The Tamesis
A master of color, Pierpaolo Piccioli promises to deliver something special in his Balenciaga debut. He did not disappoint, with the Spring/Summer 26 collection breathing new life into old house styles, especially with his color palette, which included violet, scarlet and emerald (more on that later). In addition to jewel-like bright tones, there are also cream tones that add a luxurious touch to several outfits.
Interestingly, this inclusion somewhat preempts Pantone’s Color of the Year, which for 2026 is Cloud Dancer. Described as “a sublime white that symbolizes the calming influence in society that rediscovers the value of quiet reflection,” the color is designed to silence noise and perhaps serve as a solace in everyday life. But, of course, what may be a help to one person, making them feel calm, calm, and collected, may be just a bit boring to someone else, who may feel invisible or even sad in the presence of invisible wealth neutrality.
Key Color Trends for Spring 2026
Adidas Originals Gazelle Lo Pro sneakers
Jump to comments
Luckily, the Spring/Summer 26 collection doesn’t just cater to one school of thought, but instead offers multiple color theories to ponder. Prada’s show included typical “off” gradients, including but not limited to canary yellow, lime green and turquoise blue. Naturally, they’ve done some work to make certain outfits look a little more outlandish (obviously, and beautifully), like a flowing knee-length skirt with suspenders, or briefs that also feature a pair of pockets on each side.
Elsewhere, bold color blocking punctuates easy-to-wear shades of black, white and chocolate. I’m thinking of Alaïa, whose spring/summer 26 collection was quintessentially sculptural, with colors as striking as the clothes themselves, in fuchsias, mustards and teals.
It’s one thing to admire a color when it hits the runway. But while it’s easy to get seduced by a designer’s unique vision to reinvent your wardrobe with vibrant hues instead of basic navy or beige, start by thinking about what color feels like “you.” To help, we’ve broken down all the spring 2026 color trends—from fuchsia to lime—that you can add to your roster ahead of the new season. Get this right, and you’ll be known for your colorful personality when spring arrives.
Photos: Alaïa, Christopher John Rogers, Fendi, Dries Van Noten, Chloé
Purple red
Fuchsia made its mark on the catwalk at Alaïa, where a knitted skirt with asymmetrical pleats that zigzagged up the calf was the definition of “hot pink.” But it didn’t end there. Chloé’s puff-sleeved burgundy crop top was offset by a practical khaki skirt. Conner Ives, meanwhile, went almost head-to-toe in color, with an outfit that included a stand-collar tracksuit top, a fringed skirt and thong leggings, all in a pink that would have tickled Margot Robbie’s Barbie doll (before she found her Birkenstocks).
Photos: Courtesy of Prada, Valentino, Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, Ulla Johnson
lime
Prada always has its eye on what’s trending for the next six months, not least because it manages to make any color an interesting proposition (even its actual show was a glossy citrus orange). Despite the rich color palette, this particular dress (boat neck and pleated skirt) caught our attention because of its citrus hue (between lemon and chartreuse). Neither color has the reputation of being particularly easy to wear, but rest assured, by the time spring dawns, you may already be loving alternative greens.
Photos: Courtesy of Jil Sander, Loewe, Lanvin, Tove, Victoria Beckham
Klein blue
Jil Sander’s spring/summer ’26 collection was a lesson in “less is more,” focusing on Klein blue, a saturated primary hue that appeared on single-breasted coats, soft dresses and cropped sweaters. It’s eye-popping in some ways but grounded in others, and I guarantee you won’t regret introducing its rich color into your wardrobe, just temper it with opaque black tights or a white wool skirt.
Photos: Courtesy of Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Maria McManus, Proenza Schouler, Chloé
cloud dancer
We’ve already discussed the relevance of Pantone’s Cloud Dancer, which is creamy (and dreamy) enough to appeal to most people, even those who are generally mildly allergic to neutral colors. Under former creative director Demna, Balenciaga wasn’t a brand known for sophisticated or understated color, and Piccioli proved that, contrary to popular belief, vanilla is anything but boring. And he’s not the only one. Bottega Veneta showed a look that was very close to “Cloud Dancer” in both tone and silhouette, an oversized T-shirt with a long silk texture paired with a pleated satin skirt, which is stunning in the so-called CD.
Photos: Courtesy of Brandon Maxwell, Chanel, Ashlyn, Christian Dior, Celine
tomato
Tomato has been relatively silent when it comes to color trends, but for Spring/Summer 26, it’s seeing some changes. At Chanel, the texture was combined with tomato, giving the dress a chili-like surface that skimmed the hips (quite literally wiping the floor with the other tweed pencils on display, although they were delicious in their own right). Meanwhile, Stella McCartney introduced tomato red “leather” trousers in her recent pre-fall lookbook, a color with a matte finish that’s 100 percent eye-catching whether viewed from up close or from a distance. This spring, you can create a similar look with silk, corduroy or suede.
Photos: Courtesy of Loewe, Prada, Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Fforme
emerald
In one of the most exciting debuts at Paris Fashion Week, Loewe’s creative director duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez unveiled a stunning palette featuring searing primary colors. This green—or, more accurately, emerald—is particularly eye-catching, especially when presented on a spring leather jacket, styled perfectly without collars or seams. When it comes to making jewel tones look modern, this should be your first takeaway: Look for outfits that embody an effortless, carefree energy.
Photos: Courtesy of Prada, Tory Burch, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, Fendi
Citrus yellow
Primary colors are back in full force, and color blocking has once again become a styling statement. At Prada and Tory Burch, passionate brights are paired with black, while at Miu Miu it’s part of a larger color story featuring greens and oranges. Bottega offers a touch of vitamin C-influenced hue, offset by layers of silk for a thoughtful contrast.
Photos: Courtesy of Burberry, Chloé, Valentino, Jil Sander, Balenciaga
purple reign
Purple makes a bold return this season—from Valentino’s frothy dresses to Chloé’s slim pants. For the shy, it’s easy to incorporate color like Zoë Kravitz or Jennifer Lawrence, both of whom have recently adopted the hue in scarf form for a single, impactful pop of color.
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, Zimmermann, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Carven
pink
The soft pink is lighter than mauve, but far from pale, giving it a modern, feminine look. At Chanel, Matthieu Blazy turned to French heritage brand Charvet for a sophisticated shirting selection, while at Louis Vuitton we see it as a head-to-toe statement in a coordinating skirt suit. At Miu Miu, pink was both the backdrop for the show—literally the color of the show floor—and the signature hue of the collection. In terms of styling, cream emphasizes the romance of it all, while bolder shades from blue to red highlight its versatility.
