NYFW FW26 Color trends: Yellow ochre_ moss green_ shades of brown and more

In the late 1990s_ fears surrounding Y2K were widespread_ and designers responded with somber palettes that mirrored the mood of technological unease. In many respects_ NYFW FW26_ revisited that same tension.

Color on the runways was predominately black_ closely recalling the pared-back minimalism seen at Calvin Klein_ Jil Sander and Prada between 1997 and 1999. With anticipation building around Ryan Murphy_s forthcoming series on John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy_ images of her streamlined Calvin Klein tailoring_ slip dresses and minimal evening gowns have resurfaced_evoking the spirit of those times.

Yet rather than reading as pure nostalgia_ this restrained_ minimal aesthetic feels strikingly relevant—less a throwback than a reflection of the current mood. Here are the major color trends seen on the NYFW FW26 runways.

Brown

Shades of chocolate_ caramel_ camel and soft brown were used for a series of soft and luxurious looking items_ such as sheepskin jackets_ suede skinny leg pants and soft leather pencil skirts.

Yellow Ochre

Colors that the customer might consider to be _off-kilter_ have grown in popularity in the past few seasons. That includes ochre_ a shade of warm_ brownish yellow. Designers used ochre for sweaters to team with tailored skirts and pants. At Libertine_ ochre-colored tulle was attached to a black car coat over a metallic gold ensemble.

Moss Green

Designers have been using a rather muted and earthy shade of moss green as a neutral for a few seasons. It_s versatile enough to work on a variety of fabrics. Frederick Anderson used it on lace to create a leaf effect. Kim Shui showed a moss green suit with burgundy accessories_ a recently familiar combination on the runway.

Pale Blue

Shades of blue from indigo to mid-toned sky blue worked together as a diversion from an otherwise darker palette. Jane Wade used a mid-toned layer for a plaid dress with paniers_ while Prabal Gurung added chiffon in a similar shade to the bottom of a navy-blue velvet gown.

Total Red

Once again harking back to the _90s_ From a drop-waisted satin dress at Tory Burch to a suit with skinny pants at Carolina Herrera_ designers showed head-to-toe red. With the mostly dark and neutral palettes on display_ saturated red cut through that mood_ acting as a disrupter.