Prom Perfection: Colour Trends You’ll Love for 2026

When it comes to prom, colour can totally make or break your look and every year, some shades just take over.  If you’re on the hunt for a dress that feels fresh and fits your vibe, it’s never too early to start looking (we’re already taking orders for 2026)! And it’s shaping up to be another colourful year with some seriously stunning shades leading the way. 

 

The hottest colour for prom 2026? 

It’s teal.  Without a doubt. It’s been super popular in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down into next season. From greenish hints to more blue-leaning tones, it’s one of those colours that flatters a ton of skin tones and looks gorgeous in flowing, ruffled gowns which – spoiler alert:  is another trend we’re expecting to roll right into the 2026 season.  

Not far behind, we’re seeing plenty of pinks and blues on our order books already, as well as deep jewel tones like emerald and eye-catching royal blue. If your vibe is softer and more feminine, you’re not alone, pastel blush and lavender are always big favourites every prom season.  

And let’s not forget the classics. Bold reds and hot pinks are always a safe choice if you want to make a real statement.  

Why are these colours trending?  

You can thank celeb fashion and red-carpet moments for a lot of the colour buzz.  Zendaya’s teal bubble dress lives rent free in our heads and everyone from Blake Lively to Florence Pugh to Jenna Ortega has been spotted rocking gorgeous teal numbers on the red carpet.  

Star power has definitely raised its profile but the very best thing about teal is its versatility: there’s a hue that works for nearly everyone which makes it even easier to recreate your favourite looks for prom.  

But what about trending styles?  

Ball gowns have been very ‘in’ this summer and it seems like loads of you are planning to keep that going into 2026. It’s all about those beautiful soft, full skirts that float as you move. Those bigger gowns work really well with lighter shades for picture perfect princess feels.   

If your style is a little more understated, straight-cut dresses are also looking to stay incredibly popular for a sleek, chic, modern silhouette. A simpler dress is just crying out for darker, richer hues so you can really go to town on the colour.  

Matching your colour to your skin tone 

If you’re wondering what colour will suit you best, here’s a super quick cheat-sheet:  

• Cool undertones? Go for blues, silvers and lavenders.  

• Warm undertones? Reds, corals and golds will make you glow.  

• Neutral undertones? You’ve got it easy – pretty much any colour works but those jewels will pop on you.  

Still not quite sure? The best thing to do is start early (now’s the perfect time to start planning for 2026 prom season) and try loads of different colours and styles, even those wild cards you might not have thought were very ‘you’. You might just be surprised at what looks and feels incredible.   

Make sure you bring along someone whose opinion you trust to give you honest feedback too.   And don’t forget about your accessories! Your shoes, jewellery and make up should make your dress colour sing, not fade into the background.  

One last thing… (two, actually) 

Firstly, before you fall in love with a colour or style, double check your school’s dress code.  Some schools aren’t fans of white or neon shades.  We only ever sell one dress to one school so whatever you go for, there’s no danger of that awkward matchy-matchy moment.  

And lastly, don’t forget the photographer!  If you want to make sure your dress makes a real statement in those all-important pics, we’d recommend going for darker, richer tones that will look oh so elegant under the flash.  

Ready to find your perfect 2026 prom dress? We’d love to help you get it just right, book an appointment here.