The spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026 are bold, fun and certainly not playing it safe. This upcoming season, expect to embrace feel-good, mood-boosting shades. Whilst the expected pastel hues associated with the spring months are still visible, designers have leaned into much more pigmented shades.
Luxury fashion label Tory Burch sent models down the catwalk in bright blue macs, while Christian Dior and Burberry championed striking emerald shades. Sunshine yellows, fire-engine reds and confident chartreuse tones also made their presence felt, signalling a move towards colour designed to lift the mood."Spring/summer 26 is shaping up to be a season of feel-good colour," explains personal stylist Lisa Talbot, highlighting how "uplifting brights, such as fresh greens, clear blues and vibrant purples" are being paired with "softer, romantic shades like blush pink, peach and buttery neutrals." It's optimistic fashion at its finest. We're noting these shades in all areas of fashion, from the trainer trends 2026 to the jewellery trends 2026.
Elsewhere, neutrals played a quieter but no less important role. With Pantone announcing 'Cloud Dancer White' as its Colour of the Year, there’s a growing appetite for softer shades that bring balance to a bolder palette. Taken together, these colours feel surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re refreshing a summer capsule wardrobe or simply wanting to get ahead by knowing the latest colour trends, this season’s palette is all about confidence, contrast and effortless style.
1. Sunshine Yellow
Embrace the sunshine yellow colour trend with this super-soft cardigan by Parisian brand Lou Lou De Saison. This investment piece is knitted from a soft merino wool and cashmere blend, featuring a relaxed, boxy fit that makes it ideal for styling with your favourite high-rise denim.
This button-front shirt comes in a delightful bright yellow colour. Perfect for pairing with blue denim or with neutral tailoring, this is the kind of wardrobe piece you'll reach for all year round. Try styling it with chocolate brown trousers, like these.
An easy way to integrate more pigmented tones into your outfits is through statement accessories. These vibrant trainers will add an eye-catching finishing touch to your attire, and the soft suede finish feels especially luxurious.
Sunshine yellow is set to be one of the brightest stars of spring/summer 2026. Tory Burch, Lanvin and Ferragamo all championed the shade on their runways, proving it's a trend with serious staying power. And while pale yellow had its moment last year, this season's iteration feels fresher and more energising.
"Yellows are going to continue to feature in SS26 but this time the soft butter yellows will make way for brighter lemon yellow giving a mood boosting dopamine hit," explains Wendy Dooley, personal colour analyst and stylist.
Alyson Taggart, UK offer and publications director at Damart, agrees. "Flattering and easy to wear, this shade makes you think of sunshine and warmth, making it perfect for updating your wardrobe for the new season ahead,” she says.
The beauty of sunshine yellow is its versatility – and if you've already mastered how to wear butter yellow, you'll find the brighter lemon iteration just as wearable.
"This is great in tactile finishes and fluid layering, paired with earthy tones such as tan and chocolate or with a fabulous orange shade which is set to be another trend next season, with everything from teracotta to a brighter citrusy shad," says Wendy.
If the brightness feels a bit much, use it instead as an accent, suggests Wendy: "Try using it as a belt or bag to add a bit of playfulness and fun." Or lean into the spring/summer shoe trends 2026, and try adding a vibrant pair of clogs or mules to your outfit.
2. Blush Pink
ME+EM's bestselling knitted tee has been remade with a new high neck and rolled edges. This soft pink knit is made from an ultra-soft cashmere for a cosy finish and it's short silhouette is designed to align with trouser waistbands.
This pink car coat is crafted with a wool blend for an cosy finish. Perfect for adding some vibrancy to neutral outfits, this statement making piece can be layered over knitwear, blouses or even tailoring.
This pastel pink cardigan is a bright addition to any capsule wardrobe. It's made from a brushed mohair and wool blend for a super soft finish. Layer this piece over simple t-shirts, blouses or even layer over dresses in the warmer months.
"Blush pink is such a feminine shade," says Wendy, and this spring it's everywhere. Alyson calls soft pinks a "go-to" for the season, showing up in everything from knits to feminine jackets. The key is knowing how to style it.
Wendy suggests two approaches: pair it with "softly contrasting ice cream shades such as soft blues, greens, lilacs and yellows" for something gentle, or go tonal with "brighter or deeper shades such as magenta or burgundy to create a timelessly elegant" look. particularly in floral prints.
The easiest styling trick? Denim. "Opt for a lighter denim shade to keep that light, summery feel, or a darker denim to create contrast," says Alyson.
While you normally have to ask yourself, 'what colour suits me?' when considering various fashion colour trends, the final good news about versatile pink is that it’s universally flattering. Lisa notes that "softer hues, blush pink, lavender, warm peach, give a gentle glow without feeling washed out," making it particularly beautiful on midlife skin tones.
3. Cerulean Blue
Add a pop of colour to your everyday attire with this bright blue bowler bag. Made from a sumptuous soft suede, this bag combines the latest colour trends with the spring/summer handbag trends 2026, which favour soft suedes and leather.
Cosy and vibrant, what's not to love? This knitted top is made from a soft mohair and wool blend, so you can rely on it to keep you warm. Wear layered over your favourite thermal t-shirt and add your best wide-leg jeans for a smart-casual outfit.
As we turn into the warmer season finding quality made linen staples is an essential move. These wide-leg linen blend trousers are a breathable and airy choice, and the colour feels playful and fun.
Cerulean blue made waves at Fendi, Jil Sander and Prada, and it's easy to understand why. The shade spans multiple tones, from turquoise to deeper blues, ensuring it's flattering on everyone.
"For me, cerulean blue is reminiscent of the beautiful ever-changing shades of the Aegean Sea," says Wendy. "This is a great colour for everyone, and it is fabulous worn in delicate fabrics such as satins and sheers which catch the light," she explains.
For turquoise tones, Wendy suggests pairing with earthy neutrals such as tans, browns and soft gold, while cooler blue shades work best with navy and soft blue/greys.
Another reason why we're excited about cerulean being one of the big spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026? It aligns perfectly with the launch of The Devil Wears Prada's second film, a coincidence, but a fashionable one nonetheless.
4. Fire Engine Red
Adding vivid reds into your current rotation is a quick and easy way to liven up your everyday attire. This finely woven crew-neck has the feel of a knit, to keep the chill out, but the silhouette of a t-shirt for easy everyday styling.
This knitted dress has plenty of styling potential. From wearing solo with heels for evenings out, to wearing underneath a sharp blazer for a spring office day. Alternatively, you could layer it over a t-shirt or shirt for a more relaxed feel.
If you're looking to embrace the spring/summer shoe trend 2026, ballet flats or Mary Janes are certainly still on the agenda. Lean into the unexpected red theory by styling these shoes with dark neutrals or spring pastels; the choice is yours.
Fire engine red is the ultimate confidence-boosting shade, and it stormed the catwalks at Chanel and Stella McCartney. It's bold, it's statement-making, and, according to Lisa, it doesn't have to feel intimidating.
"Bold colours don't have to feel scary, the trick is balance,” she says. “Pair a statement shade with simple silhouettes or grounding neutrals so the colour does the talking without overpowering you."
If you're nervous about diving in headfirst, Lisa suggests starting small.
"If you're testing the waters, start with one bold piece, a blouse, a blazer, even a handbag and keep everything else stripped back. It looks intentional, modern and incredibly chic."
Alyson predicts "red and pink will be the ultimate colour combination for adding pops of colour to your summer looks. Think floral prints and powdery pinks paired with bold reds.” Proof that fire engine red works just as beautifully softened with florals as it does on its own.
5. Feel-Good Greens
Add fresh green into your spring look with this beautiful smock top. Featuring a frilled ruffle and a smock detailing, this design feels extremely feminine. Tuck into high-rise denim jeans and finish off the look with your best white trainers.
Made from an ultra-soft merino wool, this green jumper is cut in a relaxed long line shape and features a sharp an open collar. Ideal for styling everyday, this piece will soon become your best friend in the transitional months.
Hobbs is home to some of the best wedding guest dresses, and this beautiful design is no exception. The green spring hue and light-catching satin make this dress a great occasionwear choice. Plus, the empire waist is a flattering silhouette.
Fresh greens are everywhere for this season and are a key part of the wider spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026, ranging from vibrant chartreuse to rich emerald tones.
"Jewel tones like emerald, sapphire and amethyst add instant radiance," Lisa explains, making it a smart choice for everything from workwear to the best wedding guest dresses.
We're already seeing some of the best British clothing brands, such as Hush and Boden, heavily featuring this soft shade as part of their new collections.
When it comes to styling, Wendy recommends pairing bright greens with contrast colours.
"Brighter and purer whites look striking with navy, charcoals, bright blues, cool reds and emerald greens," she advises. If solid blocks of colour feel intimidating, there's an easier entry point.
"Introducing prints such as florals or animal print can be an effortless way to introduce subtle colour without the need for bold blocks of a single shade," says Alyson.
6. Cloud Dancer White
Made from knit fabric, this boxy cardigan is the kind of wardrobe staple that you'll rely on all year round. The neutral soft white hue will pair well with almost any shades, from bright pastels to dark earthy hues.
If you're on the hunt for the best jumpsuits, this Mint Velvet pick is worth seeing. The soft corduroy material feels effortlessly chic, and the cream hue makes it a standout choice. Style with suede heeled boots, or for a laid-back feel, opt for your most comfortable trainers.
A bestselling style, this everyday shoulder bag is an elevated and practical choice. A stylish way to keep your belongings safe and sound, you'll reach for this bag daily. The scooped shape and gold hardware make it look far more high-end than it actually is.
Pantone's Colour of the Year announcement sparked plenty of debate. Cloud Dancer White might not be the most thrilling choice, but there's method behind it. Described as a "lofty white", it's meant to offer "space for creativity", according to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.
"This has been one of the biggest surprises of the Pantone colours yet and there's no doubt that it will continue to influence the neutral trend that we've seen dominating for a few seasons now," says Wendy.
She says that styling is key with this colour: "Warmer tones such as ivories and creams pair well with teals, chocolates and warm reds whereas brighter and purer whites look striking with navy, charcoals, bright blues, cool reds and emerald greens."
White never really goes out of style, especially in spring/summer, and all-white outfits were everywhere from Simone Rocha to Jil Sander. Wendy suggests looking for white outfits in fabrics such as satin or bouclé to give a "soft, elegant vibe."
For the simplest execution of this look, turn to white jeans outfits to seal the deal.
7. Summer Grey
There is something so luxe about this cinched waist jacket that makes it feel far more expensive than it actually is. Its sophisticated collarless design and shaping silhouette feel elegant and unique, and we love the fact that it has added stretch, too.
If you're looking for soft, pale greys, COS' latest collection is a great place to browse. This boiled wool jacket is the ultimate piece for the transitional season, thick enough to keep the chill out, but short enough to work on warmer days too.
Elevate your current tailoring collection with these darted wide-leg trousers. Try styling them with a blush pink knitted t-shirt or a fire engine red blouse. The great thing about soft grey tones is how versatile they are.
Grey is one colour that seems to come around each year, but normally in the cooler months. This season, however, the spring/summer catwalks were awash with this reserved shade. Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta and Coach were just some of the designers who incorporated grey into their summer looks, proving it's not just for autumn/winter anymore.
The reason? It works beautifully with several of the season's bolder shades – think sunshine yellow and blush pink – without competing for attention. It's brilliant for pastel outfits too. It's a sophisticated neutral that pairs effortlessly with multiple colour palettes.
Alyson notes that neutrals like "navy, white, cream, tan" are essential for styling pastels, and grey fits perfectly into this versatile lineup.
Whether you're going for full-on monochrome or using it to ground brighter pieces, grey is quietly becoming summer's most useful shade.
FAQ's
What are the key spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026?
The spring/summer fashion colour trends 2026 are all about mood-boosting brights meeting softer romance. Sunshine yellow, fire engine red and fresh greens bring energy, while blush pink and cerulean blue offer something gentler. Pantone's Cloud Dancer White provides a sophisticated neutral base, and grey proves it's not just for winter. Whether you love bold colour or prefer pastels, this season has you covered.
Why do new colours come through each season?
"Colour is one of the quickest ways fashion can shift our mood,” says Lisa. “Each season brings a new palette because it reflects what we're craving, whether that's energy, calm, escapism or confidence. Fresh colours stop our wardrobes feeling stagnant and give us an easy way to evolve our style without starting from scratch.”
Essentially, new colours keep things feeling fresh without requiring a full wardrobe overhaul. It means you can quickly inject a trending style, and opt for new colours while sticking to silhouettes you know you love.
How can I introduce colour if I normally stick to neutrals?
Start small to build confidence.
"If you usually shy away from colour and stick to your trusted neutrals, then start small with pieces like accessories,” advises Alyson.
“It's a wonderful way to introduce more colour into your wardrobe. A vibrant scarf or a bold handbag in a colour you love adds an instant pop to an otherwise all-neutral outfit, allowing you to experiment and discover your favourite shades without feeling overwhelmed.”
Will pastels be big again this spring/summer?
Yes, but with a twist. Pastels aren't just being paired with other pastels anymore. It's about creating unexpected, sophisticated combinations.
"People might stay away from darker colours in the warmer months, but pastels give an instant lift and work surprisingly well with shades like navy and burgundy,” says Alyson. “Working these different palettes will help elevate your look for a sophisticated feel.”
