It was a riot of colour on the spring 2026 runways, with a Crayola box punctuating the catwalk shows of Versace, Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten; a welcome reprieve from quiet luxury and pared-back neutrals that have dominated for the past few seasons.
Among the shades were a strong showing for green in all guises, from zesty citrus hues to crisp apple and jewel-toned emerald, timely in advance of St Patrick’s Day this week.
Prada embraced off-shades of green, with a lime-meets-chartreuse, and offered inspiration for colour-blocking the green hue with purple. Also on the acid green trip were Balenciaga, Burberry and Simone Rocha, with chartreuse as a standout shade.
Often known for a more neutral colour palette, for spring the Irish designer showed shots of neon-tinted green in the form of pannier dresses and silky skirts.
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Emerald, a shade typically seen in occasionwear styles, shed its formal connotations on the spring catwalks. At Loewe, it was crafted into sleek leather jackets; at Dior, into cinched bar coats; and at Burberry, mini dresses were toughed up with biker boots. Lorna Weightman, a personal shopper and stylist, says texture is the key to letting emerald green work for everyday.
“Emerald Green is a classic colour, but to make it work for day we need to mix textures. Try satin trousers, as seen at Vince, paired with a soft knit for contrast. You can even add in a leather jacket to give the look some edge and differentiate it from occasion wear.”
Worn correctly, green on March 17th can do double duty – a patriotic nod, and also echo the spring catwalks. But how do you pull off a stylish and symbolic look with aplomb? And also ensure your colourful green pieces last beyond St Patrick’s Day?
“Shape is a huge factor in making the colour feel modern and contemporary,” says personal shopper and colour consultant Isabel Gleeson. “Pairing these colours with neutrals such as chocolate brown or a charcoal grey can also give these colours a modern edge.”
But with a broad spectrum of shades on offer, Gleeson advises people to find the one that harmonises. “Explore which green suits you best. There are so many greens to explore. Skip bright primary green, the one most associated with shamrocks. Also, if you keep your silhouette modern, this instantly removes the potential novelty element.”
Playing with colour combinations also offers a contemporary take. Gleeson’s favourite unexpected shade pairing is: “Definitely mint and beige, it looks so soft and effortless, ideal for everyday in spring. I also spotted some chartreuse and charcoal grey styled together online.”
Another reliable way of introducing colour to your wardrobe is through accessories. A fail-safe way of giving a nod with just a sprinkle of a saturated shade.
Weightman also points out that it’s a way to trial-run a colour to see if it works with the rest of your wardrobe. “I recommend to all my clients to try colours through accessories such as scarves. That way, you can combine with a variety of colours and pieces in your wardrobe to see what works before committing.”
