I have a confession: I simply dread the expression “a pop of color.” Though impossible to evade and inextricable from the concept it conveys, this clichéd choice of words always hits my ear wrong, especially because of how it dilutes an aesthetic act that's frankly quite tricky to master. 

For a while, that pesky turn of phrase didn’t get much use in my personal goings-on. As a lifelong disciple of navy blue, I’ve usually been less inclined to allow for other shades to dominate an outfit. But at 28, I'm starting to open up the palette. I rediscovered the power of red, for instance, despite having nixed it as an option out of fear that it'd make my face appear inflamed. The game-changer was a nice red sweater that my mom gifted me about two years ago, of the finest and densest merino you'll ever lay eyes on; yet I've only very recently mustered up the courage to even consider wearing it.

Whether you’re also taking baby steps toward a more multi-chromatic style or  you’ve already been a practiced color fiend, it’s clear that brights are definitely back, judging from a survey of the latest of Tory  ,Willy, or Marc, Proenza to Prada, Celine, Coach and Auralee  — even Team Brazil's Moncler by Oskar Metsavaht kits at the 2026 Winter Olympics — to name not too few brands that've made primary colors second nature. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is in the mood for color. There's a palpable thirst for juicy, candy, cartoonishly saturated hues of pigment — not instead of the muted greiges that swept the zeitgeist, but in support of them. This isn't a mere reintroduction of color, but something far more interesting, hard-won, and skill-based. 

From details as small as shoelaces, ties or beanies to room-commanding outerwear, products are rolling off the presses in rich, gorgeous shades — think grassy greens, beaming oranges, velvety violets. Capsule-worthy pieces that we’ve so frequently come to expect in a standard brown, beige or black, are suddenly alight with a radiance that menswear has traditionally shied away from for its perceived non-timelessness. 

The result isn’t so much an encouragement of color blocking so much as it is of what I’ll call color balancing. And i’m interpreting what we’re seeing on runways as being the advanced, perhaps superlative form of it; a rebuke of what they teach in style 101, wherein supposedly dark blue doesn’t “go” with black (my most controversial Hinge prompt was insisting that it does), amongst other archaic rules. This new wielding of colors doesn't find them stacked and sectioned to manipulate the viewer's attention; instead, they are used in order to accentuate a sensibly measured juxtaposition of distinct tones. “Notice how there are a lot of sweaters knotted around waists, draped over shoulders — things you do,” said my intern while we researched this write-up. Something clicked.

If I look further afield from that red sweater, I can tell now that this chroma-forward sensibility has seeped into my once navy-heavy rotation over the years: my burgundy belt, that decade-old yellow Emerald Coast, N.C. baseball cap I keep close for bouts of sudden rain, humidity or lack of pomade, and these mossy suede boat shoes I love, have all gradually contributed toward a more conscious, intentional effort to embrace the — fine, I'll say it — pop.

Neutrals aren’t exactly known for their playfulness, after all, and at a time when we’re all seeking a sense of whimsy, the return of color to our lives via tinted glasses, vibrant-hued shirt collars peeking out from under something dimmer, or that sentimental crimson cashmere crewneck tied across a white tee'd torso — it represents a mischief in personal style that bland “get the job done” staples couldn’t telegraph on their own.

We’re not done with softer, calmer foundational shades, nor will we ever be. But it seems we’re appointing color a new gig as the perky side dish to our reliable main course. Like with garnish or gravy, its absence might still leave nutritious food — but when used right, a hearty meal becomes even yummier.

Written by Max Migowski, Highsnobiety Shopping Editor

Now that color theory is on your mind, might we alert you to the Arc'teryx Beta SV, which now comes newly GORE-TEX-powered in ultramarine and dusty pink versions. 

As of now more “wishlist” than “shopping cart" material, we're longing for this fabulous Prada leather jacket, and a fun throwback-y Gucci knit — chic in either black or brown. 

For leisurely and athletic pursuits alike, this Lululemon T-shirt has swiftly become a team favorite, not unlike these lined shorts. Or, if you're on the more eccentric side, try Satisfy's Moth and Silk-tech gear. 

Pair the above with the Nike Vomero Plus, why don't you? In this butter variant, natch, for the track, treadmill, or travels.

Since we’re heading to the gym anyway,  we're also slapping on our preferred aluminum-free deodorant by Salt & Stone. The bergamot or santal and vetivert scents are its best.

From workouts to workwear: who hasn't bought a Carhartt yet? For those who've resisted until now, this padded barn style might serve as the ultimate temptation. 

Spring is coming, and so is the return of transitional outdoorware. Why not get in on this red-hot white-hooded Thom Browne, or this striped buttoned blouson by sacai? Along those same (literal) lines, find the latter's knitted polo sibling  for a faint, crocheted light at the end of this very coldest of seasons’ tunnel. 

By Max Migowski

with Herbert Hofmann, Delia Cai & Youri Chapelle