It’s been an unseasonably warm spring here in the PNW, and it’s been feeling like the dead of summer the last few days. Despite the fact that it’s not *technically* summer, the weather seems to think it is. So, before it warms up even more, here’s a 2016 Summer Color Chart to inspire your wardrobe, your decor, your art, or however else you incorporate color into your life!
Surprisingly, the colors I’m loving right now are a little on the muted side. Maybe it’s because it’s so bright outside, or because I got my fill of vibrant colors in spring. These colors have a distinctly vintage feel to them, like retro bathing suits and clam-bakes at the club.
If you look at these colors in columns, you’ll see that there’s a nice mix of neutrals (left column), brights (middle column), and earth-y tones (right column). But here’s a closer look at how all these colors came together…
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This first group of photos gave me a boho-beachy summer vibe. It’s almost as if the bright, floral patterns of spring and the rich earth tones of fall met somewhere in the middle. It reminds me of sunny days on the beach and splashing in the ocean.
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This next set of photos was my “city-chic” summer collection. Inspired by different street-style looks, this group of colors seems kind of “blah” but can actually be very fun with paired with bright summer whites and neutrals.
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These last photos definitely reminded me of a romantic Paris holiday – walks along the Seine, pink roses, fresh baked bread… A girl can dream, can’t she?! I also love how the neutral blue/gray and bright lipstick red look in a stripe. It’s summery and fresh.
In case you’re wondering, “Okay Haley, you put together these seasonal color charts, but what do you actually do with them?” Let me tell you. As a self-proclaimed #colornerd, these charts are my way of keeping track of color inspiration throughout the year and which color “trends” come and go. I used my Winter 2015/2016 Color Chart to create the color-branding for this website, and I used the 2016 Spring Color Chart in multiple designs, like my May Wallpapers & Folder Icons. It’s a fun way to document my own personal interpretation of color trends and what I’m loving in fashion & design right now.
If you’re a #colornerd like me, try making your own color chart for the season! I always draw inspiration from my seasonal Pinterest boards, like my Summer Inspiration board. Start by collecting images that remind you of the season and go from there!
Which colors are you loving for summer? Let me know in the comments! Bonus points for providing the hex code so we can #colornerd out together.
