Spring and summer 2026 are bringing a sharp departure from the pastel palettes that typically define warm-weather fashion. Primary colors — bold yellows, cobalt blues, and fire engine reds — dominated the runways of New York, Paris, London, and Milan, and they’re expected to shape accessory and jewelry trends for the season ahead.
Red was the standout color of the season, according to the report. The hue appeared at Alice & Olivia, Balenciaga, Chanel, Fendi, Givenchy, Issey Miyake, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Valentino, and many other houses. It was so dominant that an editor at Harper’s Bazaar advised that the best way to be on-trend is to add “a pop of bright fire-engine red to your outfit.”
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Primary colors push pastels aside
Bright yellow showed up in monochrome looks at Rabanne, Fendi, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, and Loewe. Blue hues dominated at Marc Jacobs, Victoria Beckham, Area, and more. Many designers paired primary colors together — cobalt blue and bright red shared the spotlight at Jil Sander, while yellow and blue paired perfectly at Celine.
The jewelry implications are direct. The report encourages customers to wear deep blue sapphires with their flashes of red, or rubies with their cobalt blues. Fancy yellow diamonds are also on the rise, complementing the bright sunny yellows seen in warm-weather collections.
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Sporty looks get an upscale treatment
Another runway trend for the warm seasons is a sporty, collegiate vibe. Schoolgirl short skirts are back, especially tennis skirts and mini pleats, seen at Dior, Alice + Olivia, and Rabanne. Short shorts and no pants appeared at Givenchy, Lacoste, and Max Mara. Bralettes thrived at Fendi, Jason Wu, and Prada.
Though the feel is casual, the aesthetic remains upscale. Jewelry helps finish the look — huggie hoops, on-the-lobe buttons, or short drop earrings pair well with lingerie-inspired bra tops. For striped polos and mini skirts, chunkier bangles set with diamonds and colored gemstones are recommended. Signet rings complete the look for collegiate sweaters and rugby stripes.
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Footwear follows the casual theme. Designers finished off these looks with sneakers, sandals, and even flip-flops. Clogs and colorful, ornamented sandals will prevail.
