Fall colors have a magical way of embodying all the best parts of autumn. From rich chocolate brown to bold reds and moody shades of blue, these fall shades are anything but boring. They give that sense of curling up in front of a fire on a cool night, or enjoying the changing leaves in all their brilliant glory. The fall color palette may include a number of neutral tones in addition to the brighter shades, but even hues like ivory, black, and brown feel warm and inviting during the chilly season. And what’s even better than styling an outfit with a fall color? Pairing two together to create a chic fall look. These are the 10 fall colors fashion lovers should try styling this season!
1. Tan & Black
dress | blazer | boots | tights | bag | watch
Tan and black might be one of the best combinations to start with if you’re styling looks with a capsule wardrobe. These two neutrals play off each other and give you the perfect amount of contrast in a pairing that’s sophisticated, polished, and put-together. You can play around with the beiges you use as well – anything from taupe to camel brown will work.
When it comes to office wear, this is a perfect pairing. Black will flatter your silhouette, especially in the form of a little black dress, tights, and tall boots. You can always reach for a longer skirt, depending on your height and work dress code. A blazer will add that sophisticated touch, and the lighter taupe shade will brighten up your features. A black leather watch and a Longchamp Le Pliage tote complement your neutral fall color scheme and are ideal for an office setting.
2. Navy & Burgundy
trench coat | shoes | bag | watch | sweater | skirt
Although you might think of neutrals first when you call to mind the fall color palette, there are plenty of brighter hues to choose from as well! Burgundy and navy are two such examples. If black is a little too harsh for your features, then navy is the perfect alternative. Meanwhile, burgundy gives you a deeper option as opposed to cherry red and is a harmonious match with soothing navy.
This is a luxurious pairing that will always make you look classic and expensive! Because the contrast between the two colors is relatively low, you can create dimension in your look with texture. Think a soft knit paired with a sleek trench coat, shiny flats, gold accents, and a croc-embossed watch.
3. Brown & Light Blue
shirt | sweater | jeans | watch | bag | loafers
Speaking of shades of blue, don’t be afraid to pair warm and cool colors together. Mocha brown has been everywhere for fall, and it’s a great pairing with blue. When you’re trying to come up with fall color combinations, think about pairings you would actually find in nature. Brown is grounded, solid, and comforting, while blue represents the open sky. That’s why this color combo is so pleasing to the eye!
Color theory also plays a part here. The warm brown contains warm orange tones, which are the opposite of blue on the color wheel – making them complementary colors. This pairing will give off a balanced, harmonious aesthetic. Play into fall textures with this color combo, too – think classic denim, crisp cotton button-downs, rich suede, and supple leather when you’re choosing your pieces.
4. Red & Black
boots | jeans | t-shirt | sweater | bag | earrings
If you love a dramatic, high-contrast pairing, then you should try styling red and black together this fall. This color combo is always the first that comes to mind when I think about attention-grabbing combos! It’s the opposite of soothing blue and brown, and full of energy. If you want to style a bold look, these are the colors to pair with each other this fall.
When you want an instant burst of energy and confidence, use your clothes to your advantage! After all, they can have a huge impact on our mood. And the best part is, you don’t have to go out and buy a striking black dress or a bold red lipstick to get the effect – a red sweater, black jeans, and a classic accessory or two will still do the trick.
5. Cream & Brown
shoes | pants | sweater | belt | coat | glasses
Now, back to another more soothing color combination! If you like the richer tones of chocolate brown or mocha mousse, pair them with lighter, brighter shades like ivory or cream. You get the coziness of brown set against the sophistication of ivory or cream. Just like you’d naturally pair coffee and milk together, brown and cream make for a perfect match.
If you like the effect of pairing black and white together in your outfits but those colors are a little too high-contrast for you, brown and ivory will give you a softer alternative. Bright whites are ideal for the summertime, but in the cooler months, ivory or cream gives you a gentler, warmer alternative. And just like navy is an alternative to black, brown is another great option.
6. Navy Blue & Camel
sweater | pants | bag | shoes | earrings
Now, back to navy blue! Just like light blue and chocolate brown, camel and navy bring out the best in each other. Camel is a warm, earthy color that grounds navy’s coolness. They’re complementary neutral colors, and give you a calming, chic look.
When it comes to styling navy and camel in the fall, lean into all of the traditional fall fabrics. Think suede ballet flats, a pair of corduroy pants, and a chunky cable knit sweater. A suede bag is the cherry on top!
7. Plum & Gray
skirt | sweater | bag | shoes | earrings
If you have a decadent palette and love curling up with a piece of dark chocolate and a glass of Shiraz on a chilly fall night, you’ll love this color combination. First, start with a shade in the purple family. Purples have historically been associated with royalty, luxury, and ambition. This is another great shade to wear if you’re looking for a confidence boost and you love that old-money aesthetic.
Meanwhile, gray is a color that helps balance deep purple’s intensity. Gray’s neutral shade helps to keep purple from overwhelming you, and makes plum feel more grounded. The result is sophisticated elegance that still doesn’t feel like too much for a casual fall outfit. This is another great pairing to style for work as well, thanks to its elegant look.
8. Dark Green & Brown
boots | jeans | bag | sweater | jacket | earrings
If you prefer a more casual look than deep purple and gray, try sticking to naturally occurring shades like we talked about earlier. For instance, you can’t get much more grounded and real than dark green and brown. This pairing instantly transports you to a calming walk through the woods, where tall trees tower over you under a canopy of green leaves.
Planning a trip to the apple orchard, or the pumpkin patch? Try this outfit combination to complement your surroundings. Go for layering staples like a thick turtleneck, dark-wash jeans, and a courduroy jacket. As for your accessories, add texture with a croc-embossed bag, leather boots, and a pair of gold crescent earrings. Simple, but oh so chic!
9. Gray & Burgundy
sneakers | socks | pants | bag | sweater | hat | earrings
Similar to plum, burgundy evokes those vibes of wealth, sophistication, and class. Warm burgundy pairs well with cool gray, which offers a neutral, sleek offset to burgundy’s deeper hue. While this pairing also looks great for more elevated occasions, you can also adapt it for your casual fall outfits.
For a flattering monochromatic look, try styling gray wide-leg trousers with a v-neck gray sweater. Then add in pops of burgundy throughout your accessories. Sneakers keep your look feeling laidback, along with burgundy socks for an extra pop of color. A burgundy bag and a burgundy baseball cap complete the look that is the epitome of casual chic for autumn.
10. Olive & Black
boots | skirt | sweater | bag | earrings
When it comes to dark, earthy neutrals, try pairing olive green and black together. Black gives you depth and elegance, while olive green adds a softer, warmer touch to your look. This pairing looks great in an urban setting for a cool, chic look.
If you love those effortlessly stylish city girl vibes, start your look with a black turtleneck. Then, add contrast below with a lighter, breezy satin skirt in olive green. It helps to balance out the heaviness of the thick knit on top. Add texture with your accessories – knee-high boots give you added coverage in the cool fall weather, while a suede shoulder bag is the perfect size for all of your necessities, especially if you’re heading out for the night.
Matches Made in Style Heaven
These fall color trends aren’t just fleeting fads – although many of these shades do happen to be trending, they’re also classic fall color combos that will work year after year. If you want to instantly infuse your look with the feelings of fall, these color combinations are the way to do it!
Speaking of matches made in fall style heaven, preppy looks and fall go hand-in-hand! Up Next: 10 Preppy Outfit Ideas That Scream Fall
