Chasing Rainbows: fashion gets a colour-crazed refit for spring/summer 2016

There's a new colour code in town so it's time to step away from the dark and into the light with clashing rainbow hues. Sarah Young investigates why it's time to ditch the rules and don a technicolour dreamcoat this spring/summer

The striking pallet of the Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2016 collection

For spring/summer the look du jour is markedly brighter than the shaded uniform of winter as we begin to crave more colour, but this season no small dose will do. It happens almost every spring, but with a whole host of designers feeling it too, a kapow colour palette bright enough to lure a migraine offers a welcome alternative to pastels. An instant outfit pick me up, rainbow brights signify a true celebration of summer and the kind of youthful optimism childhood dreams are made of, so it comes as no surprise that Technicolor hues have been given a polished spin.

Rainbow hues of the Chloé Spring/Summer 2016 collection

We have almost come to expect a volley of kaleidoscopic insignia from Gucci and thanks to Alessandro Michele, their spring/summer collection was no exception; in fact, things were arguably more amped up. An eclectic mix of geek-chic, bolts of colour, glitter and embroidery meant that when it came to wearing brights all the rules were broken. This new approach to colour clashing garbs could be felt at Chloe and Missoni, too, where multi-coloured hues hooked onto stripes – for Chloe though, this playful spirit assumed a more ethereal feel with floaty chiffon gowns and rainbow dipped crépon.

The technicolor shades of the Missoni Spring/Summer 2016 collection

Stepping away from the dark side, Christopher Kane opted for primary bolts of colour, acid bright lace and spray-paint prints supplemented by coloured cable tags worn as jewellery. It was a more-is-more approach over at Stella Jean, too, where her colourful heritage gave rise to an exotic mash-up of colourful tassels and pom-poms – clearly there’s a new colour code on the horizon but in reality, just how easy is it to get away with wearing a full blown rainbow? The colour clash trend has made it to the high street, so if you’re feeling brave we urge you to go head-to-toe; pair a bold, patterned bottom with an equally colourful top and gilded sandals. If you’re a little colour shy style your brights with neutrals and make sure to keep silhouettes clean. Or you can give a subtle nod to the trend with a perky accessory. Don’t be afraid to show your true colours this season.