Pistachio green has been crowned the most fashionable colour of 2026, according to new research. A survey of 2,000 adults found the delicate green shade beat rivals including sage green, chocolate brown and butter yellow to claim the top spot among tones that best reflect the mood of the year so far.
Pistachio Green Everywhere
More than six in 10 (62%) reported seeing the trendy shade cropping up increasingly in their everyday lives, from food and beverages to clothing, home décor and social media content. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced among younger age groups, with 89% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials having observed the colour featuring more prominently in 2026.
The research was commissioned by Samsung to coincide with the launch of the Galaxy S26 FE, which is available in pistachio, blueberry and graphite.
Colour Influences Taste and Memory
Colour trends also appear to influence taste and behaviour, as 66% of Gen Z and 55% of Millennials have found themselves liking a shade more after seeing it repeatedly in fashion. It also emerged that colours can act as an instant time machine, with 46% saying certain hues can transport them back to a specific stage in their lives.
Annika Bizon, from the tech firm, said: “Colour has an incredible ability to capture a moment. We remember the shades of the clothes we wore, the interiors we loved and even the technology we carried, and together they become part of how we picture an era.”
Colour and Memory
The study also found colour has a surprisingly powerful ability to date our memories, as 28% said a particular one reminds them of their childhood. While 23% associate certain hues with their teenage years and 50% say shades can bring back memories of a particular decade. Others find themselves transported back through colours connected to fashion movements (28%), food and beverages (23%), films and telly (17%), or gadgets (10%).
Some shades have become so synonymous with their moment that they now risk instantly dating whatever they appear on, according to 63%. Avocado green was named the colour most likely to make something look like it belongs to another era, followed by mustard yellow, chocolate brown, and burnt orange.
Technology and Personal Style
The importance of colour is especially clear in technology, as 61% believe an unusual colour makes a tech product stand out. While 52% think the right colour can make technology feel more fashionable and 51% said it can make a tech product feel more personal. Younger adults are even more likely to see device colour as part of their identity, with 61% of Gen Z and 57% of Millennials seeing this as part of their personal style, compared with just 20% of over 60s.
Annika Bizon, from Samsung UK & Ireland, whose new Galaxy S26 FE boasts upgraded camera features and AI-driven functions including My FanCam, Horizontal Lock and Photo Assist, commented: "Pistachio feels particularly right for 2026 because we're seeing this fresh, expressive shade move beyond one trend or category and into so many different parts of culture, from food and fashion to interiors and design. Technology is increasingly an extension of personal style too. We carry our phones everywhere, so people understandably want a device that doesn't just perform brilliantly but feels personal to them."
Top 10 Colours of 2026
The top 10 colours that represent the mood of 2026 are: pistachio green, sage green, chocolate brown, beige/cream, butter yellow, cobalt blue, burgundy, cherry/tomato red, jade green and orange.
