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Butter yellow, butter yellow, butter yellow. I’ve heard those two words so many times in the last couple of months, they don’t even sound real anymore. There’s no doubt that this light, sweet shade of yellow has taken over as the color of the season, but like the road so many fashion trends seem to go down these days, the market quickly felt oversaturated with it. And I say this as someone wearing a butter yellow dress as I write this—so let me be clear, I’m not a hater. The color is beautiful, and I’m all for incorporating brighter hues into our wardrobes. But with the way fast fashion operates, trends like this one can quickly devolve into microtrends that feel tacky in a month’s time. So how can we keep butter yellow alive in a way that feels fresh, cool, and totally untacky?

There are two major aspects to it. First, let’s talk cool color combos. I love yellow paired up with another bright color. Especially as we’re heading into full summer, I’m all for pairing brights on brights. One of my favorite combinations is yellow with a beautiful, bold blue. Paired with such an eye-catching color, the yellow feels almost like a neutral. It opens up the outfit for fun accessories and more little pops of color. Yellow doesn’t have to be the statement of your outfit—styled correctly, it can be the foundation.

Speaking of making yellow the foundation of your look, sometimes the more unexpected the color combo, the better. Like pairing it with pops of red—without getting ketchup & mustard allegations. The way to make it work is by mixing in multiple colors, with red as the through line. I love a yellow piece paired with a red shoe, and a multi-colored handbag with bits of red. Throw on a bracelet or necklace with splashes of red, and the look feels cohesive without the colors looking overwhelming.

The opposite works for yellow as well. Instead of leaning into bold colors, go totally neutral. Yellow pairs beautifully with soft, light brown tones. I especially love utilizing multiple shades of brown—styled correctly, it creates an almost monochromatic look with yellow pieces. Leather or suede pieces all in slightly different hues of brown paired with a pop of butter yellow makes for a subtle and timeless look that feels like it exists outside of the micro-trendy moment that yellow is currently having.

The next layer to putting together an amazing butter yellow outfit is considering your personal style. What color palette do you normally lean towards? Are you more for neutrals and dark tones, or are you typically wearing lights and brights? What silhouettes and styles do you favor? Being deeply familiar with your personal style is key to incorporating trends into your outfits.

If you typically go for dark neutrals, that doesn’t mean yellow doesn’t have a place in your closet—it just means you have to be deliberate in your styling. Try on different styles, play with accessories, and figure out what feels aligned with what you like. I’m all for putting together outfits that are outside of your comfort zone, but there’s a difference between stepping outside your comfort zone and spending money on pieces that realistically, you’ll wear once and never touch again. The problem with micro-trends is the wastefulness of it all. So you have to figure out what really works for you. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time in dressing rooms, figuring out what you like, then consider a rental service like Nuuly or Rent the Runway. Adding a pop of yellow to your closet for the month is a great way to test how you really feel about it, and if it’s worth actually investing in as a permanent addition to your wardrobe.

Silhouettes are just as important when it comes to staying aligned with your personal style. Doing a complete 180 from what you’d normally wear, just because it’s “trendy,” is never productive. So when shopping butter yellow, reach for pieces that you know will incorporate well into your typical style. For me, I tend to go for more structured pieces, mini skirts & dresses, and fabrics like cotton and linen. I lean towards simplicity & structure, and love anything I can pair cute shoes and cool handbags with. There are only two permanent butter yellow additions that I’ve made to my closet: an ultra-simple cotton mini dress, and a high neck, low back satin top. The dress works with a heel and a beaded purse for an evening look, or a bright colored sneaker or sandal for the day. The satin top is the perfect length for low rise jeans or a low rise mini skirt. One of my favorite looks I’ve put together lately is the satin top with a black mini skirt and knee high boots, paired with a cow-print handbag. Simple, and still totally aligned with my typical style.

What makes trends so fun is that they can often lead to unlocking a new piece of your personal style. I’ve always leaned more towards dark colors—and I still do—but the first time I tried on a butter yellow sweater, I realized I might be more aligned with a spring color palette. Bringing in pops of those brighter colors has elevated my outfits, without totally changing my personal style. My outfits still feel like me, just evolved.