5 Color Trends for 2026 I'm Already Borrowing from Louise Trotter's Debut at Bottega Veneta

      Caitlin Burke is a Who What Wear editor in residence, stylist, and creative director with experience collaborating with brands like Altuzarra, Brandon Maxwell, Rosie Assoulin, and Kallmeyer. She is also the author of The Style Out, a forthcoming Substack newsletter focused on fashion and style, drawing from nearly twenty years in the industry. Each runway season typically leaves me full of styling inspirations and an expanding wish list of designer items. However, after the spring/summer 2026 shows, one collection in particular captured my attention more than others. With 76 looks, Louise Trotter's debut for Bottega Veneta has significantly influenced how I want to dress, both for the end of 2025 and for the upcoming season when I'll finally be able to shop her S/S 26 creations. Below, I share some insights from the show, including the spring color trends I'm excited to wear and how I plan to combine them with items from my own wardrobe.

      **WHITE ON WHITE**

      Since Michael Rider’s debut at Celine, I've had a growing desire for a soft white shoe to match everything, and this Bottega collection intensified that craving. In fact, I purchased these Phoebe Philo flats right after the show. My other crucial desire that emerged was to incorporate more texture, particularly with white-on-white or monochrome textural layers. Craftsmanship has become a strong theme among luxury brands as maximalism makes its return (or, as Phoebe Philo puts it, “simple with impact”). It seems there is a collective weariness with quiet luxury and elevated essentials, yet many of us aren’t ready to fully embrace maximalism. Texture appears to be a natural progression, gradually enhancing our style choice—both in terms of sound and appearance. I love how Trotter combined summery poplins with feathers typically reserved for festive occasions, and how heavy, textured knits were beautifully contrasted with lightweight trousers. I picked up these Colleen Allen cotton pants to wear with chunky knits, and perhaps this Dries clutch. I also found this ruffled McQueen top to pair with simple ivory trousers.

      **MCQUEEN**

      Backless Ruffle Silk Gown

      **Colleen Allen**

      Cotton Drawstring Pant

      **AW25 WOMEN**

      Fringed Shoulder Bag

      **Phoebe Philo**

      Gathered Flat

      **NAVY EVERYTHING**

      I’m trying not to declare “navy is the new brown” (since brown will clearly remain, and actually pairs wonderfully with navy, as seen in several of Bottega Veneta's S/S 26 looks), but navy undeniably stole the show. Once again, the layering of navy on navy presented a strong case for how we should style ourselves next season. What prompted me to start an immediate shopping spree were the navy bags. I can’t recall ever contemplating a navy bag, but now it has become a must-have. This Liffner clutch and Loewe bag are currently at the top of my wish list.

      **Phoebe Philo**

      Button Collar Shirt

      **LOEWE**

      Flamenco Medium Appliquéd Leather Clutch

      **GRAY AS THE ULTIMATE NEUTRAL**

      While gray has made frequent appearances on the runway, Trotter's presentation—highlighting pops of yellow, beige, and camel—made it feel particularly fresh and appealing. The shade used is a cool-tone gray, which, when paired with warmer neutrals, creates a striking effect. I plan to recreate this look instantly with pieces I already own and am eyeing that same Dries clutch in gray or a Khaite bag to assist in achieving this style.

      **LOEWE**

      Pebble Embellished Leather Bucket Bag

      **PINK + MAUVE + BURGUNDY**

      The moment this mauve suit appeared on the runway, accented by that stunning pink pony-hair clutch I didn't know I needed, I literally gasped. The pale blue button-down beneath was the perfect finishing touch. I had already been searching for more burgundy this fall, but now mauve and pink have joined the mix, and I might even invite pale blue to appear as well.

      **Khaite**

      Simona Shoulder Bag in Eggplant Haircalf

      **Prada**

      Oxford Cotton Shirt

      **Dries Van Noten**

      Draped Viscose Satin Top

      **POPS OF GREEN AND YELLOW**

      In terms of color inspiration, Trotter’s incorporation of green and yellow throughout the show should be a lesson in color theory. She treated both hues as neutrals, and I aim to do the same. I will be pulling out my trusty butter-yellow Jil Sander sweater, typically reserved for spring, to pair with more neutral winter outfits. Additionally, I am already on the lookout for a bag in the perfect shade of green. These yellow