MFW SS26 color trends: A focus on mood-boosting palettes
Milan isn_t typically celebrated for bold use of color_ often leaning instead toward monochromes and earthy neutrals. This season_ however_ designers injected a fresh vibrancy into their collections with standout shades of red_ orange_ and chartreuse green. At times these appeared in striking head-to-toe looks_ while elsewhere they were shown with other_ often off-kilter colors. Soft shades of lilac and mint appeared frequently_ offering a gentle counterpoint to the brights. For more depth_ designers often turned to a warm_ reddish-brown_ which grounded the palette with a richer_ moodier feel.
Bright Red
Perhaps the most prevalent of the brights was a striking tone of bright red_ just as we saw in New York. Designers showed both head-to-toe looks as well as in mixes with other colors_ sometimes complementary and sometimes contrasting.
Ferrari SS26: designer_ Rocco Iannone
Look 37: a bright red square necked fitted cotton poplin sleeveless top with low-slung burgundy leather cropped pleated pants_ gathered at the waist_ a wide sash belt and burgundy leather sandals.
Fendi SS26
Look 35: a perforated bright red leather hooded jacket with white zippered trim and perforated leather shorts in taupe. Grey socks and shoes finished the look.
Prada SS26: designers_ Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons
Look 20: a bright red deep v neck sweater over an olive-green army shirt tucked into olive green shorts with a black lace suspender skirt and white pumps.
Flame Orange
Milan designers embraced bright orange more than their counterparts in New York or London_ showcasing it across a range of looks—from casual to refined—and pairing it with other shades to heighten vibrancy.
Alberta Ferretti SS26: designer_ Lorenzo Serafini
Look 7: a satin mini dress in ivory and orange with a round neck_ an A-line cape and train. Accessories included an ivory headscarf and tan suede moccasins.
No. 21 SS26: designer_ Alessandro Dell_Acqua
Look 4: an orange skirt with a wrap front and ruffles_ a grey knit short sleeved sweater over an ivory blouse with orange dots. Grey studded strappy loafers and black socks finished the look.
Onitsuka Tiger SS26: designer_ Andrea Pompilio
Look 17: an orange canvas jacket with a fitted waist and stud fasteners over a black and ivory striped sweater and a cream knee-length pleated wrap skirt with gold buttons. Accessories included a black satchel and sandals and grey socks.
Chartreuse Green
A bright_ high-energy green appeared on Milan_s runways_ confirming its status as a key color trend carried over from New York and London.
Anteprima SS6: designer_ Izumi Ogino
Look 23: a chartreuse chiffon tunic over a perforated long sleeved tunic of the same color and another one tied at the waist. Olive green sneakers and socks finished the look.
Lanvin SS6: designer_ Peter Copping
Look 33: a short waterproof jacket with long sleeves_ a funnel neck and a sash belt in chartreuse over short turquoise print shorts_ acqua socks and a brown leather bag.
MM6 Maison Margiela SS6
Look 45: a slit necked mini dress with cap sleeves in chartreuse with orange trims and seams over an oatmeal-colored long-sleeved top and black high heeled loafers.
Lilac
A soft shade of lilac counterbalanced the bright tones. However when designers used it in conjunction colors like black or brown it gave it an updated modern edge.
Emporio Armani SS26
Look 71: lilac-colored harem pants and a matching long vest with bugle bead trim over a black sequined bra_ black skinny belt_ eyewear_ bag and boots.
Moschino SS26: designer_ Adrian Appiolaza
Look 46: a short-sleeved sweater with Trompe l'oeil lilac and white cardigan with black buttons over black and white sweatpants and black Oxfords.
Versace SS26: designer_ Dario Vitale
Look 57: a lilac-colored chiffon dress with diagonal drapes under an oversized brown leather jacket and a lime green cardigan tied at the waist. Lime green and black lizard print pumps finished the look.
Mint Green
Cool_ calm and refreshing_ mint green was the second pastel color frequently served up on the Milan runways. Designers demonstrated its versatility_ pairing it with a range of other colors from emerald and tangerine to grey and sky blue.
Beccaria SS26
Look 12: a mint-colored chiffon dress with embroidered florets and ruffles with a tangerine pointelle cropped cardigan and mint mesh sandals.
KNWLS SS26: designers_ Charlotte Knowles & Alexandre Arsenault
Look 27: a stretch knit top with overlong sleeves with ombré cuffs_ dark denim shorts_ grey sheer knee-highs_ green sneakers and a brown hobo bag.
Genny SS26
Look 12: a mint-colored blouse with a neck tie and sculptural sleeves with emerald green sheer chiffon harem pants and emerald green mini basket bag.
Mahogany Brown
Taking share from black_ browns continue to grow in popularity. Milan designers offered up a specific shade of reddish brown for the spring season.
Antonio Marras SS26
Look 32: a broad-shouldered DB mahogany suit with floral print inserts_ floral print tie and striped shirt_ all in taupe.
Calcaterra SS26
Look 2: a mahogany silk sleeveless wrap top with matching relaxed pants_ a neck scarf with a lime and white print_ a shawl with heavy fringe_ an oversized green and ivory tassel earring and green lizard lace-ups.
Keqiao SS26
Look 2: a mahogany jumpsuit with sheer button-down overlay and voluminous pants with a peach-colored chiffon shawl and ivory slippers.
