Mint mania: is toothpaste dressing the next big color?
Forget butter yellow and tomato red – fashion’s latest obsession is decidedly… dental. A wave of mint green, icy blues, and pale pastels is sweeping runways and infiltrating street style, prompting a curious question: are we entering the era of “toothpaste dressing”? It’s a look that’s surprisingly chic, and one that’s already capturing the attention of industry insiders.
The rise of the refreshing palette
The shift is undeniable. Where blush pink reigned supreme just months ago, mint green now commands attention. Designers across the board, from Fendi to Chanel, have embraced the hue, experimenting with sheer layers, tonal styling, and unexpected textural combinations. Johanna Parv, the Estonian designer based in London, presented sporty silhouettes in lush light green, demonstrating the versatility of the shade. Even traditionally darker palettes for fall 2025 have been punctuated with mint, injecting a lightness into structured looks at Givenchy and Stella McCartney.
But the real turning point came with the emergence of a broader organic green movement, incorporating jade, moss, and other botanical tones alongside the iconic mint. Simone Rocha’s spring 2026 collection saw the integration of frosty blue chiffons, while Dior showcased architectural bubble dresses in the same cool shade, emphasizing a subtle femininity that feels both fresh and modern.
Chanel, however, arguably took the trend to its logical extreme. The brand’s spring 2026 collection featured mint-capped pumps and foamy-toned bags, with the color permeating openwork crochet skirts, macramé belts, bouclé dresses, and tweed blazers. As writer Alice Betts observed, “I love that this fresh colorway is having a comeback all thanks to Blazy. On top of my wishlist is the Chanel small tote bag; it adds a perfect pop of colour.”
The influence isn’t limited to high fashion. Hattie Tennant, founder of London-based brand Fruity Booty, notes that her creative director, Jazz Mignone, has been “properly fell in love with mint” for over a year. “It landed exactly when we needed it,” she explains, with the brand exploring mintier tones in its fall/winter 2025 collection to lift the palette of inherently more muted clothing.
Designers like Brooke Callahan, known for her vibrant cotton pants and skirts, acknowledge the challenge of styling mint green effectively. “It can go in the way of hospital scrubs pretty quickly,” she admits, opting for silk to elevate the shade and explore the possibilities of cool blues in a recent collaboration with Hai.
Beyond the runway: a cultural shift
Lucila Safdie, who initially introduced mint green through her popular Alice bands, sees the color’s appeal in its universal flattery and its ability to convey femininity without excess. For others, like Moldovan designer Fidan Novruzova, mint represents boldness, inspired by the striking color palettes of Polish art deco icon Tamara de Lempicka. Novruzova's fall 2026 collection features a long-lapeled spearmint shirt paired with a peplum skirt and her signature boots, articulating a confident and modern femininity.
The resurgence of mint green isn't merely a fleeting trend; it signifies a broader rejection of the “clean girl” aesthetic and a renewed desire for storytelling in fashion. While the look might seem intimidating at first, the runways have proven its surprising versatility, complementing both neutral tones and vibrant hues. Ultimately, embracing “toothpaste dressing” is about injecting a dose of playful freshness into your wardrobe—and smiling while you do it.
The final tally? Sales of mint-toned accessories, particularly Chanel's new offerings, are up 37% in the last quarter, signaling that this isn’t just a runway moment—it’s a consumer shift. The era of understated minimalism is fading; the future is minty fresh.