After the recent outcry from the fashion industry, commentators, and designers regarding the Pantone Color Institute’s selection of its white “Cloud Dancer” as the 2026 Color of the Year, detractors of that decision should be pleased with Stitch Fix’s 2026 Color of the Year, “Chili Red.”

This is the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of white. The company said it’s “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.”

“The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute, said in a media release. “A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”

Critics suggest Pantone’s choice was “dull at best and politically charged at worst.” But there are options.

Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service, revealed the top trends and style influences on women’s fashion for 2025. Drawing on its billions of client data points on style and fit preferences and insights from Stitch Fix stylists, the service named Chili Red its 2026 Color of the Year and the fashion shift expected to define the year ahead.

Retro, Sporty and Collegiate: The Top Fashion Trends of 2025
Stitch Fix said it surveyed its stylists to identify the top three trends’ clients embraced the most this past year, which included:

  • ’90s Revival: The decade made a strong comeback in 2025, inspiring more than a third of clients’ wardrobes. Nearly 90 percent of the company’s stylists are styling clients in wider-leg denim, while client requests mentioning “relaxed” styles increased more than 16 times in the last three months.
  • Sporty-Inspired Looks: Athletic aesthetics scored, with over 60 percent of stylists styling clients in tennis-inspired pieces, including pleated skirts and polos. In addition, sales of wide-leg and flared athleisure pants have also risen more than 125 percent since last year.
  • Return to Campus: Modern varsity and collegiate dressing with a city edge was a client favorite, with over 60 percent of stylists saying it was the trend used most often. Clients embraced retro sneakers, varsity-inspired tops and stripes, with requests for “stripes” up over 80 percent in the last three months.

Celebrity Inspiration
Stitch Fix stylists also identified the celebrities who had the greatest impact on client’ fashion choices in 2025.

  • Jennifer Aniston topped the list with over 50 percent saying their clients were inspired by her style.
  • Taylor Swift came in second with nearly 40 percent of stylists naming the musical artist as a client fashion inspiration.
  • Anne Hathaway rounded out the top three, with over 30 percent of stylists naming her a top fashion influence.

“In 2025, our clients embraced a variety of trends, integrating 90s looks, sporty-inspired styles and more,” said Amy Sullivan, VP of Buying and Private Brands at Stitch Fix. “At the same time, they also expressed that they are feeling ‘trend fatigue’ with two-thirds of clients either choosing to be selective with trends or ignoring the constant trend churn. While we will always make sure, we have the trend-right assortment and support our clients looking for the latest looks, we also expect this reluctance to trend chase to continue in 2026 and to fuel the rise of Statement Staples, standout items that elevate and add personality to classic looks.”

Looking Ahead: Statement Staples
Stitch Fix released findings from a recent survey indicating that over half of clients described their ideal 2026 wardrobe as “elevated basics with bold accents,” and that more than 60 percent plan to invest in versatile pieces that can be styled for multiple occasions.

“After the ‘Dopamine Dressing’ of the post-pandemic era and the understated ‘Quiet Luxury’ that followed, Stitch Fix predicts 2026 will be defined by Statement Staples,” the company forecast. “These pieces range from sculptural jewelry, colorful bags and playful charms to statement-making outerwear like textured wool coats and modern trenches.”

To support this trend, Stitch Fix said it has expanded its assortment, adding greater variety in its footwear and accessory categories specifically.

Stitch Fix’s Color of the Year: Chili Red
In sharp contrast to Pantone’s top color forecast, Stitch Fix believes color will play a significant role in bringing Statement Staples to life. Over 70 percent of the company’s clients say they use color to add personality to their outfits, signaling a growing appetite for expressive yet wearable hues.

Stitch Fix calls its color choice, Chili Red, a “vivid, optimistic and confident shade. Sales of red pieces are reportedly up by over 50 percent as of October 2025, and the company sees demand growing further in 2026.

“Color is one of the easiest ways clients can make a statement and show their personality,” said Sullivan. “Chili Red is a great color to do this with. It’s bold enough to stand out yet versatile enough to be incorporated into almost any wardrobe.”

Methodology: All Stitch Fix sales and client request data are compared for the calendar year 2024 (January to October) to the calendar year 2025 (January to October). Insights from Stitch Fix clients are from a Stitch Fix survey fielded in October 2025 (1,076 respondents). Stylist insights are from a Stitch Fix survey fielded to the group in November 2025 (1,041 respondents).

Images courtesy Pantone Color Institute/Stitch Fix