When you think about autumn colours, which shades come to mind? Chances are, in your mind right now, flashes of oxblood, navy, forest green and brown appear before you. And you're right. The colder months are traditionally synonymous with darker hues, but that doesn't mean you should relegate all of your bold, standout pieces to the back of your wardrobe until next April. In fact, the autumn/winter 2021 runways insist you don't.
Super-bright shades were evident in the collections of top designers, including Versace, Ferragamo, Raf Simons, Bottega Veneta, and Prada. All of them having reimagined colours most commonly associated with summer for the season ahead—a continuation from the joyful dressing movement which was sparked earlier in the year.
"The benefits of dopamine dressing have been bandied around the fashion crowd for some time. Colour psychologist Karen Haller told me at the beginning of 2020 that wearing certain colours can lift our spirits and boost our moods, causing physiological changes within us," explains social media and fashion editor Zoe Anastasiou in our bumper trend report.
So it makes perfect sense that we want to continue to dress for the mood we want to be in as we head into the darker winter months. But how can you integrate these positive palettes into your existing autumn wardrobe? We have a few suggestions.
Scroll on to see our ultimate guide on how to wear colour in autumn, which will, in turn, offer your grey tracksuit some reprieve.
STANDOUT COVER-UPS
A brightly coloured coat will instantly breathe new life into any outfit you wear it with, allowing you to dress more colourfully without having to give it a second thought.
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BOLD TROUSERS
Colourful trousers have been something of a power buy this year, and there's plenty of them still to choose from.
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JUICY JEWELLERY
If you want to subtly nod to this season's colour trends, you can do so with a beautiful selection of jewellery. Bea Bongiasca eclectic creations have been some of the most in-demand of 2021.
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HERO KNITS
One of the simplest ways to carry over your favourite summer colours into autumn is by way of a rainbow knit. Simply tuck into your go-to jeans.
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BRIGHT BOOTS
Okay, so they might not be quite as versatile as black or tan, but brightly coloured boots are going to be big news this autumn, and present an easy way to add some statement tones into your looks.
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SATURATED DRESSES
Tick off two trends in one by investing in an autumn-ready knitted dress in an unapologetically bold shade. You'll find options to suit in both the high-end and high-street shopping circuits.
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SOMETHING LEATHER
Leather always makes a huge comeback for autumn, and we couldn't help but notice just how many of these toasty pieces now come in juicy shades.
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ZINGY ARM CANDY
Give any outfit a final colourful flourish with the addition of a bright handbag. Bottega Veneta's styles are still crazy popular, but fashion types are also loving JW Pei's frugal yet chic styles.
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TOE-TO-TOE
Have an affinity for a particular shade? Why not wear it top-to-toe? Make like Nina and pair a set of statement trousers with a top in a similar tone.
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Next: I'm a Jumper Hoarder, But I Would Make Room for These 23 in My Wardrobe