You might have a different opinion, but we believe these 7 color trends are "outdated" for Spring 2026.
With the arrival of spring, the days of wearing my black, grey, and burgundy outfits are behind me, and it's time to consider a fresh colour palette for my summer wardrobe that will ensure my looks are polished and luxurious. Honestly, I find it more challenging to dress elegantly in the spring and summer compared to autumn and winter. Thus, I reached out to my fellow editors at Who What Wear to learn about the colours they’ve invested in for spring 2026, hoping to gain some inspiration for my own closet. After several conversations in the office, one recurring theme emerged: certain colours are simply not resonating at this moment. In a time when colour is crucial for transitioning our outfits from basic to elevated, some hues now feel dated to both my colleagues and me. Specifically for spring 2026, we are keen on replacing trendy, difficult-to-style shades with more intentional, refined colours that feel fresh, are easy to style, and will endure in our wardrobes for years to come. To provide you with some inspiration, I’ve compiled a list of seven colours we’re moving away from this spring, along with seven alternatives we’ll be embracing.
**7 Colours Our Editors Feel Are Outdated for Spring 2026 (and the 7 We'll Be Wearing Instead)**
1. **Pausing: Tan, Wearing: Chocolate Brown**
*"I’ve always relied on tan as the foundation for my warm-weather outfits, but it's beginning to feel repetitive and somewhat dull by itself. While tan will always be timeless and I won't part with it, for spring 2026, I'm planning to incorporate chocolate brown tones typically reserved for winter. This will enhance my tan basics while feeling fresh and unexpected for spring. It's elegant and sophisticated and just as easy to style as any neutral."* — Brittany Davy, junior writer.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **ME+EM Soft Sculpt Waistcoat**: Excited to swap blazers for waistcoats as the weather warms up.
- **Boden Chelsea Belted Linen Shorts**: Loving this entire outfit.
- **Malone Souliers May Brown Suede Clutch Bag**: Chocolate suede gets an enthusiastic yes from me.
- **Gucci Vittoria Thong Sandal**: High on my luxury wish list for spring.
- **COS Facade Straight-Leg Jeans**: COS offers some of the best jeans available.
2. **Pausing: Chartreuse, Wearing: Sage Green**
*"Chartreuse was a trend I never expected to see this year. It's certainly divisive, and while I appreciate its vibrancy and fun nature, it feels a bit too extreme for my spring outfits. Instead, I’ll be gravitating towards softer sage green tones that are more wearable and understated but still allow me to add some colour to my otherwise neutral ensembles."* — Natalie Munroe, news writer.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **COS Pleated High-Neck Maxi Dress**: This high-street dress looks much more expensive than it is.
- **KALLMEYER Aiden Pleated Grain De Poudre Straight-Leg Pants**: Ideal for both office and casual wear.
- **Alaïa Le Teckel Medium Suede Shoulder Bag**: The Le Teckel is now available in a stunning sage green suede.
- **M&S Faux Suede Basket Weave Collared Shirt**:
- **FLABELUS Uta Single-Strap Cotton Mary Jane Flats**: An easy way to add colour to an outfit.
3. **Pausing: Stark White, Wearing: Black**
*"Beyond a rare button-up or classic tee, I’ve never favored white in spring. Not only does it stain easily, but stark white feels too obvious for warmer months. Often, it can appear less refined without high-quality pieces. Therefore, I'll be opting for black this spring. It's versatile, polished, and always looks more expensive, no matter the budget."* — Ava Gilchrist, SEO writer.
**Shop the Trend:**
- Great for pairing with loafers, ballet flats, or kitten heels.
- **Whistles Asymmetric Buckle Sandal**: Sandal season is almost here!
- **H&M Linen-Blend Tailored Trousers**: A chic take on the classic linen trouser.
- **ZARA Zw Collection Embroidered Shirt**: This blouse is elevated with beautiful puff sleeves and delicate embroidery.
- **Anthropologie Calla Woven Shoulder Bag**: Leather woven bags are trending.
4. **Pausing: Navy, Wearing: Pale Blue**
*"I live in navy during winter as a softer yet equally elegant alternative to black. As spring approaches, I always seek lighter pastels to refresh my wardrobe. Pale blue
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You might have a different opinion, but we believe these 7 color trends are "outdated" for Spring 2026.
If your aim this spring is to avoid a dated look, click here to explore the seven color trends that we editors are considering, along with the seven alternatives we're opting for.