6 Colour Trends We'll All Be Wearing This Summer

There’s a lot to be joyful about this year. Many of us (myself included) will embark on our first abroad holiday in two years, weddings can resume without official restrictions, and gatherings can be held, well, just for the absolute fun of it. Throw in a milestone Jubilee the whole country will be celebrating, and this summer is effectively going to be one gloriously overdue party. Now, this is Who What Wear, so naturally, the question turns to what you’re going to wear. Might I suggest embracing the euphoria by styling yourself in one (or more) of the dopamine colours that are so prevalent in the new collections?

The summer 2022 runways looked as if a confetti cannon had gone off, as shades of pink, lilac and yellow fluttered their way into the hearts of everyone in attendance. That’s not to say that there weren’t pieces to appease those with muted palettes, but the resounding aesthetic from S/S 22 was celebratory, and the most defiant colour trends reflected that. The blush shades from previous seasons transformed into Hubba Bubba bubblegum. At the same time, more vibrant tones, such as Amalfi tangerine and garden-pea green, were presented in a slew of grown-up silhouettes, taking them to high-end territory.

Indeed, this kaleidoscope of colour was seen everywhere from New York to Paris, and now, it's lighting up our social media feeds, as influencers have begun to embrace colours as we hurtle towards summer. But which summer 2022 fashion colours are truly taking off? We hardly had to deliberate over the six big winners.

Ahead, feast your eyes on the rainbow of shades that’ll make your wardrobe a more joyful place this summer.

1. Garden Pea

Style Notes: You can thank Bottega Veneta for putting green—specifically Kelly green—back on the fashion map a few seasons ago, but now, we’re beginning to see a shift towards slightly softer shades of green coming through. Emilia Wickstead channelled the shade through dresses, while L’Agence took the suited approach. 

2. Tangerine Twist

Style Notes: It’s no secret that fashion people are into orange in a big way right now, but what I find most intriguing is how it has also been adopted by minimalist dressers. I put this down to the punchy tone requiring next to no styling, for it’s already enough of a statement on its own. Take cues from Hanifa, and invest in a bright-orange dress to set yourself apart from the rest at any summer soirée you attend. 

3. Bubblegum Pop

Style Notes: Although I’m a big fan of the orange shade we’ve just spoken about, I have to agree with Elle Woods when she said, "Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.” Orange might indeed be fabulous, but pink has proven itself perennial, not just on the runway but in our wardrobes. For 2022, embrace bubblegum, Barbie-inspired hues, the sort seen at PatBo. 

4. Volt of Cobalt 

Style Notes: It’s been a few seasons since blue felt quite so relevant as it does now, and I, for one, couldn’t be happier about it. For 2022, striking shades of energy-surge cobalt took to the runway in various forms—from structured suiting at Stella McCartney to louche-but-luxe co-ords at Hellessy. What makes it so appealing is its sheer versatility; it is currently being used for everyday wardrobe staples like vests and trousers and to elevate swimwear, so prepare to see a lot of it this summer. 

5. Melted Butter

Style Notes: Call it lemon, call it butter, but definitely don’t call it white. Creamy tones bordering on yellow are another key look from the spring/summer 2022 runways, and it's only ramping up the closer to summer we get. Less committal than the other shades on this list, it's the hue I imagine pared-back dressers will reach for in lieu of beige this season. My source? Jil Sander. 

6. No Shrinking Violet

Style Notes: The Y2K effect is in full swing, and one of the colour trends it has sparked is lilac—the shade that bears a striking resemblance to that of your teenage bedroom. After Pantone named it its Colour of the Year, it was only a matter of time before it started taking over. And now, that time has come. Roland Mouret and L’Agence took the romantic approach with violet drapes in satin fabrications, but a blazer is perhaps the easiest way to integrate it into your ensembles. 

Next Up, Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About