The phrase "colour drenching" is typically applied to interiors, to describe a room that has been covered floor-to-ceiling in varying shades and tones of one colour. But we think it's also an apt way to describe this season's colour trend. Moving on from the head-to-toe colour get-ups of the past few seasons – most notably red – the way to wear your favourite colour now is in several hues, all at once.
Take Gen Z yellow, for example. Rather than wearing one piece in a zingy shade, we're layering neons, sorbets and muted tones in honey, canary and mustard yellow. Same with this season's pastel: lilac. Instead of sticking with the one purple piece, we'll make like a canvas and daub ourselves in plum, violet, grape and heather. Also known as tonal dressing, SS18's catwalks were a masterclass in how to work the look.
At Victoria Beckham, ice-cream pastels were the order of the day, with models wearing blue via turquoise shirts, duck egg courts and azure midi skirts. Max Mara proved that neutrals needn't be dull, with camels, taupes and tans worn together in trench coats, slim-fit trousers and sheer tops, while Rihanna's Fenty x Puma gave a good lesson in dressing in every shade of orange going.
If the trend sounds a little overwhelming, pick two complementary shades and work from there – pair a couple of lilac pieces with a flash of cornflower yellow, or use white or black as your background and match the chartreuse in your slogan tee with an olive-green skirt. Still not convinced? We've rounded up the best street style examples of colour drenching, and picked the pieces you need to nail the trend this spring.
Queen of patterns and prints Giovanna Battaglia is a peaches-and-cream delight at Paris Fashion Week. Pulling out the sorbet shade in her skirt and pairing with a Miu Miu coat, embroidered blouse and bag of the same colour, she works colour drenching without relying on block colours. Her green Manolo Blahnik courts break up the look.
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Chloé Orange Suede Lauren Pumps, £370, available at Farfetch
Warehouse Stripe Pleated Midi Skirt, £56, available at Warehouse
Gucci Tiger-Print Jersey T-shirt, £370, available at Matches Fashion
Zara Crossbody Bag With Chain Strap, £19.99, available at Zara
If the idea of head-to-toe tonal dressing brings you out in hives, try taking two shades of one colour – like this street styler – and bringing in a third item that isn't a world away, but doesn't add too much drama. Keeping berry shades like purple and pink together, and finishing with neutral white pieces, is a surefire way to make the trend more wearable.
& Other Stories Cropped Mock Neck Sweater, £59, available at & Other Stories
Ganni Paneled Jeans, £295, available at Net-A-Porter
Mango Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.99, available at Mango
adidas Stan Smith Shoes, £69.95, available at adidas
Stylist Shiona Turini works the same tone of emerald green but switches it up with varying textures and prints. If one particular shade is your favourite, avoid looking like a kids' TV presenter by doing the same. Her printed Fendi coat, pleated Valentino skirt and leather Aquazzura boots add different dimensions to one hue.
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Victoria Beckham Grain De Poudre Stretch-Wool Slim-Leg Pants, £595, available at Net-A-Porter
Topshop Ditsy Deconstructed Midi Dress, £49, available at Topshop
Mango Ceramic Earrings, £15.99, available at Mango
Malone Souliers Victoria Moire Double-Bow Kitten-Heel Mules, £395, available at Matches Fashion
Yellow has long been deemed impossible to wear, but that changed when Gen Z reclaimed the colour in everything from photography to sunglasses. While limoncello has assumed the popularity of millennial pink's bubblegum, we're also digging canary, custard and neon. Layer deep and light shades to create a pitch-perfect spring look.
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M.i.h Jeans Caron High-Rise Cropped Jeans, £215, available at Matches Fashion
Rochas Round-Neck Ruffled Cotton-Blend Top, £418, available at Matches Fashion
Mango Jacquard Flat Sandals, £35.99, available at Mango
Isabel Marant Red Other Potatoes Earrings, £180, available at Ssense
Thanks to the likes of Balenciaga, Valentino and Ashish making red the colour du jour back at AW17, the bold-as-they-come hue has dominated, as demonstrated by Candace Marie. Now, though, we're playing with multiple prints and accessories, rather than sticking to block colours. Florals, stripes and polka dots at the ready.
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Elizabeth and James Eloise Tote, £310, available at Net-A-Porter
H&M Suede Ballet Pumps, £39.99, available at H&M
Self-Portrait Guipure Lace-Trimmed Dress, £300, available at Net-A-Porter
Weekday Tarot Earrings, £8, available at Weekday
Ah, the ultimate workwear: neutrals. A white shirt is perfectly remixed with a beige mac, camel trousers and tan bag, and thanks to the slew of trenches on offer this season, you have plenty of shades to pick from. Remember, white doesn't need to be icy or shocking, and neutrals don't need to be dull. Add pops of bold colour by way of statement earrings or a micro bag.
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Monki Twill Trench Coat, £50, available at Monki
Shrimps Antonia Beaded Cream Bag, £450, available at Shrimps
Isa Arfen Ruffle-Trimmed Ramie Wrap Shirt, £450, available at Matches Fashion
Whistles Toria Casual Tapered Leg, £119, available at Whistles
Zara Leather Slides With Wavy Straps, £19, available at Zara
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