The allure of butter yellow – radiant, upbeat, cheerful – is unmistakable. Renowned figures in the fashion world are labeling it “the new neutral,” praising its adaptability and how well it pairs with various basics such as blue jeans and black attire. Much like spreading butter, this color effortlessly integrates itself into anyone’s wardrobe.
At the renowned London department store Selfridges, famous for its distinctive chrome yellow branding and packaging, the updated version can be found throughout the entire establishment.
“We’ve observed buttery yellows dominating the Spring-Summer 2025 runways, as showcased by designers like Alaïa, Totême, and 16Arlington through their range of delicate, light yellow tones featured in different designs and accompanying items,” explains Laurie Field, the Selfridges Buying Manager.
Of course, we’ve always been big fans of the color yellow, yet this cheerful hue often gets passed over. Consider trying Lemaire’s fortune croissant bag, Khaite’s vibrant cashmere sweater, and Posse’s lightweight linen ensemble.
Shade is currently popular across every level, from haute couture down to high-street fashion.
Uniqlo
, where British born
Clare Waight Keller
The recently appointed creative director has introduced soft ribbed jersey polo tops, bra tops, and packable UV-protection zip jackets.
Having done her time at designer brands and houses Givenchy, Chloe and Gucci, Waight Keller is bringing her prowess to one of the most powerful movers in high street retail.
“It’s an entirely new frontier for me, diving deeply into technological and material advancements, along with managing colors, silhouettes, and styles,” she elaborates.
Premium butter
However, butter yellow has also permeated the exclusive world of haute couture. Born in Australia, designer Tamara Ralph highlighted this shade as central to her January collection showcased in Paris. The color aligns perfectly with the sun-loving Antipodes-inspired aesthetic of the designer, renowned for her ethereal and extravagant dresses favored by celebrities including
Bella Hadid
and
Priyanka Chopra
.
“From what I see, the appropriate color has the power to entirely revamp an appearance along with its general ambiance,” states Ralph, who designed a stunning, flowing off-the-shoulder taffeta dress and a crystal-studded mermaid gown adorned with ostrich feather pompoms in that shade.
Baby yellow—what I call butter yellow—is not only joyful and cheerful but also remains sophisticated and inherently feminine. It offers a subtle luxury compared to brighter shades of yellow.
Cora Sheibani, a fine jewellery designer known for her artistic and unique individual creations, is among those embracing butter yellow as well.
I’m presently using many citrines, which my lapidary refers to as Palmeira citrine,” she explains. “This gemstone boasts a stunning deep color that complements various other stones beautifully and suits most individuals.
I’ve recently created an amazing piece featuring a large circular Sphalerite gemstone, reminiscent of the sun. It’s a mineral I haven’t worked with previously, yet I’m quite thrilled about it.
Not just yellow
However, where exactly does a trend for a color truly begin to gather steam? Think of a well-known scene from “The Devil Wears Prada” wherein Miranda Priestley
Meryl Streep
) lectures Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) about the rise of cerulean blue, and high fashion’s authority to declare what colours unwitting consumers will soon be wearing.
“It’s not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it is cerulean,” says Priestly, explaining how cerulean trickled down from the runway to wind up colouring Sachs’ bulky cable knit sweater.
Blue symbolises millions of dollars and numerous job opportunities. It’s somewhat amusing how you believe you’ve opted out of the fashion industry, yet here you are wearing a sweater chosen for you by everyone in this room from an assortment of ‘things’.
However, butter yellow isn’t gently flowing through the industry; instead, it’s bursting forth in a vibrant surge.
The precise tone was established more than three years prior when dye producers, trend predictors, and textile creators determined the color scheme for the 2025 season. These materials were showcased at trade exhibitions such as Premiere Vision in Paris, where designers selected the color palette and ordered the textiles that set the direction for the aesthetic and texture of a line-up.
If butter yellow or
BarbieCore
Pink (2024) or cerulean blue is gaining traction, leading to a business necessity to follow this trend. Fashion evolves solely through a collective change in perspective.
Early adopters help. Take
Timothée Chalamet
wearing his tailor-made butter-yellow outfit at the
Oscars
, which was crafted by Givenchy’s recently appointed creative director,
Sarah Burton
.He appeared vibrant and lighthearted juxtaposed with the traditionalists dressed in black ties.
His arrival signaled a fresh era for Givenchy and ignited a major fashion trend; following this, Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hailey Bieber have all sported butter yellow outfits, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Feeling tempted? A simple purchase could be the Chanel Le Vernis nail polish in Ovni.
Leaving beige behind
Generally speaking, I believe that an increasing number of designers and fashion houses are adopting the strategic use of color,” states Ralph. “This includes incorporating shades we wouldn’t typically anticipate. When it comes to yellow particularly, one frequently encounters variations like mustard, lemon, and sometimes leaning towards creams; however, buttery yellows provide a novel perspective.
On its own, this color commands attention and pairs wonderfully with a sharply tailored suit or individual pieces. Alternatively, it also works beautifully with flowing, loose-fitting dresses that have minimal or understated detailing, allowing the hue to really stand out.
This change in color palette serves as a method for the fashion sector to indicate “newness,” and it’s likely the adaptability of these shades that wields their genuine strength.
Butter yellow serves as a subtle method to incorporate color into your wardrobe; it’s becoming the latest neutral,” according to Field from Selfridges. “This shade is simple to pull off and looks good on every skin tone.
As soon as you start noticing it, you’ll see it all around you. Think of it as a type of common treasure.
