Beyond the Pale: The Bold Colours Shaping Ireland’s Summer of 2026
After seasons of chocolate brown, burgundy and the ever-present butter yellow, the fashion world has turned up the saturation for 2026. This summer’s palette is zesty and defiant, with lime, tangerine and lemon yellow lighting up the catwalks, while turquoise and lavender have been given a punchier makeover. For a people who know a thing or two about finding joy in the grey, this shift feels like a quiet revolution.
Celebrity stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor traces the spark to Michael Rider’s arrival at Celine, but says Dario Vitale’s one-and-only collection for Versace truly confirmed the mood. “It revived the glorious sun-soaked palette of 1980s Miami,” she told Dáil na nDaoine. “Fashion never embraces colour in isolation. We’re in a moment similar to Christian Dior’s New Look after the Second World War. Wearing bold colour feels joyful, hopeful and defiant.”
Turquoise: The Blue of the Atlantic and Beyond
Turquoise has made a splash as the trending blue for the 2026 summer season. It has appeared on runways at Courrèges, Christopher Esber and Jacquemus, evoking a Euro summer that feels both aspirational and, for those of us who love the Wild Atlantic Way, deeply familiar. Sheridan-Taylor recommends pairing it with ecru for a safe start, or introducing a stronger contrast with cherry red, dark chocolate brown or a vivid Kelly green. “You can always offset it with a simple white skirt or dark-wash jeans to land in a more comfortable arena,” she says. If a turquoise dress feels intimidating, start small: her own turquoise mules go with everything from chocolate brown to black.
Chartreuse and Lime: The Marmite Shades
Chartreuse and lime are the Marmite colours of the season, appearing at Prada, Versace, Tibi and Erdem. “They’re definitely divisive,” says Sheridan-Taylor. Rather than committing to a lime-green dress, treat these shades as “punctuation marks, not the whole sentence.” A skinny scarf, a brightly coloured shoe or a long-sleeved top layered beneath something neutral can bring energy without overwhelming. The trick is finding the right version for your skin tone: photograph yourself in the colour before deciding.
Tangerine Orange: Reclaiming Summer
Orange has traditionally been an autumn colour, but this year it has been reclaimed for summer. From apricot to retina-searing tangerine, it has become increasingly visible, worn head-to-toe or used to jolt classic pieces into the present. Timothée Chalamet made it central to his press tour for Marty Supreme, matching with Kylie Jenner in custom Chrome Hearts at the film’s Los Angeles premiere. “Orange isn’t really one colour,” says Sheridan-Taylor, “it covers everything from mandarin to dusty terracotta, deep Seventies-inspired coral to burnt Moroccan rust.” She recommends combining it with brown, aubergine, white or black. “We’ve traditionally handed it over to the autumn, but I say we reclaim it for summer. Few colours are as glorious in the heat.”
Lemon Yellow: The Brighter Cousin
Butter yellow enjoyed an unusually long reign, but this season its less subtle counterpart has taken centre stage: the brighter, sharper lemon yellow. Sheridan-Taylor recommends starting with colour combinations that already feel familiar, like the purple and gold of the LA Lakers or a strong yellow against brown or blue. Her other technique is less scientific: throw clothes you’re struggling to style onto the floor and move them around until unexpected combinations emerge. “It’s like paint on a palette,” she says. “You begin to see how colours work together in ways you’d never have imagined.”
Lavender: A Creative Purple
Lavender may sound tame compared with chartreuse, but 2026’s take on purple is a long way from sugary pastel dressing. Deep plums and aubergines have lightened into luminous lilacs and mauves, while sheer fabrics and unexpected colour combinations keep the shade fresh. “Purple is a wonderfully creative colour,” says Sheridan-Taylor, who particularly likes blue-toned mauves paired with khaki, beige or warm brown. Those earthier shades can take some of the sweetness out of lavender, while black accessories have a similar effect. Or you can ignore restraint entirely: “A purple eyeshadow worn with a crisp white cotton summer dress can be just enough mischief for one look.”
FAQ: Your Colour Questions Answered
How do I wear bold colours without feeling overdone?
Start small with accessories like shoes, bags or scarves. Pair vivid shades with neutral staples like white skirts, dark-wash jeans or ecru tops to ground the look.
Which bold colour is easiest to start with?
Turquoise is the most forgiving, as it works with a wide range of neutrals and even contrasting shades like cherry red or chocolate brown.
Can I mix multiple bold colours together?
Yes, but treat them as punctuation marks. Sheridan-Taylor suggests clashing purple with cherry red or combining tangerine with turquoise for a confident statement.
This article was adapted from original reporting by RTE.ie. Photo: RTE.ie