Fall 2025 color trends have started rolling in, and the industry treats them like a signal that it’s time to reinvent ourselves. New season, new palette, new you. In reality, most of us aren’t tossing last year’s sweaters just because Pantone crowned a new set of shades. My closet, and probably yours, doesn’t work that way.
Just last week, I held up a dusty plum scarf I’ve had for years and wondered if it still worked with my undertone… or if it just made me look like I’d missed a good night’s sleep. That little moment reminded me: trends come and go, but the colors that truly flatter us are the ones worth holding on to.
A First Look at Fall 2025 Color Trends
These colors are already showing up in stores, and I’ve had a chance to try a few in the dressing room. Some felt instantly wearable, others less so…but that’s the joy of experimenting.
Think of these shades as tools, not mandates. A few will ground your outfits, others add quiet interest, and the right ones can bring light to your face when you need it most.
If you’re unsure which colors will flatter you, the secret is your undertone. That’s why your friend’s fabulous oxblood coat may look perfect on her and terrible on you. If you’re not sure where you fall, you can read my simple guide on how to determine your undertone here.
Deep Teal: The New Navy?
Designers may be calling deep teal the new navy, but to me, it’s always been a favorite. It’s richer than navy, softer than black, and somehow looks polished without any effort.
I tried on Chico’s version…they’re calling it Darkest Spruce …and it reminded me why I keep coming back to this shade. It lights up my eyes, brightens my complexion, and slips easily into my wardrobe as a neutral.
Best for undertones: Stunning on cool and neutral skin (especially with blue or green eyes). Warm undertones can wear it too, as long as the teal has a warmer base rather than a cool, icy one.
Pair it with: Camel, ivory, soft gray, or chocolate brown for quiet polish. For extra depth, add a touch of copper.
Soft Olive: A Gentle Neutral
Soft olive is more muted than army green, which makes it less severe and more versatile. On the right woman, it adds a quiet sophistication and blends easily into a fall wardrobe.
Best for undertones: Warm and neutral undertones wear this shade beautifully because it echoes the golden tones in their skin. If your coloring is cool, soft olive is trickier. You may find it works better in trousers, outerwear, or a handbag rather than right under your face, and it looks best when paired with cooler shades like navy or charcoal.
Pair it with: Cream, camel, beige, navy, or deep burgundy. Gold jewelry emphasizes the warmth in the green and makes it look intentional.
Dusty Plum: Soft Drama
Dusty plum is a muted purple with a touch of gray that makes it more wearable than brighter shades of violet. It has enough depth to feel elegant, yet it’s soft enough not to overpower.
Best for undertones: This shade is especially flattering on cool and neutral undertones, where it can bring out natural rosiness in the skin. For warm undertones, look for versions with a hint of brown — those will feel richer and more harmonious.
Pair it with: Gray, navy, mushroom, or ivory for a subtle combination. If you prefer something bolder, try pairing it with oxblood or teal for a deeper fall palette.
Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown continues to trend for fall, and it’s a versatile alternative to black. It adds warmth, depth, and pairs beautifully with many of this season’s colors. Think boots, handbags, or a knit sweater for an easy update.
Best for undertones: Chocolate brown is most flattering on warm and neutral undertones, where its richness complements golden or peachy skin. If you have cool undertones, look for browns with a cooler base…more espresso than caramel. These versions will harmonize better with your coloring and avoid looking too heavy.
Pair it with: Teal, camel, ivory, copper, or dusty pink. Wearing different shades of brown together, especially when textures vary, feels modern and chic.
Oxblood: Burgundy With Depth
Yes, it’s basically a deep, moody burgundy, but calling it oxblood makes it sound more glamorous in the fashion world 😉. It’s dramatic without being loud, and in the right undertone, it can be striking near the face or in statement pieces like coats and handbags.
Cool undertones: Oxblood is especially flattering because of its blue-red base. It brings brightness to the skin and works beautifully in tops, scarves, or lipstick.
Neutral undertones: Also a strong match, especially when paired with cool neutrals like gray or navy.
Warm undertones: This shade is more challenging. The blue base can feel harsh, but it can still work in accessories, bottoms, or handbags, especially when balanced with warm companions like camel or ivory.
Pair it with: Navy, gray, camel, mushroom, or even chocolate brown. It also looks striking next to dusty plum or teal for a deeper fall palette.
Mushroom Gray: The Quiet Neutral
Mushroom gray is a soft taupe that sits somewhere between gray and brown, often with the faintest hint of mauve…and is one of my very favorite colors. It doesn’t shout for attention, but that’s what makes it so wearable. Depending on what you pair it with, it can lean warmer or cooler.
Best for undertones: Works across undertones, though in different ways. Cool undertones wear it best with icy blue, gray, or dusty plum. Warm undertones may find it more flattering alongside camel, cream, or warm browns, so it doesn’t look dull.
Pair it with: Icy blue, dusty plum, teal, camel, or burgundy. It’s one of those shades that quietly supports the rest of your wardrobe.
Burnished Copper: Warm and Rich
Burnished copper is a warm, golden brown with an orange undertone, the kind of color that often appears in suede shoes, handbags, and jackets each fall. It’s bold, so it tends to work best in smaller doses or statement pieces rather than head-to-toe.
Best for undertones: Flattering on warm and neutral undertones, where it echoes golden skin tones. For cool undertones, it can feel brassy or overpowering near the face, but it works well in accessories or as a contrast piece with cooler neutrals.
Pair it with: Camel, chocolate brown, navy, ivory, or mushroom gray. On warm undertones, it looks especially fresh with cream.
Icy Blue
Icy blue isn’t a typical fall shade, but that’s what makes it interesting. It adds lightness to darker autumn palettes and feels fresh against heavier fabrics like wool and cashmere.
Best for undertones: This color is ideal for cool undertones, where its blue base brings clarity to the skin. Neutral undertones can also wear it easily. For warm undertones, icy blue can look stark on its own — it’s more flattering when paired with ivory or camel to soften the contrast.
Pair it with: Charcoal, navy, camel, mushroom gray, or dusty plum. It also enhances silver jewelry, making it look more intentional.
Building a Fall 2025 Color Palette
The easiest way to keep your wardrobe feeling cohesive is to pick just two or three of this year’s trending shades and build them around the neutrals you already own. That way, you’re not starting over — you’re simply giving what you have a fresh boost.
When you narrow your palette, shopping becomes simpler and more intentional. A single scarf, sweater, or handbag in the right color can make everything else in your closet feel updated — no overhaul required.
If you’re unsure which shades to try, start with your undertone. Once you know whether you’re warm, cool, or neutral, the best colors reveal themselves, and every new piece feels like it belongs.
Why This Matters
Color trends come and go, but choosing shades that flatter your undertone means every piece you add actually works for you. Instead of chasing what’s “in,” you’re building a wardrobe that feels cohesive, modern, and personal. That’s how style becomes less about rules and more about confidence.
Have you noticed certain fall colors brighten your complexion while others seem to dull it? Which of these 2025 shades do you think will work best with your undertone?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.