You may disagree, but we believe these 7 color trends are “out of date” in spring 2026

With spring finally upon us, gone are the days when I could live in my black, brown, and burgundy clothes, and it’s time for me to start thinking about the fresh capsule color palette that I’ll rely on to ensure that my warm weather clothes look put together and expensive. I have to be honest, I find it more difficult to dress elegantly in spring and summer than autumn and winter, so naturally, I decided to ask my fellow Who What Wear editors about the colors they’ve already invested in for spring 2026, in the hopes it’ll spark some inspiration for my own wardrobe.

And after much discussion in the office, I couldn’t help but notice that when talking to them the same thing kept coming up again and again: Some colors just aren’t working. In an age where colors are playing a huge role in taking our outfits from simple to elevated, there are certain colors that seem outdated to fellow editors and me. And especially for Spring 2026, we’re all about swapping out trendy, hard-to-style shades for intentional, elegant colors that look fresh, can be easily styled and will remain in our wardrobes for years to come.

To help give you some inspiration, below, I’ve collected the seven colors we’re holding off on for spring 2026, and of course, the seven we’ll be wearing instead.

7 Colors Our Editors Think Are Out of Date for Spring 2026 (And 7 Colors We’ll Wear In Their Place)

Style Notes: “I’ve always chosen tan as a base color for my warm weather outfits; however, the shade is starting to feel “same” and honestly, it’s a little boring in itself. Of course, the color is timeless, and I’ll never get rid of it, but for Spring 2026, I’ll be incorporating chocolate brown shades that we typically only see in the winter that will complement my tan basics, yet also feel fresh and unexpected for the spring season It’s elegant, sophisticated and, most importantly, as easy to style as any neutral.” — brittany davyJunior writer.

2. Stay: Chartreuse, Wear: Sage Green

Style Notes: “Chartreuse was the color trend I never expected to see this year. It’s definitely a divisive one, and although I appreciate the vibrancy and playfulness of the shade, it feels a little too odd for me to include in my spring outfit rotation. Instead, I’ll turn to softer shades of sage green that feel wearable and faded but still allow me to incorporate some color into my otherwise neutral outfits.” — natalie monroeNews writer.

3. Stay: Pure White, Wear: Black

Style Notes: “Other than the occasional button-up shirt or classic tee, I’ve never been one to choose white in the spring. Not only do clothes of this color stain easily, but I think wearing darker white in the warmer months is an obvious choice. Not to mention that it often looks a little cheap if you don’t invest in high-quality pieces. So instead, I’m opting for black this spring. It’s versatile, polished, and I think it’s very It’s more expensive-looking, no matter what your budget is.” — Ava Gilchrist, SEO Writer.

4. Stop: dark blue, wear: light blue

Style Notes: “I practically stay in navy all winter long, as a softer but no less pretty alternative to black. But as soon as spring comes, I’m always looking for light pastels to add to my wardrobe. Light blue will definitely brighten up my outfits, and can easily replace the navy I usually choose, it matches well with both neutrals and bold colors. Not only does this pretty color look extremely good when put together, but I’ll also be able to wear it over time as well. I will also invest in similar colored clothes and accessories this wedding-guest season.” — Imani-Nia Francis-TsolakisJunior Fashion Editor.

5. Stay: Burgundy, Wear: Cherry red

Style Notes: “I usually love deep, moody colors in the summer, and that usually includes colors like burgundy. However, this season, I’m all about those bright, mood-boosting colors that bring a fresh touch to my outfits. And cherry red is my shade of choice for spring 2026. It’s bold, eye-catching, and most importantly, it matches well with all neutrals.” — Remi FarrellFashion editor.

6. Stay: Bright Pink, Wear: Powder Pink

Style Notes: “While the bright, Barbie-esque pinks that dominated last spring were fun, I often found them difficult to style with my otherwise pared-back wardrobe. So for Spring 2026, I’m choosing what is by far the prettiest color in the pink family — powder blush shades. They feel big and understated, but are also surprisingly versatile, matching well with cream, black, and even chocolate brown. For me, this is my perfect look. “Adds volume and color to a minimal outfit without feeling overly dominant or overly bold.” — Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Acting Deputy Editor.