This Fresh Spring Colour Combination Is Classy, Timeless and Already a Favourite of Katie and Alexa

As Fashion Month looms on the horizon, I’ve been mulling over the kind of looks and motifs we might see unfold on the runway this time around. Reflecting on last season’s soft, harmonious colour palette—those pastel hues that seemed to cocoon us in serenity—I can’t help but wonder how this trend will evolve. Will designers deepen its roots or take it in a bold new direction? While the answer will come soon enough, I think I’ve stumbled upon a little clue courtesy of some of my favourite celebrities.

In recent weeks, I’ve spotted an elegant and understated colour pairing emerging across the style set: blue and brown. Not exactly a groundbreaking combo, you might think, but in the hands of Alexa Chung and Katie Holmes, it feels utterly fresh and exciting—dare I say, a harbinger of things to come.

Chung gave us a first taste when she paired a sky-blue button-down shirt with a chocolate-brown leather jacket in an outfit that exuded practical polish. The warm richness of the leather jacket balanced the softness of the pale blue, creating a look that felt at once modern and classic.

Then, Holmes stepped out in a similarly striking interpretation of the trend. True to her penchant for understated sophistication, Katie styled a high-neck blouse in a soft sky-blue shade with earthy brown trousers. The result? A perfect balance of whimsy and grounded elegance. The delicate blue added a touch of optimism, while the brown provided warmth and depth—a pairing that felt both unexpected and deeply refined.

Katie Holmes wears a blue shirt and brown trousers.

It’s not just celebrity wardrobes where this trend is gaining traction. Casting my mind back to last September, I started noticing this blue-and-brown duo quietly making its way onto spring/summer 2024 runways. The pairing feels especially timely: baby blue channels the hopeful, breezy energy of spring, while the grounding tones of brown provide a transitional quality that’s perfect for the season’s unpredictable weather.

Model wears a blue top and brown skirt on the Atlein spring/summer runway 2025.

Model wears a blue top and brown skirt on the Atlein spring/summer 2025 runway.

What’s most exciting about this combination, though, is its enduring appeal. Unlike the fleeting red-hot craze of 2023, which dominated everything from knits to accessories, blue and brown has an ageless quality. It’s chic without being flashy, versatile without feeling boring, and—crucially—it works year-round.