Anyone who knows me will tell you that I live in neutrals, regardless of the time of year. Even now, in spring—a season synonymous with bolder, brighter colours—I rarely stray from the black, white and grey hues that remain within my comfort zone. As a minimalist, these pared-back tones are my go-to, but to be honest, they often feel too same-y and a bit boring, especially in the warmer months. So, for spring 2026, I’ve been on the hunt for some fresher colour combinations that look elevated and chic without feeling too out there.

And it’s clear from the spring/summer 2026 runways that the minimal, “quiet-luxury”-inspired hues that dominated last year are taking a backseat to brighter colours that will add interest to an outfit. However, if you’re a pared-back dresser like me, this doesn’t need to feel intimidating at all. From deep plums paired with rich onyx to mood-boosting buttery yellow worn with pretty powdery pinks, it’s clear that fashion people are taking the fun that comes from injecting brighter colour into their outfits and combining them with more muted hues that still feel wearable this season. And below, I’ve rounded up the seven elegant colour combinations that look cool for 2026, are easy to copy and remain well within my comfort zone.