Spring's Runways Are a Masterclass In Ugly Color Combinations

At Saint Laurent's Spring 2025 show in Paris, a series of black, brown, and corporate gray suits was followed by an unexpected cornucopia of color. Creative director Anthony Vaccarello mixed chartreuse with magenta, emerald green with pumpkin, and saw cherry red as the perfect complement to mustard yellow. The unconventional color theory nods to a woman who has gone to their closet without regard for the "traditional" spring color trend combinations.

But this unusual approach in Vaccarello's show—and across the Spring 2025 runways—epitomizes the growing 2025 fashion trend that spans 'good, bad taste.' This concept of colorful clashing—that also champions creativity and individuality—is the antithesis to the past few seasons of stark stealth wealth style and relishes breaking the rules to pursue self-expression—even if it is fashion faux pas.

These creative liberties step on color schemes' many unspoken rules—some are harmonious, and others not so much. While a few are so potent when combined, they stimulate cravings for your favorite fast food. But Vaccarello wasn't the only designer who rejected traditional pairings. Dries Van Noten, Bottega Veneta, and Miu Miu also colored outside the lines this season, switching up palettes and reclaiming color combos—like Christmas's signature red and green—remarketing them as a surprisingly fresh springtime duo.

As the old adage goes, life is full of contradictions; the same goes for this spring's fashion. But often, the most rewarding and intriguing style moments come from taking risks—like combining two vibrant neon colors that, according to fashion rules and regulations, would be considered garish but make you feel something inside.

Ahead, see and shop the unconventional—some might even say offputting—color combinations trending in spring 2025. You might even find the pairings below are the secret to supercharging your own style.

Sea Foam and Citrine

Technically, yes, blue and yellow are analogous colors, so on paper, this Saint Laurent pairing isn't too out of the ordinary. But by choosing a sea foam tinted with green and a rich Meyer lemon yellow, Vaccarello makes the age-old combination feel new. Try it yourself with a bright button-down shirt layered under a crewneck sweater or knit tee teamed with an aqua slip skirt.

Burgundy and Pickle

You think you know red and green. But then Victoria Beckham wears an oxblood leather jacket with slime green trousers, and the classic Christmas combo becomes something different—darker, edgier, and less festive. Commit to the color clash by recreating the exact runway outfit, or try your own take with colored denim and a simple suede pump.

Silver and Acid Yellow

Combining silver and golden yellow looks a lot like an Olympic podium. But, as a brand that constantly pushes standard style boundaries, Prada mixed "medals" with an embellishment-heavy silver gown and a casual windbreaker jacket. The combo also works with a sequined lady jacket and any of 2025's best sneaker trends in bright yellow.

Bright Red and Ultra Violet

When two bold colors are placed next to each other, an interesting phenomenon known as color vibration can occur. Highly saturated shades with similar intensity levels appear to move while competing for your attention. By all standard design rules, Miu Miu's cherry red bodysuit and ultraviolet pencil skirt should be overwhelming, but the bright combo makes them more of a feel-good mood boost.

Tangerine and Chartreuse

Green and orange are two shades apart on the color wheel, which is typically considered too close for comfort. And yet, throughout Dried Van Noten's playful Spring 2025 show, satin slips, lace bralettes, and slime green and vibrant orange blazers were equally electric and soul-satisfying.

Brick and Bubblegum Pink

Red and pink are another color combination with an unfairly negative bad rap. However, the two hues don't always go cuckoo cupid on Valentine's Day, as evidenced by this look from Marc Jacobs's Spring 2025 collection. The oversized brick-red trousers counterbalance the confectionary sweetness of the bubblegum pullover sweater. The same applies to what Aläia's maroon ballet flats do to a sweet spring dress in peony pink.

Ink Black and Midnight Blue

At Carven, Louise Trotter (whose name you'll recognize as Bottega Veneta's new creative director) proposes that black and navy belong together, no matter what any antiquated style guides say. Try it yourself with a dark blue puff-sleeved blouse styled with sharp jet-black trousers or a dark day dress with midnight blue strappy sandals, both of which are smart spring work outfits.

Ketchup and Mustard

We've come full circle to Saint Laurent's Spring 2025 show. Here, another complex color clash, this time featuring bright red lace and mustard yellow satin that make for a refined rebrand of ketchup and mustard. Cherry-colored baggy jeans and a silky blouse in marigold are another team-up that does the two colorful condiments justice.