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Considering the spectacular light show the trees put on for us, it’s a little ironic that fall is historically the season we retreat into all-black and gray ensembles. The bright color trends we so willingly embrace all summer dial back into a more muted palette…well, until now.
This year designers from Chloé to Valentino to Celine kept the vibrancy up in their fall and winter collections. There were a few familiar seasonal hues on the runway, including brown and navy, but also several surprising newcomers that mix surprisingly well with a more traditional autumnal color palette.
It’s going to be a season of colors, cozy textures, and romance
I hope you’ve accepted tomato red as a neutral. Because for the fourth year in a row, the poppy shade has remained relevant and a favorite among stylish insiders. But rumor has it purple is scheming for red’s favored position, and fall offers a cool (and slightly spooky) backdrop that’s perfect for the hue to creep into our hearts. On the other side of the spectrum, pink and cream add a drizzle of light into the rapidly darkening evenings. Think strawberry cashmere crewnecks with white denim, or rose-colored sneakerinas paired with cream turtlenecks.
All the 2026 fall color trends to try and love, below.
The biggest fall 2026 color trends, at a glance
1. Tomato red
Despite its position on a traffic light, red is showing no signs of stopping this fall. A statement piece in the hue remains a favorite styling trick among people looking to add an extra editorial touch to their looks. Whether you wear it on its own or use it to accent a near-complete outfit via a shoe or sock, there’s no denying its gravitational pull on the gaze.
Pairs well with: Black, taupe, cream, navy
Wear instead of: Burgundy; despite the brighter hue, tomato carries the same warmth as its earthier counterpart.
Styling tip: If an all-red outfit is a little intense for your usual style, try incorporating the color in the form of trendy sneakers, a tank top layered underneath a blazer, or a sweater tied around the shoulders.
Read more on the red trend:
If you loved them in 2013, you’ll be so excited to see what they can do now.
2. Midnight navy
I say midnight navy—rather than midnight blue—because there are no feelings of sorrow associated with these fall styles. Navy has a certain prep to it that feels on par with back-to-school season and equestrian activities, and the moody shade feels cool and calm while adding a touch of maturity to your look.
Pairs well with: Cream, gold, red, pink
Wear instead of: Black
Styling tip: For a fall-forward look, style it with lighter shades of blue, cream, or brown. Incorporating splashes of red gives it a bit of a nautical appeal too.
Read more on the midnight navy trend:
We’re styling navy in ways that don’t feel nautical this fall.
3. Chocolate brown
Chocolate brown is a forever fall classic—as reliable as the cozy knits you slip into each year—but it has taken on a new life this season. It seems no outfit is complete this autumn without at least one piece in the hue. But no matter how you style it, whether it’s with a trench coat, wide-leg cream jeans, or a maxiskirt, it never fails to add visual warmth to your outfit. If you want to wear it in its 2026 iteration, style it directly with one of the tomato-red pieces we linked above.
Pairs well with: Red, lavender, orange, ivory
Wear instead of: Khaki; brown’s deep contrast offers a calmer, moodier take on your fall looks.
Styling tip: Combine multiple fall style trends into one by opting for riding boots and funnel-neck jackets. To keep things from looking too monotone, try mixing in other color trends like red and purple. Or, dive all the way in with an all-brown outfit.
Read more on the chocolate brown trend:
4. Pink & cream
Some of this year’s biggest pop-culture offerings were all about romance, which is why I wasn’t surprised to see lots of strawberries and cream on the fall-winter runways. At Valentino, soft pink blouses were styled with royal purple skirts. At Chloé, we watched the whole spectrum of pink put on display—blush turned into dusty rose before transitioning into baby purple. They were frequently styled with 2026’s Pantone color of the year: Cloud Dancer (in other words, cream).
Pairs well with: Blue jeans, brown
Wear instead of: Burgundy; pink is both soft and strong and can easily replace your burgundy pieces this fall.
Styling tip: Texture matters here. Opt for either silk or cashmere pieces to maintain the richness present in this color.
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Learn more about the pink and cream color trend:
From powdery pink to the deepest strawberry red, with shades of cream in between
5. Royal purple
From purple gloves, bags, and coats at Celine to dresses at Tory Burch and two-piece suits at Loewe, designers across the board seem to agree that purple is the new It color in fashion. Its association with royalty comes from its hard-to-source dye back in the day, which meant it was reserved for the affluent. In 2026 that translates to a certain richness and an air of self-assurance when worn.
Pairs well with: Black, cream, red
Wear instead of: Red
Styling tip: Start by introducing purple accents to your look. A playful purple scarf or gloves will feel easier to integrate into your fall wardrobe than, say, purple pants.
Read more about the purple color trend:
Five unexpected shades that go best with fall’s biggest color trend
