Something I hear a lot as a colour analyst is:
“I LOVE fall colours but they don’t look good on me.”
I get it - fall is my favourite season and I love the vibe of the clothing during this time.
The Autumn palettes (True Autumn, Dark Autumn, Soft Autumn) already have warm, earthy shades that naturally feel like fall. But what about everyone else? The good news: you don’t have to miss out. Every season has colour pairings that can give you that cozy fall vibe — it just comes down to choosing the right shades and styling them in seasonal textures.
Here’s how to do fall in a way that still stays true to your palette.
🍂 Summer Palettes: Muted & Layered
True Summer
- Dusty Rose + Cool Navy
- Cool Grey on top + Burgundy on bottom
Why it works: Summers are cool and soft, so pairing dusty, muted shades with deeper accents creates depth without overwhelming. Think a dusty rose jacket or cardigan layered over a navy sweater dress, or a chunky knit grey sweater paired with a suede burgundy mini skirt.
Soft Summer
- Mushroom Taupe + Denim Blue
- Sage Green + Navy Denim
Why it works: This palette thrives in blended, gentle tones. A cool taupe tshirt dress and a denim jacket give that flannel-weather feel, while sage green adds an earthy, understated nod to fall. Perfect for cozy cardigans, casual denim, and layered scarves.
Light Summer
- Light Taupe + Light Emerald Green
- Powder Blue + Medium Grey
Why it works: Lighter Summers don’t need heavy shades to feel seasonal. Ground your airy colours with medium grey or taupe, and add freshness with light emerald or powder blue. The tip here is to think of fall styles and textures - like a light taupe trench coat or medium grey denim.
Guideline for Summers: Lean on cool neutrals (grey, taupe, denim) as anchors and add in soft berries, sage, or muted blues. Fabrics like knit, brushed cotton, and denim keep the vibe autumnal.
🌼 Spring Palettes: Warmth with Energy
True Spring
- Coral + Warm Tan
- Deep Golden Yellow + Denim Blue
Why it works: Springs bring warmth and vibrancy. Coral and tan look fresh but still autumn-ready in suede or knits, while golden yellow and denim is a cheerful take on cozy layering.
Light Spring
- Orchid + Taupe Khaki
- Ivory + Deep Golden Yellow
Why it works: Light Spring can feel washed out in heavy fall shades, so pairing orchid with khaki or ivory with golden yellow adds brightness while grounding with neutral bases. Think ivory sweaters, golden scarves, and tan ankle boots.
Bright Spring
- Hunter Green + Chocolate Brown
- Dandelion Yellow + Vibrant Navy
Why it works: Brights can still do fall — the trick is to ground one pop colour with a strong neutral. Hunter green with brown feels earthy but still clear, while dandelion and navy make a bold, cheerful pairing for autumn days.
Guideline for Springs: Build around warm tans, camels, and browns, then add pops of coral, yellow, or green. Use textured fabrics (knits, suede, wool blends) to make your palette feel fall-ready instead of springy.
❄️ Winter Palettes: Cool Contrast with Depth
True Winter
- Burgundy + Cool Charcoal
- Emerald + Cranberry
Why it works: Winters shine in high contrast. Burgundy and charcoal give a moody, seasonal vibe, while emerald and cranberry lean into jewel tones that feel festive but grounded.
Bright Winter
- Black + White Pattern
- Icy Grey + Vibrant Burgundy
Why it works: Patterns are a great way for Bright Winters to nod to fall without getting too heavy. Black-and-white houndstooth or plaid looks chic with textured coats. Pair icy grey with vibrant burgundy for a modern take on cozy layering.
Deep Winter
- Deep Olive + Dark Chocolate
- Plum + Charcoal
Why it works: Deep, cool shades feel luxe in fall fabrics. Olive with chocolate is a subtle nod to autumn’s earthiness, while plum and charcoal make a striking, polished combo in wool coats or leather accents.
Guideline for Winters: Focus on deep jewel tones and cool neutrals. Balance high contrast with fall textures like tweed, leather, and wool to make your colours feel seasonal rather than stark.
🍁 The Autumn Family: Naturally at Home
While every palette can channel fall, Autumns live here year-round, whether you're True Autumn, Soft Autumn or Deep Autumn. Warm, rich, and earthy tones like camel, terracotta, moss, taupe, and aubergine already echo the season.
Guideline for Autumns: Go all in on texture — chunky knits, suede boots, wool coats, and leather accents bring your palette to life. This is the season to shine for your palette!
The Takeaway
You don’t need to be an Autumn to enjoy fall colours.
- Summers: Muted layering with taupe, sage, berry, and denim.
- Springs: Warm neutrals with bright pops, anchored in fall textures.
- Winters: Jewel tones and contrast, grounded in deep cool neutrals.
- Autumns: Rich earth tones — the original fall palette.
Every palette has its own way of looking cozy, seasonal, and stylish. The trick is to honour your undertone while styling with fabrics, textures, and pairings that echo the mood of autumn.
