Butter Yellow: The Must-Have Color of Spring/Summer 2025

June 11, 2025

Why Butter Yellow is the Star Color for Spring-Summer 2025?

Spring-Summer 2025 sees an unexpected shade emerge onto the fashion stage: butter yellow. More understated than a vibrant yellow, this soft pastel evokes the milky color of a pat of fresh butter. Initially deemed timid, it is now poised to conquer designers and the general public alike. An almost faded pastel hue, butter yellow isn't exactly what you'd expect from a summer color – yet, it's making its presence felt everywhere: on the runways, in shop windows, and on Instagram. A passing provocation or a sign of a true stylistic turning point? In this article, we decode the butter yellow trend and why it's so appealing in 2025. You'll also find tips on how to incorporate it into your daily wardrobe, without a misstep.

Defining the "Butter Yellow" Trend
Why is Butter Yellow Popular in 2025?
Butter Yellow: Echoes in Ethical Fashion and Responsible Materials
iné: The Trend Embodied by the Cream & Lemon Vibes Model
Material Spotlight: BioVeg and Sustainable Production at iné
Style Guide: How to Wear Pastel Yellow in the City

Defining the "Butter Yellow" Trend

A Soft, Retro Pastel Shade

Butter yellow is characterized by a very soft pastel tone, evoking the shade of a fresh pat of butter. Butter yellow sits halfway between a vanilla beige and a classic pastel yellow. More sunny and easy to match than a beige, but more discreet than a vibrant yellow, butter yellow adds a touch of soft elegance to any outfit. Its slightly retro charm recalls the softness of the 80s or the hues of antique fabrics, giving it a very trendy nostalgic dimension.

80s Yellow Dress. Credit: Vintage Dress Shop

Although some initially described it as a somewhat bland shade, this neutrality is, in fact, its strength: "in a world saturated with visual stimuli, this color becomes a refuge for those who want to breathe" (kodd-magazine.com). Neither quite white nor truly yellow, it floats in a zone of visual comfort that allows it to be smoothly integrated into any wardrobe. It is precisely this chic subtlety that makes butter yellow as versatile as it is appealing in 2025.

Reasons for its Popularity in 2025

Pantone, Runways, and General Enthusiasm

If butter yellow is having its moment in the spotlight in 2025, it's primarily because color and fashion professionals have embraced it. Pantone may have chosen a brown (Mocha Mousse) as its 2025 Color of the Year, but Spring-Summer palettes also highlight softened yellows. Butter yellow shone on the runways: it was seen in luxurious suede at Chloé, in feminine ensembles at Chanel, and in minimalist flowing dresses at Toteme.

Toteme, Long Dress. Credit: Toteme (Mytheresa.com)

Proof that even major fashion houses are betting on this pastel yellow for the warmer season. According to Vogue, this shade is perfect for those who shy away from bright colors, as it remains easy to wear while refreshing one's wardrobe. Notably, the magazine even suggests a bold twist spotted on the runways: pairing butter yellow with black for a strong contrast that adds character to this soft hue.

Vogue Magazine Cover (June 2025) featuring a model in Butter Yellow shorts

Cover of a Vogue magazine (June 2025). The model is wearing Butter Yellow shorts. Credit: Models

Beyond the runways, the phenomenon can be explained by a true cultural craze. After the candy-pink "Barbiecore" tsunami of 2023, it's time for a calmer palette. Butter Yellow – as it's called across the Atlantic – is among the identified trendy colors for 2025. KitchenAid, for example, chose butter yellow as its color of the year for its appliances, emphasizing its power to "create joy, comfort, and connection" in our homes. This return to cream tones is not insignificant: many consumers, seeking refuge from the digital frenzy, are drawn to soothing colors that evoke peace and well-being. In line with the "quiet quitting" or "slow life" trend, butter yellow brings a welcome dose of visual serenity. As a result, the shade permeates all levels of fashion, from haute couture collections to high street brands. Yellow returns to the forefront in a softened version: it establishes itself in 2025 as the star shade of spring, massively adopted by designers and consumers seeking novelty without extravagance.

KitchenAid Butter, 2025 color of the year

Butter, the color of the year 2025. Credit: KitchenAid

A casual urban look playing on neutral tones enhanced by iné butter yellow sneakers. From runways to street style, this pastel shade has made its way everywhere in Spring 2025. You only need to look at street style or social media to be convinced: butter yellow is everywhere this early season. This shade already flooded shop windows well before the warmer days, announcing its success. Gone are the loud neon hues, make way for a soft and subtle shade, fashion editorialists proclaim (kodd-magazine.com) – a sign that the wind is turning towards more restraint. Ultimately, the popularity of butter yellow in 2025 lies as much in its universality (it suits all styles and complexions) as in its originality (it brings a fresh touch that catches the eye without being jarring). It is the color of a paradigm shift: one of fashion that wants to marry visual comfort and desirability, as analyzed by Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute – "The colors for Spring/Summer 2025 combine comfort and glamour, mixing the practical with the desirable" (pantone.com). Butter yellow perfectly embodies this alliance by offering a calm elegance, perfectly in tune with the times.

Pantone | Transparent Yellow. Credit: Pantone

Butter Yellow: Echoes in Ethical Fashion and Responsible Materials

A Trend Aligned with Slow Fashion

Interestingly, the rise of butter yellow particularly resonates with the values of ethical fashion and slow fashion. After the excesses and garish colors of the post-pandemic era, we are seeing a return to more simplicity and timelessness in collections. The success of butter yellow is part of a broader movement towards softer, more soothing tones. This is the aesthetic of "quiet luxury": a discreet, almost invisible luxury, prioritizing quality and understated elegance over ostentation. These principles echo those of sustainable fashion, which advocates for timeless, well-made pieces rather than disposable trends. Butter yellow, with its retro chic connotation (evoking both the silk of 80s men's shirts and summer linen sets), fits perfectly into this quest for clothing that lasts and transcends seasons without going out of style. Many ethical designers have understood this well: offering neutral or pastel colors, easy to wear year after year, encourages more mindful consumption.

Good Vibes shirt, Natif in Butter Yellow

Good Vibes Shirt, Natif. Credit: Natif

Soft Color, Sustainable Materials

Visually, butter yellow also aligns with the aesthetic of responsible fashion. Its natural and soft side highlights the eco-friendly materials often used by committed brands. For example, on noble materials such as linen, silk, or organic cotton, it gains depth and immediately evokes quality. It is thus found in several ethical labels this season, often associated with durable textiles. More broadly, the rise of butter yellow accompanies the surge in vegan and eco-responsible alternatives in fashion. In 2024, the European sneaker market saw demand for animal-free sneakers explode, driven by consumers increasingly concerned about their environmental impact. Following this demand, innovations are multiplying: new bio-based materials make it possible to offer soft colors like pastel while respecting the planet. We can mention vegan leatherette made from plants (corn, grape, cactus, etc.) which offers perfect creamy shades for butter yellow, or non-toxic vegetable dyes that give these subtle tones. By its minimalist and natural aspect, butter yellow somehow symbolizes the convergence between fashion trends and ecological consciousness.

iné: The Trend Embodied by the Cream & Lemon Vibes Model

A Unisex Sneaker in a Key Color

The "Cream & Lemon" model from iné's Vibes collection, a vegan and unisex sneaker made in Europe, had already adopted the cream and butter yellow colorway upon its release in 2024 and perfectly aligns with the Spring-Summer 2025 trend. The young brand iné is one of those committed companies that are (unintentionally, after all!) riding the trend with timeless pieces. A phenomenon that is almost paradoxical but true.

Vegan and Unisex Cream & Lemon Sneakers, iné. Credit: iné

Launched in 2024 with the mission to reconcile urban style and ethics, iné offers vegan unisex sneakers with retro lines inspired by the 90s. Among its colorways, the Cream & Lemon model from the Vibes collection stands out with its mix of creamy white and soft yellow accent, directly embodying the season's trend. This minimalist and modern sneaker illustrates the idea that a responsible piece can also hit the mark in terms of trend. Its clean design – a classic silhouette enhanced with contemporary details – highlights the delicacy of butter yellow without overdoing it. It's a timeless piece subtly infused with trend, easy to pair with everyday outfits. As a sign that the gamble paid off, iné is attracting attention: the Cream & Lemon sneaker proves that a vegan and eco-responsible accessory can become a current must-have.

Vegan and Unisex Cream & Lemon Sneakers, iné. Credit: iné

iné's success is based on a strong conviction: you can have style while respecting your values. "Growing up with a seamstress mother and in a region like Brittany gave me a dual heritage: a commitment to the environment and a love for well-crafted work. This is what pushed me to create iné in 2024, a vegan sneaker brand. Our mission: to prove that you can have style without compromising on values." confides Audrey Delanoë, founder of iné. "I didn't choose the colors of my sneakers to be trendy at all costs. I combined colors that I liked first, without premeditating the buzz of this or that shade". This mantra is reflected in the Cream & Lemon model from the Vibes collection : ethical and trendy.

Material Spotlight: BioVeg and Sustainable Production at iné

BioVeg: An Innovative Alternative to Leather

Close-up on the iné sneaker in BioVeg: the corn-based vegan leatherette offers a supple and robust texture, here tinted in cream/butter yellow for a result that is both trendy and durable. To embody responsible fashion, iné didn't just choose the right color – the brand also bet on next-generation sustainable materials. Its Cream & Lemon model from the Vibes collection is made from BioVeg, an innovative material designed to replace traditional leather by drastically reducing environmental impact. Specifically, BioVeg is a blend of bio-based and recycled materials: it notably incorporates non-food corn fibers (grown without GMOs or pesticides) and plant-based or recycled waste. This results in a leather-like material that is robust, supple, and breathable, but 100% vegan and much more ecological. The corn used – usually agricultural waste – is valorized to create this biomaterial, avoiding competition with food while offering an alternative to petrochemical-based plastics (ine.fr). It's a true eco-responsible revolution for footwear: fewer CO₂ emissions, no animal products, and production that consumes less water and energy thanks to these innovative components (ine.fr). By adopting BioVeg, iné shows that it's possible to combine textile innovation and trendy style – including achieving this beautiful pastel butter yellow shade that adorns the Cream & Lemon model.

Style Guide: How to Wear Pastel Yellow in the City

Pairing Butter Yellow with the Right Colors

Vegan and Unisex Cream & Lemon Sneakers, iné. Credit: iné

Adopting butter yellow opens up a range of unexpected stylish combinations. The good news is that this shade acts as a new neutral in an outfit: it can therefore be easily paired with many palettes. It acts as a neutral base, much like a gray or a beige, offering a soft backdrop on which to build your look. For a foolproof effect, prioritize the following combinations:

With cream or off-white tones: in a monochrome total look, butter yellow creates an ultra-chic minimalist silhouette, Riviera style. Wide-leg pastel yellow pants with an ecru blouse, and you achieve luminous elegance with understated sophistication.
With camel, terracotta, or chocolate: these earthy tones create a warm contrast with butter yellow. For example, a camel jacket over a butter yellow top brings out the pastel's softness while adding structure. The overall look remains elegant and easy to wear.
With other pastels like lilac or sage green: other stars of Spring 2025, these pale tones harmonize perfectly with butter yellow for a soft and trendy look. A butter yellow skirt paired with a sage green sweater, and you're right on trend.
With light denim: what could be more casual than washed denim jeans to accompany this pastel yellow? The sky-blue denim + butter yellow sweatshirt or sneakers duo exudes a relaxed summer vibe. It's the perfect outfit for strolling through the city on vacation.
With black: this is the boldest, but also very modern combination. A hint of black (jacket, pants, or simple accessory) graphically contrasts with butter yellow and gives it an ultra-sharp artistic dimension. Just be sure to balance the proportions so as not to "drown out" the pastel's softness.

Smart Urban Look Ideas

Mood board of women's looks featuring Butter Yellow

Mood board of women's looks, iné. Credit: Pinterest

Everyday feminine outfit: raw mom jeans, a white top, and a cream jacket, elevated by a pair of iné butter yellow sneakers. Pastel yellow adds a touch of light while remaining easy to wear in the city. Beyond colors, butter yellow invites you to create urban looks that are both sharp and easy-to-live-with. For a feminine style, you could, for example, opt for a flowing butter yellow dress paired with nude sandals and a wicker bag – a romantic summer look perfect for strolling around the city. The more hesitant can start with small touches: a pastel yellow baguette bag to brighten up a white outfit, a butter yellow accent manicure, or, of course, a pair of butter yellow sneakers like iné's Cream & Lemon Vibes model to add a twist to a basic jeans-and-t-shirt outfit.

For the men's wardrobe, butter yellow lends itself very well to streetwear essentials. An oversized butter yellow sweatshirt over beige chino pants, white sneakers, and you have a relaxed and stylish outfit. You can also choose a pastel yellow t-shirt or bucket hat to add a pop to a utility look (cargo pants, workwear jacket). The important thing is to balance the amount: since butter yellow is discreet, you can opt for a slightly loose or original piece in this color without fearing a fashion faux pas. The video by fashion and lifestyle content creator @christianptty will help you master the codes of Butter Yellow!

How to Style Butter Yellow by Christianptty

How to Style BUTTER YELLOW? @christianptty. Credit: Pinterest

Finally, let's not forget that butter yellow is an inclusive color: everyone can wear it and have fun with styles. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't wash out fair skin; on the contrary, it enhances tanned or dark complexions by creating a soft and luminous contrast. Simply adjust the amount of yellow in the outfit based on what flatters you best. In a full look for the boldest, or in small touches to brighten a silhouette, butter yellow will find its place in your urban style. With this trend, we prove that you can display an original color while maintaining understated elegance – a mindset in tune with the current zeitgeist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the "butter yellow" color?
Butter yellow refers to a very soft pastel yellow shade, reminiscent of the creamy hue of fresh butter. Neither acidic nor flashy, this milky color sits between a light vanilla beige and a pale pastel yellow. In 2025, it establishes itself as a subtle alternative to bright yellow, bringing soft luminosity and a retro touch to outfits.

Why is butter yellow trending in Spring-Summer 2025?
Several factors explain its success. First, designers adopted it on the runways (Chloé, Chanel, Toteme...) in Spring 2025, captivated by its discreet elegance. Second, this color responds to a general desire for a return to calm in fashion: after the excesses of previous years, the public seeks soothing and versatile tones. Butter yellow perfectly embodies this "quiet luxury" trend. Finally, its unisex and easy-to-match nature has convinced everyone – it's a shade that flatters everyone and can be worn in a dress as much as in sneakers.

Does butter yellow suit all skin tones?
Yes, that's one of this color's strengths. Contrary to what one might think, pale yellow is not reserved for fair skin. On a tanned or dark complexion, butter yellow creates a very luminous soft contrast that catches the light without being overwhelming. On a fair complexion, it adds a touch of color without hardening facial features. In reality, it's quite a versatile shade: the important thing is to carefully adjust the amount of yellow in the outfit (as a main piece or in small touches) depending on what best enhances your skin tone.

How to incorporate butter yellow into an outfit?
The trick is to consider it a neutral color. You can therefore easily combine it with basic tones from your wardrobe. For example, butter yellow pants paired with an off-white top will create a chic summer look. For a bolder style, you can contrast it with brown pieces (camel jacket, chocolate shoes) that will warm up the outfit. Pastels like lilac or sage green also pair very well with butter yellow for a soft and trendy look. Finally, for a sharp fashion touch, don't hesitate to combine it with black in small touches – this graphic contrast was seen on the runways and adds character to the outfit. The important thing is to maintain overall coherence: butter yellow lends itself well to minimalist looks, clean cuts, and natural materials, which avoids any fashion faux pas.

Is butter yellow an ephemeral trend or a new classic?
Everything suggests that this color has the potential to become a lasting staple. Its success in 2025 is part of a fundamental shift towards sober and timeless tones. Like other pastels (powder pink, sage green) that have regularly returned to fashion, butter yellow could become a new neutral in collections. Its soft and retro side makes it quite timeless, especially when applied to quality pieces. And since it aligns well with the spirit of responsible fashion (durability, elegance without extravagance), we can bet that butter yellow will continue to brighten our wardrobes well beyond this season.

In conclusion: in 2025, butter yellow is not just another chromatic whim – it symbolizes an evolution in how we dress. This pastel shade brings the light of spring while reflecting a collective desire for simplicity and a return to basics. Adopting butter yellow means displaying a style that is both gentle yet conscious, far from ephemeral trends dictated by fast fashion. Whether through a pair of iné vegan sneakers or a thrifted garment, everyone can embrace this pastel yellow to brighten up their everyday outfits. And beyond the color itself, it's a whole mindset that we embrace: that of fashion that can be both trendy and responsible. So, ready to add a "fresh butter" touch to your wardrobe?