Beige Just Got "Boring"—Chocolate Box Dressing is the New Way to Look Rich in 2026

It started quickly, almost overnight and gained traction at lightening speed. One minute royal purple was a fashion no-go, the next it was the summer's smash hit. For a handful of people, wearing bright purple was business as usual, but for the rest of us, we would need a little more convincing; after all, we couldn't see past the Cadbury connotations. A couple of months later and purple is as ubiquitous as camel on the runways, a stark reminder that few colour trends feel quite as luxurious as rich, jewel tones.

But what do the emerald greens, deep sapphire blues, striking coppers and vibrant ruby reds all have in common? Yes, they are making a compelling case for embracing colour this season, bringing a sense of depth and sophistication to even the most simple outfits. But, when fashioned in sumptuous silk, lace and head-turning lamé, you can't help but feel like a kid in a candy shop. Understated neutrals will always have their place in a well-curated wardrobe, but if you're ready to lean into a maximalist autumn, these gemstone-inspired, sweet wrapper hues are perfect for the grey days that need a little extra colour.

Though we may have fallen for Valentino's supersized bows and raspberry silk gloves, or maybe you preferred Loewe's Flake-reminiscent yellow and purple looks, you don’t need to commit to a head-to-toe look to make the trend work. A jewel-toned handbag here, a pair of statement shoes there, these punchy shades can be enough to breathe new life into your existing wardrobe by proximity alone. But, if you do want to dive head first into a more adventurous approach, experimenting with colour combinations can also be part of the appeal. Think ruby red alongside soft pink (strawberry creme) or emerald green paired with classic black for a look that feels both modern and timeless (and very After Eight).

Whether you’re looking to inject a little colour into your everyday wardrobe or searching for a standout piece that will work well beyond this season, jewel tones are a trend worth paying attention to. Keep scrolling to see the shades worth knowing now, and of course some easy ways to wear them. Who knows, you may just find a combination tasty enough to convince you to embrace a little more colour.

1. The Big Purple One

Style Notes: Starting strong with the colour that kickstarted the trend, rich, royal purple is still continuing it's reign as "It hue" of the season. Dipped in Dairy Milk deliciousness, this statement colour swept the autumn/winter runways at Loewe, Fendi, Kent & Curwen and Balenciaga, but it was also the highlight in Issey Miyake's spring/summer 2027 collection too, suggesting that designers are backing it well into the new year. Such a vibrant shade might not be best worn head-to-toe, but the high street has made a strong case for knits and tees in striking violet to help dress-up casual denim and easy flats.

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2. Whisper Gold

Style Notes: In case you missed it, you're going to want to Google the Saint Laurent S/S '27 show. And I mean, immediately. Set against the sparkling backdrop of the Trocadéro, and facing the illuminated Eiffel Tower, the high octane show was an ode to the glamour of gold. Out of 59 looks, 49 were dedicated to full looks of co-ords, dresses, cropped jackets and trousers in all rendered in shining gold (or at the very least, copper).

Look back to this season's runways and you'll see the same: Shushu Tong, Margiela, Christian Dior and Zimmermann are all banking heavily on the value of gold ahead of party season. Could this be the luxe trend we needed to replace sequins and feathers? Potentially. But if you want to look less like an Academy Award and more runway-inspired, dresses were the undoubtedly the hero piece to come out of the trend. They're easy to wear with just about any shoe or bag colour, but creams, nudes and neutrals allow the style to truly shine.

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3. After Eight

Style Notes: If you think of mint and chocolate and your mind goes to ice cream shades, think again. This season is all about strong mint leaf green teamed with black and bitter chocolate for a decadent take on how to wear green. Emerald often tends to pop up in the jewel tone conversation, but usually in the form of jewellery, so imagine our surprise to see green silk, leather and lace taking centre stage in the Akris, Shiatzy Chen and Balenciaga collections.

The styling advice is clear—ground this commanding colour with deep neutrals for an easy way to make it feel daytime ready. Taking your look into evening too? Swap your heavy black boots for a sharp court shoe to show you really mean business.

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4. Strawberry Creme

Style Notes: Fiery, chilli red was big news last winter, and pops of scarlet rolled into spring/summer this year too, cementing red as one to watch into this autumn and beyond. Interestingly enough, it does feel a lot sweeter (and a lot more approachable) when teamed with blush pink to give strawberry creme energy. 16 Arlington, Robert Wun and Hèrmes continue to champion bold red, while Chanel and Balenciaga haute couture kept things cutesy with pink and red pairings more pretty than overpowering.

For a masterclass in how to make this duo feel fashion forward though, see Sarah Burton's spring/summer 2027 collection for Givenchy, where a red leather shirt was shown tucked into a merlot skirt and finished with a candy pink handbag. Who needs fifty shades of grey when you can play with a red and pink palette?

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5. A Chocolate Orange

Style Notes: Look away now, wallflowers (that is, if you hadn't already). Perhaps one of the most daring, statement colours on the list is a punchy orange—not brooding rust, not toasty paprika, this fresh, zingy orange isn't exactly a jewel tone, but is a confectioner's dream. Just as minimalists were about to relax into a winter of black, white and grey, orange has come along to shake things up, brightening everything from handbags at Bulgari to lace dresses at Saint Laurent. The easiest way to wear orange now? Well, it does work exceptionally well with chocolate brown (for obvious reasons), but it's also surprisingly good with blue denim. So, before you reach for yet another grey jumper, orange could be a-peeling. I'll see myself out...

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