The key SS26 color trends you should know

Get your swatches out, folks!

It's time to start pulling together color palettes and statement shades for 2026, and we've got all the intel you'll need, all in one place. From Pantone colors to Paris catwalks, we've done the research and grouped the hottest SS26 color trends into four categories, complete with cultural, structural, and material context (aren’t we nice?!).

Here's everything you need to know…

1. Burn, baby, burn with fiery brights

Bold, confident colors are set to be super-hot for 2026, especially when paired with the exaggerated silhouettes and power suiting of the '80s throwback aesthetic. With that in mind, bright pillar-box red is a must. We spotted it on catwalks for Valentino (via long slinky fabrics and draping), Prada (knitwear paired with military shirting), and Alaïa (tassel-adorned hosiery).

Juicy orange is predicted to have a moment next year and was shown on catwalks for Miu Miu (statement knitwear) and Onitsuka Tiger (fitted shirt-style canvas jacket over neutrals). In the world of design, Pantone has selected Mandarin Orange (16-1459) as a shade to watch following London Fashion Week’s SS26 offerings, calling it a real ‘mood lifter.’

Lemon yellow will have a moment in early 2026, possibly as a progression from the butter yellow trend of summer 2025 (more on that later!). Maison Margiela, Lanvin, Prada, and Fendi used this zesty pop of color in trending garments for the season—we're talking aprons, feathered apparel, and bright accessories.

2. Playtime with soft naturals

Welcome to nostalgia town!

The vibe for early 2026 is elevated kawaii (Japanese for ‘cute’) that harkens back to the muted natural shades of the 2010s. It plays particularly well with the Rococo detailing and soft, amply layered garmentry we’re likely to see next year as fashion takes on the role of escapism through fantasy and nostalgia.

Powdery lilac was spotted in sheer fabrics and lush draping on runways for Versace, Moschino, and Emporio Armani, used to bring balance to brights or imbue dark trans-seasonal neutrals with a fresh twist. Pantone has also declared Burnished Lilac (15-1905) and Amethyst Orchid (17-3628) as Spring/Summer color trends, too, showing that this shade was made for creative play.

Next up, we have muted mint green, a versatile playmate for brights and a key player in trending green monochrome palettes. Pantone's Sage Green (15-0318) and Shale Green (16-6116) are tipped to be part of the trending 2026 color palette, especially as the fashion industry moves steadily towards more sustainable practices and branding. For in-store visual merchandising, pair this shade with a substrate like glass or resin to create an otherworldly, futuristic environment that customers can escape into.

Everyone, please welcome Millennial pink back into popular culture — it's been far too long, bb! Stella McCartney and Chloé made liberal use of this buff, ballet-pink pastel, contrasting its delicacy with strong shoulders and generously layered, draped skirts. Pantone trending colors for 2026 suggest Dusty Rose (17-1718) and Tickled Pink (14-1910) as ones to watch!

Pale eggshell blue—a calming blend of grey and light blue—is a color to watch next year. Its gentle interplay between light and shadow makes it an excellent color for transitional seasons. Pantone's Dutch Canal (14-4124) is slated to be a go-to for biodegradable designs and all kinds of finishes. Dior, Acne Studios, and Zimmermann all used a similar shade in their SS26 designs through lace, cotton chambray, and chiffon.

Summer’s butter-yellow color palette is sticking around a little longer — we spotted it on runways for Rabanne, Valentino, and Patou. Pantone has announced their Pale Banana (12-0824) as one to watch for 2026 — it's a go-to for branding and packaging, too.

3. Set the scene with trans-seasonal neutrals

The vibe here is neutral shades in organic hues that move seamlessly between seasons, giving the wearer (or designer!) a foundation for brights, or a palette to play in.

Mahogany tones were rife on runways in Paris, Milan, and London, explored through heavy, high-quality fabrics and voluminous designs, such as palazzo trousers, draped dresses, and relaxed-fit suiting. In the world of design, Pantone's Coffee Bean (19-0915) is a fab choice for bold or decadent designs.

The uniform dressing trend is being driven by muted khaki through billowing outerwear, slouchy knitwear, and harem trousers, as seen in designs for Balmain and Chloé in a variety of technical fabrics. Pantone color trends highlight Sycamore (19-5917) as the more saturated, rich counterpart of muted khaki. Channel effortless elegance by adding her to a palette of midnight blues, pale creams, or rich browns.

Dove grey and soft beige are the pale naturals of SS26. We saw them on catwalks for Celine and Coperni, realized in long swathes of light fabrics and cotton to mimic historic garments that delivered modern drama and movement. Pantone selected Angora (12-0605) and White Onyx (12-4300) as perfect partners for the stronger shades in the trans-seasonal neutrals palette.

4. Rebel with retro renegades

She’s deep, she’s impactful, she’s oxblood, and we think you’ll be seeing a lot more of her in statement pieces for 2026. This deep, rich, saturated brown/red came to life in buttery leather jackets in exaggerated, fitted silhouettes for Balenciaga and layers of sheer, ruffled chiffon for Givenchy, to name a few. Look to Pantone’s Chocolate Truffle (19-1526) for your design palette.

Not quite blue, not quite green, teal is one to watch next year. This shade packs a double punch, delivering on the transformative, sustainability-focused direction of the fashion industry while delivering a full-saturation hit of maximalist opulence. Pantone's Alexandrite (18-4835) gives all the glamour of teal while subtly nodding towards fashion's new eco-friendly direction.

Finally, no SS26 color palette would be complete without chartreuse, a luminous yellow green we haven’t seen on these streets in a hot minute! We caught this absinthe-hued beauty on catwalks for Maison Margiela and Lanvin in chiffon and thicker, more structured fabrics. Our opinion? Pantone’s muted chartreuse shade Acacia (13-0640) would make for some eye-catching marketing and branding designs, especially when paired with next year’s Art Nouveau and Lowercase Girl fonts (more on that in another SS26 blog post!).