Some of the key tones defining this season’s summer colour palette include: 

• Deep orange. Understated yet impactful, this warm shade offers a refined alternative to brighter summer colours. 

• Rich brown. Softer than black, deep browns are a core neutral in the COS summer colour palette. 

• Burgundy. This elevated tone brings warmth, richness and subtle colour to summer looks. 

• Butter yellow. A pale, muted colour that introduces warmth without overpowering.  

• Ecru. A foundational neutral that supports tonal dressing with lightness, while not as stark as white. 

• Soft black. This grounding neutral takes on a lighter feel through breathable fabrics and relaxed silhouettes. 

DEEP ORANGE

Deep orange adds unexpected contrast and depth to summer looks. Tonal styling is key to integrating this bolder shade into the summer wardrobe. Muted terracottas or burnt oranges create a considered, dimensional look – lending a softer approach when paired with warm neutrals such as cream or beige.  

Thanks to its versatile, earthy tone, deep orange works for a range of occasions, from refined evening dressing to every day, where it acts as a grounding element within lighter palettes and provides subtle impact.  

RICH BROWN

Rich brown has long been a defining neutral within the summer colour palette. Warmer than black, it’s an earthy tone that feels both contemporary and timeless. Where black can feel stark in summer, brown adds depth without intense contrast, integrating seamlessly into tonal outfits. 

Brown anchors any look with ease – from everyday dressing to workwear and evening looks. Opt for wide-leg trousers, lightweight shirts or fluid summer dresses in rich brown to establish a strong foundation for the warm-weather wardrobe. Pairing brown with earthy hues such as terracotta, beige or cream creates an elegant tonal look. 

Rich brown also bridges the gap between seasons, pairing effortlessly with both lighter and deeper tones in transitional outfits for the cooler months. 

BURGUNDY

Burgundy has a subtle richness that feels both elevated and neutral-adjacent. Although often overlooked during the warmer months, burgundy is a staple in the COS summer colour palette.  

Combining it with deep red, plum or soft pink creates a tonal effect, while neutrals such as cream or brown provide soft contrast. Burgundy brings a refined touch to summer dressing as an anchoring shade to lighter tones or worn head to toe as part of a co-ord set.  

BUTTER YELLOW

Butter yellow introduces soft warmth and freshness into the summer colour palette. Its appeal lies in its subtlety, acting as a highlight rather than a focal point.  

It embodies the modern COS summer colour palette, creating subtle contrast. This shade is particularly well-suited to casual warm-weather outfits and relaxed occasion dressing, offering a hint of colour. It can also be worn alone as an alternative to classic summer neutrals like cream or beige. Pair a butter-yellow dress with leather flats or sandals, a straw bag and statement sunglasses. 

NEUTRALS: THE FRAMEWORK OF SUMMER DRESSING

Neutrals remain the foundation of the COS summer colour palette, providing a timeless base that allows other tones to integrate seamlessly. Rather than acting as a backdrop, these tones shape the overall aesthetic and offer an elegant counterpoint to trending shades. 

ECRU 

A clean foundation for every outfit, ecru is less stark than optic white and offers warmth and depth, making it the perfect light neutral for tonal dressing.  

Combining pieces in different shades of cream from ivory to off-white adds dimension. A cream midi skirt layered with a classic ivory tank top embodies relaxed summer dressing. This shade also lends itself to summer tailoring, such as blazers and waistcoats. 

SUMMER BLACK

Black remains an essential part of any wardrobe, transcending seasons and occasions. It is one of the foundational summer colours for 2026 – the key to styling it for the season lies in the fabric and silhouette. 

Lighter materials like linen, cotton and silk, crafted in relaxed cuts, soften classic black, making it more suitable for warmer temperatures. Pairing black with other seasonal shades such as cream, rich brown or butter yellow introduces quiet contrast. These combinations prevent black from feeling too heavy. 

Black is essential for evening dressing and summer city breaks, where it retains its sense of sophistication and anchors a tonal wardrobe. Black shorts and linen trousers are the embodiment of this ethos, offering endless styling opportunities with both bold and neutral pieces. 

For more colour inspiration, discover new arrivals.