Butter Yellow Is The Colour Of The Season And Here's How You Can Wear It

Who doesn’t love butter? Now picture that as an outfit.

Enter butter yellow – a minimalistic hue that is soft, creamy, and just the right amount of luxe. Originally a cult-favourite in womenswear – championed by the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Dakota Johnson – this soft, creamy shade is now trickling into menswear. The turning point? When Timothée Chalamet stepped out in a custom Givenchy monochrome butter yellow suit, designed by Sarah Burton, at the 97th Academy Awards. It was a masterclass in how to own a trend without letting it wear you. That single red-carpet look confirmed it: this colour isn’t just having a moment – it is set to dominate the summer.

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Designer Mayyur Girotra captures its essence perfectly: "Butter yellow is soft, luminous, and quietly confident. In India, we’ve always embraced yellow as a colour of celebration. From the turmeric in our rituals to the marigolds in our weddings, yellow has deep roots in our culture. In my work, I’ve always believed colour has no gender, only emotion. Having said that, on men, butter yellow feels tender, poetic, and strikingly modern for the summer."

The runways are spreading the love for butter yellow, with labels like Versace, Prada, Dior Homme, and Hermès offering diverse styles. Need some cues? Look no further than K-pop icons Felix and Jin from BTS, singer and rapper Machine Gun Kelly, and actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, each putting their spin on the colour.

Back home, Ishaan Khatter gave butter yellow a desi twist with a classic bandhagala, while Vedang Raina balanced it with a blue-and-yellow jumper combo. Athletes Hardik Pandya and Charles Leclerc showed off their personal styles with a crochet shirt and a sleek ski-suit, respectively.

Why Butter Yellow works – and how to wear it

Once a runway exclusive, butter yellow is now everywhere – from mainstream retailers to homegrown labels. “The colour is having its moment because it flatters nearly every skin tone”, says Anushka, Senior Apparel Designer at Freedom Tree. She explains, “It doesn’t shout like a primary colour – fresh but never flashy, it hits that perfect balance. For men, it works as a modern neutral, seamlessly adapting across woven and knit fabrics, even when paired with bold accents like burgundy, soft pastels, or classic staples such as grey and denim.”

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Butter yellow isn’t just for summer. “It’s a fantastic colour for winter, too,” adds Stuti Dhanuka, founder of sustainable label Terra Luna. “We’re featuring it prominently in our Autumn/Winter ’25 safari collection, using it to brighten earthy palette like olive and brown. It pairs well with grey and black as well. While it can be overpowering, its true strength lies in layering, especially in our earth, outdoors, and safari-inspired pieces.”

To truly master butter yellow, knowing how to style it is key. Here’s how to wear this versatile tone.

Go Monochrome

Take a cue from Chalamet’s style book and go head-to-toe in the same colour. The trick? Keep the silhouette clean and the fabric rich. Think structured blazers, tailored trousers, and minimal accessories or go for a co-ord set. Monochrome is bold, but in butter yellow, it feels surprisingly understated.

Mastering Layering

The colour works brilliantly as a layering piece. Throw a butter yellow jacket over a white tee and black jeans for a sharp, street style look. Alternatively, layer a pastel butter shirt under a darker suit for a subtle pop of colour. “It pairs instantly with natural colours, earth colours, saturated colours, and whites. Perfect for weekends, it injects fresh energy into the otherwise monochrome men’s wardrobe dominated by black, white, blue, and grey,” recommends Dhanuka.

Accessorise with Confidence

If you’re hesitant to go bold, start small with accessories. A butter yellow cap, scarf, or trainers can add just enough flair without overwhelming your look.

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Break the Tone

Not ready for a full-on butter blast? Balance it with neutral shades. A soft yellow knit with dark blue jeans or a pastel shirt with beige chinos keeps the look grounded while still making a statement. Let the yellow be the focal point and keep it balanced throughout.

A Spin On Indian Wear

Designer Ashdeen Lilaowala recommends butter yellow as a fantastic summer tone for Indian men. “It is fresh and easy to pair with contrasting warm shades. I prefer a more pastel and cheerful colours with whites and washed sky-blue denim. The colour is super versatile for Indian wear. A butter yellow kurta can easily be paired with an embroidered jacket or a traditional Jamawar shawl.”

The secret to nailing the butter yellow trend? Confidence. Whether you’re going all in or just dipping your toes, wear it with intention. Butter up, but make it fashion.