The Trendiest Color To Base Your Summer 2024 Outfits Around

The past year has seen shades of orange, yellow, and green reemerge on the fashion scene, with summer 2023 being all about neoncore. However, as much as we loved the trend — it brought the funky allure of the 1980s back into our lives, after all — we're bidding it adieu and ushering in summer 2024 with softer shades that make a subtler but sweet fashion statement.

Summer 2024's hottest colors have been popping up on recent runways, and they include lighter shades of sky blue, lavender, pastel lilac, and periwinkle. Following the darker shades of the colder months, these shades bring a touch of playfulness to our summer outfits. Our favorite? Periwinkle, as it can be perfectly matched to almost any other color in your wardrobe. So, instead of ditching some of your favorite staples in place of the season's "it" color, simply add a few periwinkle items to your wardrobe to break up your neutrals.

For example, style dark jeans with a periwinkle shirt, accentuate summer dresses with dashing periwinkle high heels, and complete your ensemble with one of the hottest handbag trends of the year in one of the hottest colors of the season.

Hot, sunny days call for lightweight summer dresses. The beauty of this soft shade is that it can perfectly match any style of dress. From frilly ones to breezy and comfortable tent dresses — and from ones that embrace the coquettish allure to maxi flowy ones — periwinkle is the color to go for.

Take it from the iconic Carrie Bradshaw: "When one door closes, a shoe box opens." What better way to close the door to the cold season and put your best foot forward in summer than by opening a box of periwinkle high heels? This shade will beautifully match any outfit: Bright yellow summer dress and periwinkle platforms? Check! Hot pants with periwinkle sneakers? Double check! Frilly pink skirts with periwinkle ballerinas? Yes, please!

Compact co-ords are trendy in 2024 — and segueing us into summer. A classic blazer and miniskirt combo is perfect for warm days and chilly nights. Head out the door in the morning for work looking classy in your periwinkle skirt, and grab your matching blazer to wear when you meet your friends for happy hour drinks in the evening.

Fashion designer Kate Spade once said, "A handbag is only one item to be worn with a complete outfit. Add a peony pink leather handbag to a charcoal gray suit, for instance, and the impact is chic with a touch of wit." Indeed, a handbag can completely transform your outfit and add a wow factor to basic summer attire. But instead of a peony-pink bag, go for a periwinkle handbag this summer. Want to kick it up a notch? Opt for organic shapes, as they're a big handbag trend this year.

Summer is typically wedding season, so when your next invite arrives, make sure you embrace the season's hottest color by donning a periwinkle gown (unless periwinkle is the bridal party's color, of course). From floor-draping maxi dresses to figure-hugging ones, this shade of blue is a head-turner. Given that bow stacking is a unique way to elevate your ensemble, dare to add a bow or two to make your gown the talk of the party.

Looking for inspo to elevate your office look with the season's best shade? A periwinkle shirt will add a summerish feel to your navy work pants. For a more casual appeal, roll up your sleeves, or if your work environment allows it, pair it with dark-wash jeans, following the biggest denim trends of 2024.