When choosing what to wear in the summer months, many of us instinctively reach for neutrals – breezy whites, easy blacks and soft beiges. This is especially true given the continued influence of minimalist ’90s dressing, which often leaves little to no room for brightly pigmented hues. But with longer days and rising temperatures comes a natural urge to experiment. Whether you’re dressing for a summer wedding, heading off on a long-awaited holiday, or simply looking to inject some life into your office attire, an optimistic pop of colour becomes an effective way to shift the winter blues.
The spring/summer 2026 runways set the tone (quite literally) for a season of playful and expressive dressing. Designers leaned into unexpected colour pairings and standout shades, embracing everything from saturated brights to delicate pastels. As Natalie Hammond wrote in Vogue’s colour trends report, “the spring/summer 2026 collections didn’t just cater to one school of thought but, instead, offered up multiple colour theories for contemplation” – ranging from striking scarlet to bubblegum pink and soft powder blue and zesty lime green.
For the months ahead, consider sunset shades, oceanic blues, and uplifting, almost edible tones. From butter yellow to olive green and tomato red, these are the summer colour trends set to define the season and how to wear them.
Burnt orange
