A new season often brings a new set of colours, but that doesn’t mean you need to change the way you dress or fill your wardrobe with unfamiliar shades. Autumn colour is easiest to wear when you treat it as a simple update to the clothes you already know and love.
This year, warm earthy shades sit alongside rich burgundy, dependable navy, forest green and classic camel tones. They’re all colours that work particularly well with everyday wardrobe favourites such as black trousers, denim, grey knitwear and neutral shirts.
You don’t have to wear them from head to toe either. Adding just one new-season colour through a jumper, cardigan, pair of trousers or jacket is often all it takes to give a familiar outfit an autumn refresh.
Here’s how to make the key autumn 2026 colours work for you.
If you usually stick to familiar colours, there’s no need to suddenly dress in bright or bold shades just because a new season has arrived.
The easiest place to start is with one colourful piece that tastefully complements the rest of your outfit. A burgundy jumper can be worn with navy trousers, for example, while a forest green cardigan will sit comfortably alongside a white or cream shirt.
You can also introduce autumn shades through items you’d be buying for the cooler weather anyway. A new cardigan, pair of warmer trousers or casual jacket gives you the practical benefits you need for autumn while adding something fresh to your wardrobe.
The important thing is to choose colours you’ll enjoy wearing with pieces you already own.
Autumn is full of rich, easy-to-wear colours that can give familiar outfits a fresh seasonal feel. Here, we look at the key shades and simple ways to wear them this autumn season.
There’s something about rust, chestnut, brown and warm berry shades that immediately feels right for autumn. They echo the changing colours outdoors but are still easy to wear every day.
If you’re new to warmer shades, try wearing them on your top half. A rust or chestnut jumper can be paired with navy, charcoal or stone trousers, so you’ll only need to change one piece of your usual outfit.
For ladies, warm browns work particularly well with cream tops, navy knitwear and gold-toned accessories. A pair of brown trousers is an easy alternative to black and will still go with plenty of colours you already have.
For men, an earthy-coloured jumper over a cream or pale blue shirt gives a familiar smart-casual outfit a more seasonal feel.
Burgundy is a lovely way to add deeper colour as summer comes to an end. It feels warmer than bright red but still adds plenty of interest to an outfit.
It’s also easier to match than you might think. Burgundy works particularly well with navy, grey, black, stone and cream, so there’s a good chance you’ve already got several pieces to wear with it.
For ladies, try burgundy trousers with an ivory blouse and navy cardigan. If you’d rather keep the colour on your top half, a wine knit will look lovely with black or grey trousers.
For men, a burgundy jumper can be worn with navy or charcoal trousers for everyday wear. Add a pale blue or white shirt underneath if you’re heading out for lunch or meeting friends.
Navy might not feel like a new colour, but that’s exactly why it’s so useful. It works all year round and gives you a reliable base for some of autumn’s richer shades.
If you’re unsure about wearing burgundy, rust or green, simply pair them with navy. It’s softer than black but still looks smart, and it works equally well for trousers, jackets and knitwear.
For ladies, a navy cardigan can bring together patterned blouses, colourful tops and trousers in wine or brown. It’s also an easy layer to wear over a summer dress when the weather starts to cool.
For men, try a forest green or burgundy jumper with navy trousers. If your jumper is navy instead, introduce autumn colour through a checked shirt underneath.
Green is a natural fit for autumn, and deeper forest shades are particularly seasonal. They add colour without being too bold and work beautifully with navy, brown, camel, cream and grey. If you’re looking to add colour into a typically monochrome wardrobe, forest green is a good one to try. It’s subtle enough to feel familiar but still gives your outfit something different.
For ladies, green knitwear looks lovely with navy or black trousers. You can also pair softer green shades with cream and camel for a lighter autumn look.
For men, a forest green jumper with stone or navy trousers makes an easy everyday combination. A checked shirt underneath can add a little more interest without making the outfit feel too busy.
If brighter autumn colours aren’t for you, camel is a lovely way to give your wardrobe a seasonal update while keeping things neutral.
Sitting somewhere between beige, tan and warm brown, camel works well with black, navy, cream, burgundy and green. It’s especially useful for outerwear and knitwear because you can throw it over plenty of different outfits without worrying about clashing colours.
For ladies, a camel jacket or coat looks smart over navy trousers and a cream blouse. You could also add burgundy knitwear underneath for a little more colour.
For men, similar warm neutrals such as fawn, taupe and stonework well for knitwear and trousers.
One of the easiest ways to get more wear from seasonal colour is to build your outfit around familiar neutral pieces.
If you already have plenty of navy trousers, try adding a burgundy or forest green jumper. Black trousers can be brightened up with wine, camel or rust, while grey works particularly well with burgundy and navy.
Cream, ivory and white shirts are useful too because they give you a simple base underneath coloured knitwear.
You can think of it as a simple formula – one autumn colour, one or two familiar neutrals and comfortable footwear that works with the rest of your outfit.
That way, your wardrobe still feels like yours. You’re simply adding something new to it!
Try wine trousers with an ivory top and navy cardigan for an outfit that’s colourful without feeling too bold. You could also wear your usual black trousers with a green or damson knit for a simple seasonal update.
If you prefer lighter colours, try camel outerwear over a cream top and navy trousers. A scarf, handbag or piece of jewellery can bring in another shade if you’d like a little extra colour.
And remember, don’t pack away your summer favourites too quickly! A navy, green or burgundy cardigan can help a lighter blouse or dress work well into autumn.
For an easy everyday outfit, try a forest green V-neck jumper over a pale shirt with navy trousers. If you prefer warmer shades, swap the green for rust or chestnut and keep the rest of the outfit the same.
For a cooler day, a burgundy zip-up knit with charcoal trousers and a casual navy jacket gives you plenty of warmth while keeping the colours easy to wear.
If you’d rather stay more neutral, start with navy or stone knitwear and introduce autumn colour through a checked shirt underneath.
Trying a new season’s colours doesn’t have to mean changing your whole look. Choose one or two shades you like, team them with the reliable pieces already in your wardrobe and build from there.
Whether you’re drawn to rich burgundy, classic navy, earthy brown, comfortable forest green or neutral camel, Chums has plenty of easy-to-wear options to help you refresh your wardrobe for autumn 2026.
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