‘Transformative Teal’ Named Color of the Year 2026
WGSN and Coloro see the appeal of teal.
On Wednesday, the trend forecasting firm and color system partner named Transformative Teal, a blue-green shade with cooling and regenerative qualities, the 2026 Color of the Year. The trans-seasonal color speaks to the diversity and awe-factor of nature and aligns with the “eco accountability” that will be increasingly demanded by consumers, said Urangoo Samba, WGSN’s head of color.
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Transformative Teal is classic, versatile and relatable for home. “You see it play well in retro narratives. You see it with walnut, brass and clay conveying a premium look to a space or product,” said Gemma Riberti, WGSN’s head of interiors. It also carries a nocturnal quality emphasized by lacquer, metallic and pearlescent finishes. She said pairing teal with yellow gives the hue a glow-in-the-dark effect and makes products feel lit within.
In fashion, the color evokes feelings of nostalgia, especially when it’s paired with neon-like hues.
Transformative Teal anchors WGSN and Coloro’s Spring/Summer 2026 forecast, which focuses on colors that bring a sense of calm and uplifting “micro moments of joy.”
Electric Fuchsia is one of those neon shades to watch. Described as a bolder evolution of the Barbie pink that has swept the market, the purple-tinted hue is gaining traction in the youth market. Mia Jacobs, WGSN’s youth strategist, said the color is aligned with “an indie, naughties club kid aesthetic” that has an edgy look when paired with washed blacks and grays.
It’s also an important color for beauty—be it hair color or cosmetics—and embodies a progressive attitude about girlhood, she said.
Blue Aura has a quieter effect. Samba said the blue-gray doubles as a fresh and crisp neutral and reinforces intelligent simplicity, or a way to prolong a product’s lifespan through minimalist sustainable design.
“I see Blue Aura as a color with long term potential to replace grays,” she said.
Light blue is also echoed in Fashion Snoops’ forecast for Spring/Summer 2026, and is described a relief from extreme heat.
Amber Haze’s dueling qualities make it a versatile addition to the color forecast. Described as “ancestral and contemporary, crafted and industrial, natural and artificial,” the golden hue speaks to the growing interest in primal and earthy colors, Samba said.
In fashion, Amber Haze delivers a retro feeling, especially with shades of brown and retro blues, Jacobs said.
Jelly Mint is less serious. The gender inclusive color is sweet, playful and synthetic, and its unique in that it evokes nostalgic feelings and nods to AI design.
“I love the idea of it being used some kind of shear and translucent materials to really emphasize that jelly like quality to it,” Jacobs said.
