Most Popular Shirt Colors for 2024-2025

Ever wonder why some shirt colors fly off the shelves while others gather dust? 

Fashion weaves a complex tapestry with threads of societal trends, color psychology, Hollywood influence, and more. This affects the trends of popular colors that appear in everything from clothing to furniture to graphic design. 

If you've been designing tees, hoodies, and other shirts and are ready to start your own merch store like the ones you can launch on Fourthwall, you're going to have a lot of shirt color options to choose from!

But how do you decipher which popular colors are currently in fashion? We're here to help - we've dug through fashion blogs and magazines, runway reports, Hollywood trends, Reddit posts, and more to determine the 15 most popular shirt colors to sell in the 2024-2025 Fall-Winter season.

What Do You Mean by “Popular” Shirt Colors?

The popularity of shirt colors, whether T-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie, is a multifaceted concept influenced by a range of factors. Sales data, social media buzz, celebrity endorsements, and high fashion runways all contribute to a color's status as "popular."

Each fashion season reveals new color trend reports for clothing (and home decor, for that matter), and designers often make their own statement pieces incorporating those trending colors. So the number one factor is probably the fashion industry.

That said, there are other influences at play, too. 

Color psychology plays a significant role, as different colors can evoke different emotions and even influence purchasing decisions. 

From the jewel tones of the 1920s and '30s to the muted tones of the '40s, the Beat Generation black and whites of the '50s, the acid pop of the '60s, Earth tones of the '70s, eye-searing neon of the '80s, and the mixed media of more recent decades, fashion's trendy color palette is always shifting, often at top speed.

Shirt color trends have also evolved over time, reflecting these same color shifts; add to that the unique color preferences of different cultures, subcultures, and fashion moments, and it’s a lot to sort through. Let's dig in!

15 Popular Trending Shirt Colors for the 2024-2025 Season

1. Classic White

White is the timeless and versatile pick for every basic T-shirt, from the U.S. Navy tees of the early 1900s to actor James Dean's iconic T-shirt look to Gap ads.

Classic white complements any skin tone or style.

A white T-shirt is a wardrobe staple that appeals to a wide range of demographics and, of course, serves as the perfect blank canvas for any printed shirt image of any color.

Since there's probably already some version of a white shirt in all of your customers' closets, you really can't go wrong with offering a white tee option for your designs.

2. Back to Black

As black is the mirror opposite of white, you can probably guess what comes next - it's our second timeless choice for any shirt design.

Black is another classic color that ranges from deep, matte black to jet black with a hint of blue, and brings to mind everything from big city sophistication to trendy late night techno clubs.

Black shirts offer a slimming effect and unmatched style. 

They pair effortlessly with any other printed color and can be dressed up or down, so don't be surprised to see your black shirt designs paired with all kinds of outfits, from jeans and miniskirts to suit jackets.

3. Charcoal

A darker shade of gray, charcoal gray (sometimes called black heather) is sophisticated and versatile, and functions as a neutral almost as well as black does.

Ranging from light charcoal gray to a very dark burnished tone, charcoal gray offers a modern, edgy, contemporary look to your shirts.

Charcoal grays pair well with other neutrals for a monochromatic look, so you might create your printed designs in white, black, or lighter gray.

Charcoal gray shirts also make a great backdrop for brightly colored designs or photo prints, as the gray balances the brightness nicely.

4. Navy Blue

A close cousin to this fall's buzzy Pantone Baritone Blue is navy blue, a slightly deeper blue with red undertones.

This rich hue can take on several different color personalities, from a brighter, dusky version to a darker, almost black variation.

Navy blue offers versatility and sleek style, especially appealing to professionals, those seeking a polished look, and those looking for an alternative to a black tee, as navy blue often functions as yet another neutral.

White or red designs are striking on a dark navy blue T-shirt; green and aqua designs also work beautifully.

5. Cool Blue

Light, pale blues are most often associated with spring, summer, or resort fashion, but this year, they've emerged as a fresh surprise shade for fall/winter 2024.

This is an icy-cool version of light blue, which looks sleek and in-the-know as a T-shirt backdrop for either black designs, which really stand out, or white designs, which offer an edgy subtlety.

Pale blue is also a perfect background for shirt designs in other shades of blue, so consider rendering your designs in blue monochrome!

6. All the Reds

Whether it's Plumager's Volcanic Red or Scarlet Smile, as reported by Pantone, all the reds are very much in this Fall.

Scarlet Smile, like Taylor Swift's signature lipstick, veers right on the edge of dark pink, while Volcanic Red is a daringly saturated, bright version of the color.

Red is excellent for generating energy and excitement and makes a definite fashion statement for your shirts.

Red can be paired with black-and-white printed tee designs for a minimalistic vibe, looks sporty with blue designs, or serves as a bold backdrop for a Pucci-reminiscent print of oranges, yellows, and pinks.

7. Aventurine Green

Caught between green and turquoise, Aventurine Green is inspired by the crystal of the same name, which is said to provide confidence and grounding, and in its past color, life was called “Kelly Green.”

Aventurine Green, on its darker side, conjures up evocative images of RPG wizards and queens, while the paler versions evoke outfits suited for urban hiking trails and misty overlooks.

This shade of green is a well-suited shirt canvas for coordinating blue-green patterns or detailed black or white drawings that will stand out nicely against its background.

8. Fern Green

Direct from the natural world, this earthy shade of green offers a sophisticated, chilled-out look and appeals to those who appreciate a casual yet stylish aesthetic.

Fern Green can easily be paired with neutral color shirt designs like black and white or navy blue for a cohesive look or printed with dark patterns of oranges and purples for a more striking contrast.

Fern is also an unexpectedly morphing shade of green, and its look adapts easily to whatever you choose to print on it.

9. Yellow

A bright, cheerful color, yellow evokes happiness, optimism, and energy.

Ranging from pale pastel yellow to vibrant lemon yellow, it can lift moods and brighten any outfit, and it was a key color trend in 2023.

Its staying power is proven by the point that it's back again for Q4 2024.

Yellow isn't for wallflowers, though; it generally appeals to outgoing people who don't mind a little attention.

Pair yellow T-shirts with neutral-colored designs for a balanced look or with complementary colors like purple, green, or jet black for a striking contrast.

10. The Oranges

Fireside Neutral hues are what Plumager calls this year's oranges, and there is a range of them.

From classic burnt orange to Pantone’s Tomato Cream to Red Orange (which is...you guessed it, a slightly more red-toned orange.)

All of them evoke warmth, confidence, and coziness. 

Orange is an excellent choice for T-shirt designs that match its energy, especially designs in neutral colors, browns, or dark greens for that Autumnal contrast—just not black tees unless you're purposefully designing for Halloween.

11. Burnished Browns

A natural, earthy, and warm color, brown encompasses a wide range of shades from deep chocolate to Raw Umber to this season's Burnished Brown.

Like Fern Green, brown is also something of a chameleon color, as it can be casual or sophisticated, depending on what it's paired with and what kind of design you choose to print on it.

Brown shirts really look striking, and the white-printed designs give them a warm city look.

They also work well with multicolored muted pastel designs for that '70s vibe or even bright red/orange prints.

12. Khaki

Another word for khaki is "beige," but the latter is a little too boring for this season's lightly green-toned earthy shade.

According to Vogue, toned dressing is set to be a big deal this Fall/Winter, so if you're printing shirts with an eye toward sophistication, khaki might be one of your colors.

Khaki appeals to minimalists, outdoorsy hipsters, and fans of retro utility gear, like pocket jackets and cargo pants.

The color looks especially hip with minimalistic printed tee designs in all white, all black, blue, or our next color, plum.

13. Plum

It's in the purple family, but it's not just any purple, and it's several tones away from the purple that Twitch streamers know and love.

Plum, specifically Pantone's Italian Plum, is a mysterious reddish-purple that makes a bold statement whether light or dark.

It's also a surprisingly versatile color, as it visually adapts to almost any design and color you choose to print on it.

For instance, black and white look sharp, blues are very complementary, and reds create a striking contrast.

14. Lavender

A softer, pastel version of purple, lavender evokes tranquility and serenity and can range from a light lilac to a darker violet or mauve.

Light lavender is more of a calming color with a more feminine aesthetic and works well with pastel shirt designs, white designs, or even brown and white patterns.

Darker lavender shades are a little edgier and look great with contrasting colors like dark pink, navy blue, or gold for a bolder, more playful T-shirt look that offers an unusual color twist.

15. Think Pink 

Barbie Pink's popularity is starting to fade and is being replaced by softer, more muted hues of color.

There are still plenty of pink aficionados out there, though, and many shades of pink are available, from light blush tones to carnation to vibrant fuchsia.

Pink is most often associated with femininity and sweetness; doubling up and printing a hot pink design onto a pale pink shirt really shows off that pink power.

So, if you're creating T-shirt designs that lean toward feminine and sweet, pink shirts could work for you.

The 3 Most Unpopular Shirt Colors 

These are your three TBA - to be avoided! - colors, which consistently showed up through our research as currently not in demand... at all.

Generally considered unflattering, you might want to skip these as you're selecting the current color roster for your T-shirts because even with your designing magic, they're unlikely to become popular any time soon.

1. Puce

This muted, brownish-red to brownish-purple with a hint of green is often described as "muddy," as if it can't decide exactly which color it wants to be.

It even has an unappealing name to match its strangely bruised look—in French, its name literally means "flea color."

Poor, unfortunate puce is simply dull.

While it might have some very, very niche appeal for vintage fashion collectors (Marie Antoinette is said to have been a fan), puce is generally considered unflattering.

2. Mustard  

It's too far from the bright glow of sunflowers on one hand but too yellow to be an earth tone on the other.

Mustard Yellow is an outdated drudge of a shade that doesn't reflect well on most skin tones and hasn't been in fashion since ‘70s refrigerators when its other nickname was "Harvest Gold."

Although it lacks the vibrancy of brighter yellows, it can be found on some thrift store pieces if you want that bohemian look.

It's also the name of a popular character in the board game Clue---but that's about it. 

3. Avocado Green

Unlike the freshness of an actual avocado, the color avocado green as a fabric is a muted, smudged shade of green that generally appears lifeless and tired.

This color hasn't been seen around much since the shag carpeting of the early '80s.

Avocado green lacks the punch and interest of brighter greens, making it challenging to pair with other colors, so you're probably better off skipping this one, too.

Pop Those Popular Shirt Colors Into Your Fourthwall Shop!

Now that you've done all of your research into the popular colors, from classic white and black shirts to shades of blue, purple, green, brown, and red, it's time to start selling your shirts on Fourthwall!

Fourthwall can help you capitalize on color trends by letting you set up your own shop with a huge range of popular shirt colors to choose from for your T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and other custom merchandise.

You can even create merch collections on Fourthwall, so you can do special drops of your latest designs to hype up your customers and community. The platform lets you integrate your merch with TikTok Shop, Twitch Gifting, or YouTube Shopping, helping you generate even more revenue!

In addition to merch, Fourthwall offers your fans promo codes and memberships. They can also track your site through your mobile app and send thank-you videos for their purchases and support.

So go throw on a fresh T-shirt and launch your Fourthwall site today!