and looks particularly stunning on brown skin. There is something so warm and light about a beautiful yellow sundress. I'm not saying there are rules for when to wear certain colors, but I've always felt that summer is the best time to rock a yellow look.
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