It's Official: These 5 Unexpected Colour Trends Will Break Through in 2026

With a new season just over the horizon, I've got a serious taste for all of the fresh and exciting trends, ideas and styling hacks I've spotted on the runways. Right now, I'm obsessing over the kaleidoscopic colours that marched down the catwalks of Milan, Paris and my own stomping ground of London.

The spring/summer 2026 shows were a hotbed of inspiration, and brought with them a new wave of colour palettes, hues and finishes which will no doubt permeate our desires in a mere few months. Butter yellow, expensive aubergine and powder pink all hit the headlines in 2025, but for next year, I've noted a new cohort of colours that I just have to tell you about now, before they hit the mainstream.

I've been taking a deep dive into fashion's biggest players, including Alaïa, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Stella McCartney, to explore which tones they're favouring for S/S 26, so consider this your sneak peek at what the year has to bring in terms of colour. From head-turning tones like canary yellow, vibrant violet, candy pink and rich teal, to the palette-cleansing hue of "cloud-dancer" white, this scheme of spring shades will be sure to add a wealth-whispering appeal to your Monday-to-Friday looks, and your off-duty 'fits, too.

Scroll on to get the lowdown on the biggest colour trends that 2026 has to offer, plus a little bit of shopping inspiration to help you get ahead of the curve.

The Biggest Colour Trends for S/S 26

1. Rich Teal

Style Notes: Not blue and not green, this mysterious mix of both raced down some of the biggest runways this season, predominantly on coats, jackets and suiting. Rich teal permeated the collections of Alaïa, Saint Laurent, Acne Studios and Loewe; labels that pride themselves on the bold use of colour season after season. It's the sort of hue that just reads expensive. I see this tone working well in monochromatic looks, but it also complements black, chocolate brown and, if you're feeling extra peacock-y, pillar-box red.

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2. "Cloud-Dancer" White

Style Notes: Cloud Dancer has been named Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2026. This light and bright-white hue leans slightly into natural putty territory, and it's your sign to start 2026 as a clean break. For spring, this couldn't be more apt, as we all desire to go into the new season with a fresh perspective and a clear palette. Cloud Dancer is a chance to unshackle from the grey days of winter and enter the year ahead with an open mind and little visual distraction. Do you have a minimalist personal style? Look to Bottega, Pauline Dujancourt, Dior and Noon By Noor, who all embraced this pillowy-soft tone on the runways, across dresses, suits and accessories.

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3. Canary Yellow

Style Notes: Butter yellow had us all salivating over the summer. For spring 2026, enter its natural upgrade, which I'm calling canary yellow. This eye-catching tone is brilliant, full contrast and intense, and some of fashion's biggest labels gave it serious airtime on the runways. Bottega, McQueen, Loewe and Tove all dipped their toes in, with all other colours paling in comparison. If you're ready to let the canary sing, pair it with beige, Cloud Dancer or even citrusy orange for your spring/summer ensembles.

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4. Candy Pink

Style Notes: Powder pink reigned supreme in 2025, but for 2026, its not-too-distant cousin is entering the chat. Candy pink, a more strikingly sweet and drool-worthy shade, is what I took note of on the runways for spring. Fresh and undoubtedly pretty, it packs a stronger punch than its predecessor, popping down the catwalks of Stella McCartney, Patou, N°21 and Blumarine, on dresses, suits and shoes. It can be toughened up with charcoal grey, chrome and patent black. It's the chicest way to do pink.

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5. Vibrant Violet

Style Notes: I profiled the rise of expensive aubergine this year, and for the new season, this shade is getting a bit of a facelift. I'm seeing a much more rich-reading, vintage-feel, decadent hue push it from the top spot, and I'm calling it vibrant violet. A little bit '80s with a splash of royal, aristocratic flavour, it's a shade which feels both luxurious and fun. It dominated some of the most headline-grabbing shows, including Balenciaga, Burberry, Valentino and Chloé, and worked beautifully in head-to-toe looks or with the odd floral thrown in. To dial it back, it pairs exquisitely with sand, taupe and beige, but if you're adventurous, canary yellow complements it delightfully.

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