The autumn fashion season: How to maximise the colour palette and embrace it this transitional season.

After a bright and colourful summer, with the crisp and fresh air urging us all to layer up, there have been a few standout colours that Vogue, Glamour and Harrods have something to say about. So how can we embrace them into our style?

Starting with Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year: chocolate mousse. This light, creamy brown falls under the prototypical autumn colour palette of dark warm hues. Whether it’s a chocolate mousse trench or a cross-body bag, this is a colour you can use as you layer or embellish your outfit. Think white long-sleeved polo neck, chocolate mousse V-neck sleeveless sweater vest with a satin or corduroy skirt paired with (as per the sandwich method) a pair of knee-high chocolate brown boots. Find ways to use the colour to suit you and your wardrobe style.

On textures, satin, knits, and corduroy are a few transitional and warm-keeping materials you can work with when dressing up

Next up is a wildcard (at least by my standards) by way of tomato red. British Vogue are calling it “condiment core” as we pick out the mustard yellows, but I think it applies to this bold colour. Now, most people think the darker end of the spectrum is where we should pick from in autumn, but if you loved the neons of the summer, then you’ll love this brighter option. Tomato red can occasionally be seen in the sea of leaves that adorn the pavements, so why not add it to your style inspiration? Whether it’s a red lip, nails if you want to be more subtle but still adventurous, or even a bag, scarf, or skirt. You could dress it up or harmonise the use of the colour to suit your style essence. Also, play with patterns like plaid or bursts of tomato red on trousers or dresses. It’s definitely a stark contrast to the darker tones and neutrals we usually see, but if you’re bubbly and have a big, confident personality, why not show it off with this pop of colour?

A classic, unwavering transitional colour: the berry-wine (think Clinique’s Black Honey range) in fashion form has been a staple on recent autumn runways. In fact, you could pair a berry lip with a blouse, some flared trousers or jeans, and berry-toned shoes. I will say, trousers and shoes often get neglected when playing with colour in our everyday styling, so don’t overlook dressing in colour from head to toe. One-piece outfits, such as dresses, jumpsuits, or coordinating sets, as well as tights, can be a fun way to add this jewel-toned flair to your fashion. On textures, satin, knits, and corduroy are a few transitional and warm-keeping materials you can work with when dressing up.

If you do, however, love your neutrals, navies, and more capsule pieces, don’t worry they aren’t going anywhere

The final colour that took the runways and is set to dominate this season as the year wraps up is parma violet purple. A rich, luxurious purple that can, again, be maximised or used as a way to add colour or accessorise an outfit, be it monochromatic or otherwise. If not a satin dress that struts the runway, how about a silk scarf or a headband, maybe some earrings with purple stones to make more of a statement? Like tomato red, it’s a lot bolder than the dark reds, rusty oranges, and forest greens, but that’s not to say warmer, cooler or darker tones of parma violet couldn’t make their way into your wardrobe.

If you do, however, love your neutrals, navies, and more capsule pieces, don’t worry they aren’t going anywhere. Maybe be more daring with how you wear them. You have your greys, khakis, beiges, to name a few, I haven’t already, but why not expand the spectrum you pick from? You could wear a dynamic monochromatic outfit that experiments with textures and dimension as you incorporate different shades and materials of one colour in your outfit. These are your reliable colours, so maybe you could use them to mix and match some of the intimidating colours that have been previously discussed.