Oops—I've Been Completely Missing Out on This Major Color Trend

Of the trends that I encounter on a daily basis, I'd have to say that the ones having to do with color are some of my favorites. To me, it's just the easiest way to freshen your look for a new season, so I tend to embrace whatever color is currently trending. That said, I recently realized that I've been ignoring the color trend that's dominating right now when I read this piece from retail analytics company Edited. They used their data-gathering resources to explain the reason behind the recent rise of bright colors like orange, green, and yellow, and a lot of it has to do with Instagram.

Edited stated, "Color is millennial peacocking—it's the fastest way to stand out on an endlessly-updating feed. And when there’s no predominant apparel trend—no must-have pant shape or dress length—color is a unifying force in fashion." They also point out that brands are designing more and more pieces that will grab one's attention on an Instagram feed. And yet another interesting point they made is that these saturated colors are most common in swimwear, dresses, and accessories.

So why have I been subconsciously skipping this trend and filling my closet with neutrals and pastels? The only explanation I can come up with is that it reminds me of attending elementary in the late '80s and early '90s, which probably wasn't the chicest time in my life (shocking, right?). But I will say that Edited's data may have convinced me that it's finally time to let go of my Kindergarten hangups.

Read on to see how cool the saturated color trend looks on Instagram and shop similarly-colored pieces along the way.

Orange

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(Image credit: @freddieharrel)

Want to make your look even more eye-catching? Just add polka dots.

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(Image credit: @tylauren)

If there ever were a time to swap your black blazer for an orange one, it's now.

Cobalt Blue

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(Image credit: @shionat)

Follow the lead of the street style set and choose a suit in a bold color.

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(Image credit: @louisefollain)

All the cool girls on Instagram are mixing saturated colors.

Red

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(Image credit: @alessandragl)

This color is guaranteed to make future beach days "sizzle".

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(Image credit: @jessicaminkoff)

Add a few red pieces to your basics and the rest is outfit history.

Pinks and Berries

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(Image credit: @kristennoelcrawley)

Hot pink, purple, and other berry shades shine especially bright when paired with graphic black and white.

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(Image credit: @devonleecarlson)

Pretty berry-colored top > pretty white top.

Yellow

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(Image credit: @double3xposure)

According to Edited, sales for yellow pieces continue to rise. (Even a simple tank can make a huge impact when it's this bold.)

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(Image credit: @lindatol_)

This is how to wear yellow to the office.

Kelly Green

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

The color green is surprisingly flattering, and you'll receive no lack of compliments when wearing it.

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(Image credit: @handinfire)

You can't go wrong with a pretty green dress.

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Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.