Sage green walked so kelly green could run. This bold color of choice is becoming summer 2022’s hottest trend. From the runways of Molly Goddard to celebrities sporting the hue on and off the red carpet, such as Kacey Musgraves at the Met Gala afterparty, kelly green is at the forefront of the latest fashion trends. Kelly green pieces are even going viral on TikTok, such as this iconic Zara dress.
From streetwear to corporate attire and beachwear to nights out, kelly green is here to stay as the “it” wardrobe color for summer. Here’s where the color came from, and how you can style the hue yourself this summer.
From holidays to runway shows, kelly green is nothing new in fashion.
Yes, this color seems familiar because it’s the universal color for the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. The day represents when Irish immigrants came to America to look for better job opportunities in the 19th century, according to Time, and many of them wore the famous kelly green to show pride for their country. This symbol of luck and pride has popularity beyond just March 17, however.
The lively hue first got its name as a fashion-forward trend when Daniel Lee displayed Bottega Veneta’s spring 2021 ready-to-wear collection on the runway. The collection was filled with pops of kelly green that captured the audience’s eyes and ultimately created a new color: “Bottega Green.” Nearly everyone was trying to recreate the show-stopping looks, from the handbags to the shoes. Influencers and social media users were trying their hardest to get their hands on the iconic Bottega green pieces, which led to dupes going viral on TikTok. As more fashion designers caught on to the allure of the kelly green, the hue quickly became a staple color for designer collections, especially in the summer.
Just like any trend, the kelly green trend was propelled by influencers and celebrities bringing the color to the mainstream. The color has proved its worth while being worn by royals, such as Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. The hue has also been worn by Hollywood celebrities that have started many fashion trends themselves, like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. Whether you want to recreate looks from the red carpet or add a pop to your wardrobe, kelly green is the color aesthetic for the summer and anybody can rock it.
Kelly green can be worn for all of your summer festivities.
Though it might seem bold, kelly green is easy to incorporate into any outfit. From sophisticated looks to adorable accessories, here are five ways to style kelly green this summer.
- Matching Sets
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Effortless, easy-to-wear pieces are a must in summer fashion, so matching sets are ideal. There are plenty of kelly green matching sets that can be dressed up for a night out on the town or dressed down to lounge around in. This Lulus knit set is perfect for dinner after a long day at the beach or a brunch with the girls. This Amazon casual blouse and pant set can be paired with sneakers to run errands in or can be thrown over a swimsuit for your summer pool parties or beach days. Amazon also has your back for all your summer hot girl walks with this simple, monochromatic workout set.
- Button Downs
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It’s the summer of linen and for kelly green, that means green linen button downs for every occasion. Button downs can easily be dressed up by pairing them with a lace bralette, pants, and heels, or dressed down with jean shorts and a tank. This kelly green Cotton On linen shirt is a closet staple for summer. It’s giving coastal grandmother aesthetic energy, but with a bold twist.
- shoes
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The shoes of the summer did not come to play for 2022. This summer we are wearing statement footwear, such as strappy sandals, platform heels, and mules. If you’re not ready to fully commit to the boldness that kelly green has to offer, then play around with adding pops of kelly green with trending summer shoes. These bright sandals from ASOS are casual yet fun. You can pair them with a sundress, jeans, or a bathing suit for the cutest summer look. Or, opt for this unique alternative to mule heels from DSW that is sure to spice up your summer fits.
- slip dresses
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Slip dresses are dainty, classy, and simple, while also being a lightweight piece to wear in the summer heat. Kelly green slip dresses combine the elegant underwear as outerwear clothing trend with the lively summer color to make a look that is chic and easy. This stunning green satin slip dress from Lulus is a must-have summer outfit for a date night with your partner or dinner on the water.
- handbag
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The Bottega purse singlehandedly set fire to the kelly green trend, so it only makes sense to experiment with different purses to get your go-to bag for the summer. Similar to shoes, playing around with handbags allows you to expand your horizons without committing to the color. This Kate Spade shoulder bag is a sophisticated purse that can be paired with any summer outfit to elevate the look. If you’re not ready to indulge in a designer kelly green purse, Amazon has affordable options that are just as cute, such as this dupe for the famous Bottega purse.
