FASHION

10 Key Colour Trends That Will Define Fashion In 2020

Stay ahead of the curve

With Australian fashion week well and truly over, one thing is certain: the colours of 2020 consist of two distinctly opposing schools of thought.

As ensembles become as carefully considered for the online space as they are for the real world, this season designers did away with flat, obvious brights, replacing them with off-kilter, acidic tones. A preference for kitsch was obvious on the runways, with designers trading the pastel hues of yesteryear for starkly futuristic colour palettes consisting of neo-mint, purple and near-electric blues.

In contrast, enhanced neutrals—think the rusty oranges of Kata Tjuta, turmeric-yellow and the grey-green of sages—offered an alternative for those partial to a more low-key colour palette. These fresh-take neutrals were most often realised in head-to-toe renditions, with accompanying accessories worn in almost identical hues.

While last season fashion’s retreat from all things minimalist was seen throughout, black and white made a notable return to the runways—likely a result of eco-minded shoppers looking to invest in pieces inspired by slow fashion, in shades that rarely lose appeal.

Brands known for their minimalist leanings, like Christopher Esber, Bassike, Matteau and Anna Quan, all presented looks ranging from rust and military green, to aqua and fluorescent yellow (albeit, flanked by pieces in black and white, as per their brand signatures).

Here, the 10 key colour trends you’ll be seeing (and wearing) in 2020.

Digital Brights

Cerulean blue

The early noughties staple (famously dissected in The Devil Wears Prada) made a welcome comeback on the 2020 runways, after multiple seasons of paler blues.

fashion colour trends
Joseph Resort 2020
Cerulean blue at Camilla and Marc Resort 2020
Camilla and Marc Resort 2020
nes
Bondi Born Resort 2020
neo mint
mma Mulholland Resort 2020
Bassike Resort 2020
Bassike Resort 2020
Thurley Resort 2020

Purple wave 

After the proliferation of lilac in 2019, a deeper, brighter purple made an unexpected comeback to the fashion foray.

Alice Mccall Resort 2020
Alice Mccall Resort 2020
Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
Purple wave at Valentino Resort 2020
Valentino Resort 2020

Enhanced Neutral

Sage green

sage green
Aje Resort 2020
Aje Resort 2020
Tibi Resort 2020
Thurley Resort 2020
Thurley Resort 2020
Aje Resort 2020
Aje Resort 2020

Earth brown 

With head-to-toe beige reaching fever pitch in 2019, beige fatigue is imminent. Instead, opt for chocolate brown, mahogany and anything that tips the scale into richer territories.

khaite
Khaite Resort 2020
Anna Quan Resort 2020
Anna Quan Resort 2020
Max Mara Resort 2020
Max Mara Resort 2020
Lee Mathews Resort 2020
Lee Mathews Resort 2020
Christopher Esber Resort 2020
Christopher Esber Resort 2020

Turmeric yellow

The grown up, bougie-alternative to Gen-Z yellow, turmeric-hued pieces dominated the Australian and international runways this resort season. Play it safe with pastel accessories, or if you’re particularly bold, wear from head-to-toe.

Matteau Resort 2020
Matteau Resort 2020
t Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
t Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
Christopher Esber Resort 2020
Christopher Esber Resort 2020
Jil Sander Resort 2020
Jil Sander Resort 2020

Red earth

For those wanting to update their head-to-toe beige looks with a single piece, opt for something in rust. Like sage, its transeasonal quality, paired with it’s fresh presence on the trend scene, make it a safe option for investment pieces.

Bondi Born Resort 2020
Bondi Born Resort 2020
Simon Miller Resort 2020
Simon Miller Resort 2020
Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2020
Matteau Resort 2020
Matteau Resort 2020
Jil Sander Resort 2020
Jil Sander Resort 2020
Joseph Resort 2020
Joseph Resort 2020
Matteau Resort 2020
Matteau Resort 2020

Cool grey

Going back to basics, cool-toned greys, clean whites and inky blacks are back with a vengeance. With a renewed focus on sustainability and slow fashion, both designers and consumers are demanding a change of pace when it comes to fashion. This season, it’s more evident than ever.

Christopher Esber Resort 2020
Christopher Esber Resort 2020
Anna Quan Resort 2020
Anna Quan Resort 2020
Fendi Resort 2020
Fendi Resort 2020

Clean white

clean white
Christopher Esber Resort 2020
fashion
Michael Lo Sordo Resort 2020

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