Hot Colors for Summer Fashion & How Best to Accessorize Them

Hot Colors for Summer Fashion & How Best to Accessorize Them

Summer is finally here and heating up our social calendars and our silhouettes. As we shed the jackets, wraps, sweaters, and scarves, fashion designers are offering us a bevy of cooling looks – from miniskirts and sheers to crop tops and lace, the summer season this year makes dressing to impress more fun.  Following the runway trends in New York, Paris, London, and Milan, here are the hot colors for summer fashion and some tips for how best to accessorize them. 

“I have always loved summer,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder and lead designer of PICCHIOTTI, “not for the Mediterranean heat so much but more for the sense of fun that gets infused into fashion. When keeping warm is not a priority, couture designers are free to experiment with silhouettes, shapes, fabrics, and lengths. And being a gemstone lover, I cannot help but love the plethora of colors that come out in spring/summer fashion. Many people think of turquoise and coral for summer style, and rightly so. But this year, there are more fun colors to experiment with. Ruby is my all-time favorite gemstone, so I was particularly pleased this year to see that the red trend is continuing and becoming a must in every woman’s wardrobe.”

Red – Crimson Vibes 

Clockwise from upper left – Balmain S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Ruby and Diamond bracelet, Proenza Schouler S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Ruby Dots earring,  Zimmerman S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Ruby Hoops, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable Ruby Three Stone cocktail ring 

Touted as 2024’s top color trend by Refinery29, red was abundant on runways for the Spring/Summer season. Seen in everything from gowns to suits to handbags and shoes, this crimson tide has a powerful vibe and is believed by some fashion savants to be linked to female empowerment.  “Cherry red” (Vogue) was seen at Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Rick Owens, Gucci, Chanel, Alberta Ferretti, Ferragamo, and more. Often in monochrome looks, the vibrant hue makes a statement and commands attention. It calls for the reddest of all gemstones, the ruby, as the perfect complement.  

For the red trousers (Michael Kors, Balmain, etc.) and blazers (Gucci, Sergio Hudson), consider a sleek pair of ruby hoop earrings or a streamlined ruby tennis bracelet like PICCHIOTTI’s Xpandable emerald cut ruby bracelet. Or you can warm it up with a yellow gold or rose gold setting of a similar look. For the floor length and flowy red ensembles, opt for a power statement at the wrist with Pigeon’s Blood rubies, the deepest and most prized color of all rubies. For the many vermillion short skirt looks that feel flouncy, youthful, and fun, put a bow on it with a ruby and diamond bow ring or select the perfect red cocktail ring. 

To highlight and accessorize the abundance of “blood red roses” (Marie Claire) seen at Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Rodarte, and more, consider an on-theme accessory like a literal rose from PICCHIOTTI’s Rose Garden collection.  White diamond roses in brooches, rings, necklaces, and earrings offer surprising sparkle and literal rose motifs that elevate the overall ensemble.

Shades of Blue

Various shades of blue are also trending this season. The bright cobalt blue that began appearing a few seasons back has now subtly shifted to lighter hues. “Sky blue” (Vogue) was seen in various shows, at Alaïa, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Balmain, JW Anderson, Ahluwalia, Philipp Plein, Zimmerman, Christian Cowan, Proenza Schouler and more. This naturally brings to mind a bevy of blue gemstones. Paraiba tourmaline is so crystal clear blue, it feels like looking into a swimming pool from the diving board. Perfect for summer! PICCHIOTTI’s pear Paraiba tourmaline and diamond pendant necklace is perfect for the cerulean blues this season that feature an open neckline like those at Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, and Zimmerman. The PICCHIOTTI green blue tourmaline and diamond ring is the perfect finishing touch for the light blue hues at the neck like the floral ruffles at Balmain and Christian Cowan. 

Turquoise has always felt particularly appropriate for summer, and this year, more so than ever given all the light blue tones that are trending. PICCHIOTTI’s Reversible Xpandable line offers turquoise and white reversible designs in earrings and bracelets and rings – perfect for summer whites, faded denim, or pastel blue dresses and miniskirts. Light colored stone jewelry also pairs well with these light blue hues, such as the PICCHIOTTI mother of pearl, diamond, and rose gold Xpandable bracelet. This feminine piece is a classic and can be worn with summer blues or whites or even floral prints like the rose patterns mentioned above. 

PICCHIOTTI’s Gem Ceramic collection now also offers some fun choices for lovers of light blue. The titanium infused ceramic used by PICCHIOTTI is durable for the finest of high jewelry and it comes in every possible color. The design team at PICCHIOTTI has used accents of sky turquoise blue in Art Deco inspired Xpandable bracelets in black and white, as well as in orb link necklaces and bracelets with sturdy and convenient magnetic clasps. For added versatility, the bracelet can be clasped to the necklace to create a longer length. 

Gold

As we mentioned in our recent blog post, yellow gold jewelry and accessories are tending in fashion and have been for a few seasons. It is no surprise that the sunny warmth also extends to fabrics. Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Blumarine, Alberta Ferretti, and more featured monochrome gold pantsuits, blazers, short and long dresses, as well as corsets. Part of the larger metallics trend from the spring/summer 2024 couture shows, gold was by far the favorite of the metallic fabrics. Gold also showed up in belts at Giorgio Armani and handbags at Michael Kors, and Ralph Lauren. 

These lovely gold fashions are beautifully accessorized with yellow gold jewelry.  Diamond hoops set in yellow gold offer a nice bit of sparkle to match the shimmering “liquid gold” (Vogue) fabrics. But sometimes, you might prefer to offset that shimmer with plain gold. PICCHIOTTI’s easy wear collection offers gold links with or without diamonds that use durable magnetic clasps for added versatility, and their Reversible Xpandable collection offers necklaces, earrings, and bracelets that give you the option of wearing them with diamonds showing or with plain gold. Such versatile pieces in a fine jewelry wardrobe will prove useful over a lifetime, as they are classic enough to be worn with a wide variety of styles and colors over the years. 

Lavender

Purple lovers will be excited this season by the abundance of lavender in summer fashions. Seen at Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Maison Margiela, Feben, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Priscavera, Blumarine, and Y/Project, the soft purple hues are feminine and graceful. They naturally work well with amethysts, the deeper shade of purple beautifully complimenting the soft lavender fabrics. PICCHIOTTI’s new Hexagon Amethyst Xpandable cocktail ring features a gorgeous center stone surrounded by diamonds, adding to its inviting allure. The PICCHIOTTI Essentially Color Amethyst pendant necklace is a statement piece for purple fans but also particularly relevant for some of this season’s “pastel lilac” (Vogue) fashions with open necklines.  

Some of PICCHIOTTI’s mother-of-pearl designs also work well with lavender ensembles. The PICCHIOTTI 8158 Xpandable bracelets in dark and light mother-of-pearl both will work well with this season’s pastel purples. The collar necklace, rings, and earrings are also right on trend as shorter necklaces are being featured highly on runways and red carpets. There is a mauve-ish hue in the mother of pearl that looks very pretty with lavender outfits but is also universal enough to wear with many other looks in the wardrobe. 

Some Tahitian pearls also offer eggplant-colored undertones and work beautifully with these soft purple styles. Aubergine Tahitian pearls have a natural purplish hue in their lustre. The PICCHIOTTI Tahitian pearl and diamond ring is a great example. The ring is set in 18K rose gold to draw attention to the natural pink-ish, purplish shades of the pearl. PICCHIOTTI’s collar necklace with South Sea, Golden, and Tahitian pearls is also a beautiful compliment to lavender outfits without being overly matchy-matchy.

Buttery Yellow

Last but not least, another prevalent color on this season’s runways was yellow. The soft buttery or sunshine hue was found at Zimmerman, Fendi, Del Core, Sandy Liang, and more, prompting fashion editors at Refinery29 to claim that “Butter yellow is the biggest color trend of the summer.”  

Many of the yellow looks were monotone in either long or short dresses, often with flowing fabrics that billow in the wind.  The brightness of these textiles puts a smile on the face and harkens the start of the summer season. Made to stand out from the crowd, these styles call for noteworthy accessories. Fancy yellow diamonds come to mind as the perfect choice. Stack some Xpandable rings with warming tones – fancy yellow diamond eternity bands or bands mixed with yellow and white diamonds. Or add some warmth to the classic tennis bracelet with a yellow diamond design set in 18K yellow gold. 

The fabulous thing about summer is that we can all have fun dressing without needing to cover up. Color is always a welcome delight, as are bright summer whites. As you prepare for that sensational summer travel or plan gatherings on patios, lawns, and country clubs, you’ll shine brighter in these hot colors of the season, especially with the addition of a little sparkle. And when you wear your summer whites, you can still be on trend with pops of color in red, blue, gold, lavender, or yellow accessories and/or jewelry. Have fun with it and be sure mix up your normal look a bit. Embrace the warmth and let your inner light shine! 

Feature image at top – Clockwise from upper right – PICCHIOTTI Colored Diamond Cocktail ring, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable bracelet with Fancy Yellow Diamonds and White Diamonds, Del Core S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics ), PICCHIOTTI 8158 Mother of Pearl collar necklace, PICCHIOTTI Xpandable 8158 Mother of Pearl bracelet, PICCHIOTTI Essentially Color Tourmaline and Diamond ring, Zimmerman S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), Chanel S/S 2024 (Spotlight Launchmetrics), PICCHIOTTI Ruby and Diamond Xpandable ring   

 

If you liked this, you might also like: 

Opaque Gems – Intensity of Color Creates Crisp, Fresh Style 

Warming Trend – The Resurgence of Yellow Gold in Fashion 

Jewelry with a Twist – PICCHIOTTI’s Xpandable Reversible Designs Creates Two Styles in One 

Designing with Precious Gemstones – How PICCHIOTTI Creates Luxury in Color