The Butter Yellow Trend Explained

Forbes

31-03-2025

From fashion to home decor—butter yellow is in full bloom this Spring.
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As the dark, bland palette of winter gives rise to pops of color and longer days, Spring design is in full bloom. A quarter into the year and it appears we're already resigned to let the Pantone color of the year—mocha mousse—melt away with the snow. In its place, another color named after a decadent food has taken center stage—butter yellow.
Timothée Chalamet at the 97th Oscars wearing a custom butter yellow Givenchy suit.
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The delicate pastel yellow is everywhere right now, but it's been quietly ascending over the past year. Timothée Chalamet made a statement dressed head-to-toe in the buttery shade on this year's Oscars red carpet, while Sabrina Carpenter was spotted in butter yellow at New York's Governor's Ball and Variety's Power of Young Hollywood party last year. Sophie Turner and FKA Twigs have both graced the cover of British Vogue in butter yellow, and numerous other celebrities have been spotted wearing the shade, including Rihanna, Aubrey Plaza and Hailey Bieber. More recently, the color has appeared on the runways of high fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace and Jil Sander.
Sabrina Carpenter wears a butter yellow dress during the 2024 Governors Ball Music Festival.
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Like melting butter, the shade's popularity is trickling down to mass fashion retailers, such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch, and into home design, with KitchenAid announcing butter yellow its 2025 'Color of the Year.' CB2 senior director of design and development, Andrea Erman says they've seen an uptick in sales of butter yellow textiles, such as their Seda silk curtains. Similarly, design studio Nivak Remas has seen a rise in butter yellow requests for a variety of settings. 'Whether through upholstery, accent décor, or painted finishes, butter yellow is being embraced as a way to add warmth without overwhelming a space,' says Nivak Remas co-founder Kevin Chan. 'We've also noticed its presence in spa and wellness environments, where it fosters relaxation and lightness.'
Versace RTW Spring 2025 collection.
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Its relaxing effect might explain why butter yellow is so popular at this particular moment. Personal stylist Dacy Gillespie admittedly doesn't love the color herself, but understands its appeal, 'It's a soft and soothing color, it's almost a baby color—like a nursery color—maybe that's what those of us in the United States are craving right now.' Nivek Remas co-founder Samer Shaath agrees, 'butter yellow embodies warmth, comfort, and nostalgia—qualities people are craving right now.' As we move away from the stark minimalism of the early aughts, the Shaath says butter yellow is a softer, more approachable take on yellow. Erman similarly highlights the shade's delicate duality, 'it brings a sense of optimism without being overwhelming, offering a unique balance of brightness and warmth. As people crave environments that feel uplifting yet comforting, butter yellow stands out as a perfect choice to help achieve that.'
'It subconsciously reminds us of sunlight, fresh blooms, and cozy kitchens—elements that make a space feel welcoming and serene," says Nivek Remas co-founder Samer Shaath.
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Yellow's association with warmth and optimism make it a natural choice for Spring, but the pastel version offers a more gentle approach for easing out of hibernation into a more lively season. 'Unlike bolder yellows that energize, this softer shade has a grounding effect, fostering a sense of calm and happiness,' explains Shaath. 'It subconsciously reminds us of sunlight, fresh blooms, and cozy kitchens—elements that make a space feel welcoming and serene.' As our brains associate butter yellow with positivity and light, the shade can evoke relaxation and creativity too, according to CB2's Erman. It makes sense then, that we would gravitate to the color in our closet, after months spent blanketed in dark winter coats.
"It brings a sense of optimism without being overwhelming," says Andrea Erman, CB2 director of design and development.
Anthropologie
The butter shade may appear a bold statement to some, but its surprisingly versatile both in fashion and design. 'Butter yellow is easy to style because it pairs well with both saturated colors and other lighter pastel colors,' says personal stylist Gillespie, who suggests wearing the shade with jeans. Erman agrees with the yellow-blue pairing, 'I find it works beautifully with blues and greens but for a stronger statement, pair it with bold rich red or deep neutrals to evoke some freshness.' The key to styling butter yellow, according to Chan is to be intentional about creating balance, given the color's flexibility. 'Butter yellow pairs beautifully with a variety of palettes—from soft neutrals and warm woods to deeper tones like navy or forest green.'
'For a subtle touch, start with textiles—throw pillows, drapes, or bedding in buttery tones,' suggests Kevin Chan, Nivek Remas co-founder.
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Incorporating butter yellow into the home depends on your comfortability with the color—you can start small or go big. 'For a subtle touch, start with textiles—throw pillows, drapes, or bedding in buttery tones,' suggests Chan. Erman suggests beginning with an accent, 'A beautiful, upholstered sofa or chair in the trending color could add lovely warmth to a living room while a linen pillow or artwork add a different layer of brightness.' If you're feeling more bold, Chan recommends painting cabinetry or an accent wall butter yellow to introduce warmth without overpowering your space. 'The color also shines in unexpected places, like a front door or a vintage-inspired tile backsplash,' the Nivek Remas co-founder says.
"My advice would be to look at each trend and evaluate it objectively while keeping your personal style in mind," says personal stylist Dacy Gillespie.
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Above all else, choose butter yellow only if it speaks to you. 'Everyone prefers different palettes and intensities of colors and you shouldn't wear a color just because it's on trend,' says Gillespie. 'My advice would be to look at each trend and evaluate it objectively while keeping your personal style in mind.' The personal stylist also recommends looking to buy second-hand when possible—Poshmark and eBay both offer a wide variety of styles in the shade. If you're looking to buy new or for inspiration, see some of our butter yellow picks below.
GUIZIO Emelie Cropped Cardigan
GUIZIO
Anthropologie The Latte Stoneware Cereal Bowls, Set of 4: Amelie Edition
Anthropologie
Montce Buttercream Rib Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt
Montce
Nata Butter Shaped Candle
Anthropologie
Significant Other Rayah Top
Significant Other
CB2 Silves Yellow Boucle Sphere Outdoor Throw Pillow
CB2
Maeve by Anthropologie Scalloped Cotton Curtain
Anthropologie