I Tried the Color Clashing Trend That's Everywhere

Trends come and go so quickly these days it could give you whiplash. It seems everyone's been jumping at the opportunity to predict which will be the next big color to fill Millennial Pink's influential shoes. Whether it's neon shades or outrageous orange (I'm putting money on it), everyone is clamoring to nail down a slice of the color wheel.

Gen Z yellow, melodramatic purple, outrageous orange—all the whimsical colors vying to replace Millennial Pink right now are reminding us of shades we frequently saw in our crayon boxes. So regardless of which will win out eventually, I'll be over here test-driving all of them—and not one at a time, either.

When it comes to combining the most saturated colors, throw out the fashion rulebook you were playing by before. You might have been told before to lightly dip your toe into bolder shades by grounding the rest of your outfit in reliable neutrals. But this season's enticing and electrifying hues are best styled together.

Just ahead, I'm sharing how I'm tackling the color clashing trend along with a few more combinations I'm kind of losing it over (in a good way).

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The Combo: Lime Green + Lavender
(Image credit: @annaflorencelaplaca)

I tackled this trend with a decidedly neon approach. The result? Utter liberation. Everything in me pushed back on doubling up on loud colors, since I rarely stray outside my neutral color palette. I had to fight everything in me not to tone down my lavender skirt with a boring gray sweater, but once I stepped out for the day, I felt secretly rebellious for breaking all those old rules about wearing loud color.

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The Combo: Lilac + Marigold
(Image credit: @courtyard_la )

The two colors have been competing for months for the prized status of 2018's It color. But while it remains to be seen which will win out, play fair and wear them together.

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The Combo: Barbie Pink + Red
(Image credit: @chrissyford )

Nope, no Valentine's Day references here—just a fresh way to wear the Millennial Pink pieces we know you still own.

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The Combo: Lemon + Fuchsia
(Image credit: @sabinasocol )

Pro tip: Neon shades enhance the color of sun-kissed skin, so doubling up on them is highly encouraged in the summer.

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The Combo: Tangerine + Teal
(Image credit: @maria_bernad)

First of all, I used to think orange outfits were hideous. But this fresh color combination quickly changed my mind.

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The Combo: Mint Green + Fluorescent Pink
(Image credit: @emilisindlev )

I'm not saying that this green-and-pink 'fit reminds me of a watermelon. I'm also not saying that I don't love it.

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The Combo: Soft Blush + Burnt Orange
(Image credit: @marenschia)

If fully saturated neons and fluorescents aren't really your thing, I bet this subtler take on the color clashing trend will speak to you.

Hopefully, by now you're jumping at the chance to wear these summer colors. But if not, check out 15 all-white outfit ideas that I promise feel fresh.

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Senior Editor

Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.