It was the most divisive trend of the 2010s. Now ‘fashion girlies’ like Sophadopha want to bring it back

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There was a time in the 2010s when you couldn’t walk through a shopping centre without seeing dozens of girls and women decked out teal and coral.

The divisive colour combo was everywhere for a few years, from coloured jeans, to chevron tops, swimwear, accessories, and even home decor – then it suddenly vanished, only to be remembered years later as a bit of a collective fashion fail.

These days the teal/coral combo is considered an infamous and controversial relic of trend cycles past.

But it looks like the ‘fashion girlies’ are ready to bring it back, and Sophia Begg (better known online as @sophadophaa) is leading the pack.

The All For Mimi founder started rocking teal with a pop of pink back in July and has been posting outfits featuring the colour combo on social media ever since.

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She paired a teal bag with hot pink low-rise track pants when she jetted to Europe, and wore heaps of teal in France and Greece.

She stuck to the trend when she returned to Australia, then inverted her airport outfit with a teal tracksuit and coral bag when she flew to New Zealand Fashion Week this week.

The vibrant pink and blue colour combo has now filtered through to her brand.

All For Mimi’s socials are covered in photos of Begg and models posing in the colour palette while promoting its new icon tees.

Begg isn’t the only style icon brining teal back, either.

Influencer Jacquie Alexander (@jacquiealexander) has been sharing plenty of outfits with pops of teal with her 332,000 Instagram followers lately.

Aussie label Khaos has put out several teal pieces, which have found their way onto the bodies of fashion influencers like Bella Spence (@bellaspence__) and into the crowd at Australian Fashion Week 2026.

Australia fashion brand Meshki is also releasing tops, skirts and dresses in the summery shade as warmer weather approaches.

“After such a long period of neutral colours dominating fashion, I think the colour feels fresh again,” Meshki’s head of brand marketing, press and influencer Courtney Judd told nine.com.au.

“There’s a real appetite for colour again, and teal sits in a really nice space between being bold, yet wearable.”

Consumer trend forecasting company WGSN and colour system Coloro even predicted teal would be the colour of 2026 late last year, as reported by Hypebae.

It was only a matter of time before fashion companies and consumers started pairing the colour with coral for a high-contrast, tropical look.

Mode Mischief Studios, another Aussie brand, has been putting out pieces in coral and teal for months now.

High street stores like Glassons have followed suit and embraced the colour combo, much to the chagrin of 30-something Aussies who remember the last time it was on trend.

As personal stylist Tara Pokarier has told nine.com.au repeatedly, fashion is a cycle and old trends always come back around eventually – usually with a bit of a twist.

While teal and coral was the go-to colour combo of the 2010s, this new iteration of the trend appears to be more focused on pairing teal with a range of vibrant colours, from hot pinks to lime greens.

This Glassons swimsuit pairs teal with lime green for a fresh take on the trend.

Shop the swimsuit here

It can also come through as vibrant blue and pink combos that don’t stick to the strict teal and coral shades from more than a decade ago.

“I think we’ll definitely see colour pairings return, but in a more contrasting way,” Judd said.

“Teal and coral has a very recognisable 2010s feel, so rather than wearing them together in the same way we once did, I’m expecting to see it paired back with subtle pops of coral through accessories, like large resin bangles, a chunky necklace, or more subtle heels.”

After years of muted tones and neutrals, it makes sense that bright colours would be poised for a revival now.

Swedish singer Zara Larsson’s popularity exploded after she adopted a highly saturated, tropical, Y2K colour palette for her music videos and tour outfits.

Bright colours like teal have become her signature, set her apart from her pop star peers, and inspired her fans to embrace more colourful clothing.

Judd encouraged Aussies to follow suit as teal takes over through spring and summer.

“For an everyday, wearable take, keep the silhouette modern and let the colour talk,” she suggested.

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“One hero teal piece styled cleanly, such as relaxed denim with a statement teal top, paired with neutrals like chocolate brown or cream to keep it feeling current.

“For those who want to go bolder, we’re also seeing a strong appetite for colour-maxing, with Australians embracing shades of blue and green alongside punchy shades like pink and yellow.”

But not everyone in the nine.com.au office is convinced the teal and coral colour combo specifically needs a comeback.

“While I might personally have to pass, I think it is cute and very summery,” Suki said.

“I am also very pleased to see some colour returning to fashion trends, I am sick to death of recession brown.”

Charlotte was a bit more blunt, saying: “It NEEDS to be left in the past where it belongs, I’m so sorry.”