Color Trend Watch: What to Wear in Spring and Summer 2023

Have you ever wondered if the shade that you refer to as “lime green” is the same color that someone else is referring to when they say “lime green”? Pantone, the ubiquitous color-matching design company, has removed this type of guesswork from the perception-versus-reality debate. This same company is responsible for color trend forecasting and consulting in the fashion world, making it easy for designers and consumers alike to stay on top of constantly evolving trends in color.

Whether you’re looking to overhaul your entire wardrobe in these hot new colors or you want a fun, bold statement piece such as a bright magenta tote bag, we’re here to help you learn about the hottest color trends of 2023 and the best ways to wear them.

Grassy Greens: Love Bird Green and Classic Green

Described as “an exotic green with a lively character,” Love Bird Green is a beautiful chartreuse-type shade perfect for spring. This color is striking but not overwhelming, making it a wonderful choice for an entire outfit, such as a pantsuit or monochrome shift dress.

Classic Green is a luscious and deep green reminiscent of Kelly Green. This color is ideal for a statement piece, such as a jacket or a pair of classic pumps, paired with a lighter color, such as white or cream, or a cool tone, such as light blue.

Blue Hues: Blue Perrenial, Summer Song, and Skylight

These soft, neutral blues are an obvious choice for any summer wardrobe. Considered by experts to be a “universal color” (meaning that this color looks equally flattering on virtually everyone), blue is a great choice of color for any article of clothing or accessory and almost any occasion.

We love a grey-blue (such as this year’s Blue Perrenial) incorporated into an office wardrobe. Simultaneously classic and trendy, a blue work dress paired with a light-colored blazer and flats, heels, or Chelsea boots is a professional office look anyone can pull off well. These blues aren’t limited to the world of clothing, either. Blue hues have made a resurgence in the make-up world as well. From bright neon blues to soft and subtle grey blues, blue eyeshadow has made its resurgence.

Pretty in Pink: Peach Pink, Crystal Rose, and Vanilla Cream

Similar to a Dusty Rose, Crystal Rose is a slightly muted shade of deep pink that emanates feelings of romance and hyper-feminity. You can expect to see this color everywhere this year, especially in the form of flowy dresses, skirts with frills, and soft billowy blouses.

Peach Pink is a wonderfully warm pink tone that will make for a beautiful trendy new cocktail dress for spring. You can pair either of these pinks with off-white or cream-colored accents or accessorize and elevate your outfit with items such as a purse, scarf, or shoes in a lighter pink, such as the new Vanilla Cream tone, which you can also expect to see plenty of this season.

Pantone Color of The Year 2023: Viva Magenta

For 23 years, the fashion industry has been influenced by the official Pantone Color of The Year, and 2023 will prove no different. This year, you will see Viva Magenta, a vibrant and deep shade of red, everywhere from make-up to clothing to accessories and even home goods. Similar to a ripe raspberry, this shade incorporates warm and cool tones making it a fantastic color for anyone to incorporate into their wardrobe this year. If you want to experiment with bold colors like this without committing to a new bright red look, add a Viva Magenta-colored fashion scarf to your outfit.

Sunset Ombre

Keeping tabs on new color trends in fashion isn’t limited to the release of a palette of individual colors for designers to incorporate every year. Fashion color trends also include how these colors are worn and interplay with each other, from the runway to your favorite clothing store. This year, one of those trends is the Sunset Ombre.

As the name implies, Sunset Ombre refers to the gorgeous pattern style of various colors, usually from blue to yellow to orange to red, fading into each other like a sunset. This pattern can be worn on almost any clothing or accessory and has even recently become a hair color trend. We love it best, however, on everyone’s summertime wardrobe favorite: the maxi dress. Easily dressed up or down, making it perhaps the most wearable and versatile dress style of the season, a Sunset Ombre maxi dress can just as easily be worn to a casual lunch date as it can to a summertime wedding.