Summer 2026's Hottest Color Trend Was Made For Older Women

One of the summer's hottest colors is likely to be a hit with older women. While this season might be best known for ultra-bright shades, like the lime green nail ideas we saw during "brat summer", this new trending hue is more subtle. Enter: purple. "It brings color in a more elegant and wearable way compared to the very bright neons we've seen in previous summers," stylist and founder of Rosa Cabin, Karen Rosa, exclusively tells Women. That makes it a great option for older women who want to play with color during the warmer months while still keeping their overall look polished. "For women over 50 especially, purple works beautifully because it naturally carries elegance and creativity while still feeling timeless," explains Rosa.

The best part? It comes in a wide range of shades, each one more elegant than the last. "Softer shades like lavender and lilac feel light, romantic and refined, while deeper tones like plum, violet or rich berry purple create a richer and more sophisticated effect," Rosa explains. Since purple has long been associated with royalty and glamour, it's the perfect shade for any woman looking to revel in a sense of stylish luxury in the warmer months. It's also a widely flattering color — since it's made from a blend of red and blue, purple comes in a spectrum of warm and cool shades, suiting just about everyone, no matter your skin tone.

If you're looking for a fun way to inject this trendy color into your wardrobe, there are plenty of options. To start, it's usually best to know your undertones. That way, you can select the appropriate cool or warm shade of purple and avoid making the color mistakes that are ruining your outfit and making you look older. Check out one of several stylish fashion blogs for women over 50 for some inspiration on how other older women are incorporating the regal color into their wardrobes.

The next step is combining your purple pieces with complementary colors to ground them in your personal style. "One of the easiest ways for women over 50 to incorporate purple into spring and summer styling is by combining it with lighter, fresher tones that still feel elegant," Karen Rosa tells Women, exclusively, suggesting ivory, butter yellow, blush tones, or sage green for a refined summer look. A lavender linen blouse with flowing ivory trousers or a lilac dress with delicate silver jewelry can feel fresh, feminine, and sophisticated without looking overly trendy. Or, if you're feeling particularly bold, purple is perfect for monochromatic looks that make for a winning outfit. "I also love mixing different purple tones together, for example, a deeper plum dress with softer lilac accessories, or the opposite," explains Rosa. "It creates dimension while still feeling elegant and very wearable."