If you haven’t started incorporating color into your wardrobe this summer, as one famous pop artist would say, “it’s about damn time.” Bright hues and patterns are coming in hot, but look, you don’t have to dive in headfirst to join the trend. I chatted with two fashion people who are on different ends of this spectrum: digital creator Courtnee Crews, a color aficionado who’s all about mixing and matching every shade of the rainbow, and Who What Wear Market Director Bobby Schuessler, who tends to favor black ‘fits but has recently been adding lighter hues into his rotation. They both gave me the low-down on how they’re tinting their wardrobes this summer, and while their styles might differ, both swore by one spot where they could stock up on colorful pieces: Free Assembly. The brand’s summer collection is affordable, on-trend, and just plain fun. Keep scrolling for six (yes, six!) outfit ideas from the two style experts that will inspire you to push your neutrals to the side. Just trust me.
“I think a lot of people are scared of color, but styling color is a lot easier than people think. Just have fun with it! Play around with options, see which colors you like and feel good in, and start from there! I always treat my favorite colors the same as neutrals. This particular outfit is perfect to throw on when I have plans after the beach and the sun is going down. I’ve added a fun pop of green with the sunglasses and a bright orange bag. Another easy way to add a little color to an outfit is with socks. I added a little light-pink sock because I loved the way the colors looked together. Honestly, I think this is one of my favorite color schemes!”
“I’ve really been liking how pink and red look together, so I love how this outfit came together. The camel really helped balance the look. I felt that it needed another color in the palette, and this green went perfectly with the bright red and pink. I adore this outfit. I think it’s the perfect outfit for a cute brunch when you need to run errands (like shopping) after.”
“I love how comfortable (but cute!) this outfit is. It’s super versatile and can be styled in so many ways. I can wear it to a pool day, the farmers’ market with sneakers, or a cute lunch with these platforms. Also, the price is so good. I love pink, green, and orange together, so it was a no-brainer. I wore colored lenses with black frames to add to the palette. I’m into adding a tiny bit of black to my colorful outfits when I have a lot going on.”
“While a button-down shirt works on its own buttoned all the way up, I like teaming it with a T-shirt and keeping it open for an elevated, low-key look. I think a tonal, more monochromatic silhouette is very on-trend, so I stuck to blue hues for this look. I’d wear these polished separates to a casual meeting or an event. Plus, the shirt, in particular, is super soft, and the cut makes it look very expensive.”
“While it may be out of my comfort zone, I went for it by mixing colors and patterns with this look. The button-down shirt in a saturated hue has a slight print to it and feels fresh with the classic striped tee. Rather than wearing standard blue jeans, I wore white jeans to bring an effortlessness to the vibe. I’ll be wearing this look to a fantastic brunch on a patio. Picture this shirt with a mimosa in hand. I really wanted to lean into the saturated color trend, and this marigold shirt accomplished just that. I can’t say enough about how fun and on-trend the shirt is. I just love it.”
“Cargo pockets are one of my favorite trends of the season, so I wanted to bring full attention to the cargo shorts by tucking in a breezy white tee for a streamlined look. This look just might become my new off-duty uniform. I think I’ll live in it all summer long. The navy hue is the standout here, and balancing it with the white tee allows the navy to pop. The shorts are the perfect length and have really cool accents, including the mesh pocket.”
