Bye-Bye, Butter Yellow, According to H&M’s Latest Lineup, Lemon Is 2026’s New Sunshine Shade
We’ve been waiting on a successor since the summer. Somewhere between the gingham and citrus-soaked glass, it seems we’ve finally found it
Butter yellow was, like most shooting stars, declared dead faster than it rose. ‘It’-girl color clairvoyant Hailey Bieber called it as early as July 2025. And now, H&M’s new collection is cutting the fat, serving up citrus, and resurrecting a yellow-drenched look inspired by a far more seasonally apropos indulgence: lemonade.
Indeed, lemon yellow is a classic color trend for a reason. It’s uncomplicatedly happy, a spirit the brand takes in stride, pairing the punchy hue with thick cabana stripes that muse country club umbrellas, alongside a comparatively quainter gingham that nods to countryside picnics. Riviera or rustic, this new range is all designed to drench the table from top to bottom, from gingham lemon yellow tablecloths and matching napkins to bow-tie napkin rings.
Satin stitching and woven cotton look beautiful on a table – that is, until someone actually uses the table. Thankfully, these sunny sunflower placemats are waterproof.
If patterns aren’t your beat, fear not. There are mostly white options that feel just as optimistic, namely sunflower-embroidered napkins and matching placemats, which offer just a whisper of our new favorite yellow. And speaking of whispers – or perhaps not – lemon-tinted glassware seals the story.
You may notice that this collection isn't strictly citrus; warm beige twisted taper candles and textured glass vases soften the palette, giving the shade range and making it clear this isn’t just another butter-yellow burnout waiting to happen.
When life gives you lemons…
These dapper little accessories are certainly the stars of the show – a fabulous foray into the color trend and an easy way to wake up the linens you already own.
At current market rates, your eggs deserve better housing. Liberate them from the carton and give them a little dignity in the form of a cheerful reactive glaze.
What pairs well with lemon yellow? Creams and whites are a given, but this collection makes a great case for the palest of neutrals. A barely-there taper candle set like this adds the nuance the palette's been craving.
While those sunflower-motif placemats peeking out beneath your plate stack are cheerful enough on their own, the real delight is that they’re moisture-repellent. No need to panic if you spill your Sancerre.
A chicified take on the picnic, this gingham tablecloth proves yellow can do wonders for waking up a homespun pattern. Go conceptual and layer in verdant green accents, such as taper holders or napkins, to echo the lemon’s leaves.
Dainty little treats deserve an equally dainty stage, and these yellow-tinted side plates fit the bill. They shine especially well layered over patterned table linens; once your dessert is finished, that wash of citrus peeking through feels like the final flourish.
Forget rose-colored glasses – this is lemon-tinted living. Mugs may typically be fall or winter fare, but rendered in glass, this barely-there style feels so right for the season.
There’s a fine line between sophisticated and stuffy, and in the warmer months especially, we’re sprinting away from the latter. Cabana stripes toe it beautifully. Folded atop a plate stack, they lend the table a sense of story – effortlessly elegant, but still playful.
This warm, textured glass was made for something golden. Sunflowers for cohesion, daffodils for delicacy, marigolds for punch – all equally at home here.
Trendsetters may have predicted yellow’s second act, but what about the return of a certain quintessentially 2016 hue? That’s right. Alongside lemon, don’t be surprised to see Millennial Pink back on rotation. Strawberry lemonade, anyone?
