Our Editors All Agree—These Are the Colours to Avoid This Spring
There's nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into a new season. But as the days get longer and the temperatures rise, suddenly, our wardrobes can start to feel a little… off.
The chunky knits we lived in for months feel too heavy, our trusty black coats are a little too serious and even our go-to denim can feel restrictive and boring. But beyond swapping out fabrics and silhouettes, the colours we wear also play a huge role in this seasonal shift. And whilst certain spring colours naturally lend themselves to the lighter, brighter feel of the season, there are a few shades that we don't tend to wear in spring—at least, according to theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK team.
For most of us, spring signals a return to pastels, soft neutrals and some more vibrant hues that reflect the season's optimistic mood. This is when powder pinks, breezy blues and soft yellows take centre stage, mirroring the blooming flowers and clear skies. But just as some colours feel right for spring, others—whilst great in other contexts—can feel a little out of place. Think about it. Have you ever thrown on a deep burgundy jumper on a warm spring day and felt like it just didn’t match the vibe, or reached for a bright yellow piece, only to realise it felt too brash for the mild temperature?
The spring/summer 2025 runways were a reminder of just how much colour impacts how we dress for the season. Designers leaned into fresh, uplifting shades. Pale pink featured heavily at Stella McCartney, where oversized blazers and fluid wide-leg trousers proved that the shade can be both powerful and playful. Buttery yellows at Valentino came in the form of dreamy chiffon dresses with cascading ruffles, along with delicate slip skirts and floaty coats that felt light as air—proving that yellow, when done right, can feel effortlessly elegant rather than overpowering.
Meanwhile, sage green at Chloé was seen in an array of breezy linen separates, flowing maxi dresses and sculptural outerwear that gave the neutral-leaning shade an earthy, almost ethereal presence. The message was clear: after a winter of rich, chocolatey browns, deep plums and burgundy, this season's colour palette is all about softness, subtlety and wearability.
Whilst there are no hard and fast "rules" when it comes to which colours to wear when, there are a few shades we're personally stepping away from this season. And before you panic, we've got just-as-chic alternatives that will work even better.
Whether it's down to how certain shades sit against your complexion, how they clash with spring's natural light or just how they feel in warmer weather, here are four colours to reconsider this season and the shades to swap them for instead.
Colours to Skip in Spring
Avoid: Burgundy
Choose Instead: Pale Pink
Style Notes: Burgundy is a classic autumn and winter shade—it's rich, warm and pairs beautifully with heavier fabrics. But in spring? It can feel a little too dark, especially when the days are bright and fresh. Pale pink, on the other hand, offers that same sense of sophistication but with a softer, more seasonally appropriate feel.
Our SEO writer, Ava Gilchrist, thinks the same. "Personally, I avoid any wintery colours like burgundy and navy. Whilst they're timeless shades, I feel they're more attuned to enhancing cool-weather outfits rather than signalling the balmy climate and languid atmosphere spring encourages. On the other hand, I would never wear anything too bright or saturated. Instead, I prefer pastels or lighter shades like pale pink to lull me into the warmer months that await."
Shop Pale Pink:
A great transitional piece. Wear it with jeans now, then drape it over a slip dress when it gets warmer.
The easiest way to freshen up your wardrobe. These feel modern and make neutrals pop.
Ballet flats are a versatile spring staple. This pair adds polish without feeling too dressed up.
Just the right size for spring outings in a shade that feels cute and elegant.
Avoid: Yellow
Choose Instead: Light Blue
Style Notes: Yellow is a divisive colour. Whilst soft pastel tones were all over the S/S 25 runways, certain shades—especially bold, mustardy yellows—can be tricky to style and sometimes overpower rather than complement a look. Light blue, however, is universally flattering and gives that crisp, clean feeling we all crave in spring.
"As lovely as yellow is and as much as I like to debunk any and all outdated fashion 'rules', I can just never make the shade work for my pale complexion and light-blonde hair colour. Pretty pale yellows really wash me out, and anything brighter just doesn’t feel 'me'. Although I’ll be swerving it this spring, it is a major colour trend for the season ahead, so if you like it, then don’t let my personal opinion deter you," says deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger.
"Instead, I’m more interested in exploring ways of incorporating classic light blues into my looks to hit refresh after a winter of wearing mostly black. A billowing cotton shirt tucked into jeans, sky-hued dress worn with my favourite brown accessories or a slip skirt styled with my favourite cream knit—that’s what I’m envisioning for myself for spring 2025."
Shop Light Blue:
Alaïa Le Teckel bag in this light blue colour ties everything together.
The go-to shoe for warm-weather dressing, espadrille wedges give height without sacrificing comfort.
Avoid: Lilac
Choose Instead: Cherry Red
Style Notes: Lilac has been a spring favourite for years, but it doesn’t work for everyone—especially those with cooler undertones. If you've ever felt like lilac washes you out, cherry red is the alternative to try. It's bold and vibrant and brings an unexpected edge to spring dressing.
Rebecca Rhys-Evans, branded content editor for fashion and beauty, knows that lilac isn't for her. "As much as I love pastels when other people wear them, certain tones on my fair skin just don’t do me justice. Lilac washes me out and makes me look the opposite of glowy, rosy and refreshed, which is how I'd like to look at this time of year. Instead, I opt for strong reds. This is, of course, when I deter from my usual palette of white, cream, navy, grey and black (yes, summer black is a thing!)."
Shop Cherry Red:
Posse's popular Matilda vest comes in a vibrant cherry red this season.
The full co-ord is a great way to introduce colour into your wardrobe.
If you ask me, every spring wardrobe needs a red cardigan—especially if you live in the UK.
Avoid: Black
Choose Instead: Sage Green
Style Notes: We all love black—it's chic, timeless and easy to wear. But in spring, it can sometimes feel too heavy and stark, especially against softer seasonal shades. Enter sage green. It's just as versatile but has a lighter, more organic feel that fits perfectly with spring’s aesthetic. As a lover of black, this is the one colour I'm surprised has made it into my neutral wardrobe. Sage green is the neutral I never knew I needed. It's a subtle green, so it still makes a statement but doesn't feel too bold against the rest of my wardrobe. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it sits with the rest of my rotation.
Shop Sage Green:
Humaa is the Junior Branded Content Editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, where she specialises in paid-for and affiliate content across beauty and fashion. She holds a BA Hons in English Literature and has previously held editor positions at British Vogue and Marie Claire US. Before joiningBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, she was part of the US Branded Content team, bringing her expertise back home to help grow the UK division. With years of experience testing and reviewing fashion and beauty products, she writes trend-driven and commerce-focused stories. When she's not shopping for work, she's making her way through her Kindle TBR list—spoiler: it's a long one. Follow her on Instagram at @Humaa.Hussain
-
I Already Have an Elevated Closet, But If I Were to Start Over, I'd Go for These 5 Staples
Effortless outfit ideas ahead.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
These 5 Inspiring Outfits Are Proof You Can Easily Merge Classic and Trendy Styles
Trust me, you're going to want to re-create these looks.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The 2025 It Girl's Wardrobe: 9 Highly Specific Brands and Buys They're All Wearing
From handbags to jeans to jewelry.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
Fwrd Just Launched Its One-Day Anniversary Sale—33 Top-Tier Fashion Items That'll Go First
Shop these beautiful pieces before they sell out.
By Chichi Offor
-
36 Gorgeous Spring Dresses I'm Eyeing From Zara, Revolve, and Ref
Draping! Lace! Volume!
By Caitlin Burnett
-
All I Want to Wear Is Leopard Print This Spring—These 30 Styles Are So Chic
It's back!
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Step Aside, Leopard Print—This Is Unquestionably 2025's It Print
Alaïa and Zara both agree.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
My Friend Asked What Should Be on Her Spring Shopping List—I Sent These 34 Items
From powder pink to butter yellow.
By Caitlin Burnett