Best Color Trends by Seasonal Color Palette Autumn/Winter 2023
Color trends for autumn and winter add a little brightness to this darker, moodier time of year. They can reflect the mood of the season or offer a little escape.
Every year Pantone puts out a list of color trends for Autumn/Winter. These are the colors that they predict will be seen most often in fashion.
It’s fun to participate in trends, but not at the expense of looking like a fashion victim. If you wear colors that don’t suit you, you can look older, more tired, or just out of harmony.
However, if you wear colors that suit you, you can look refreshed, younger, and more like yourself. How can you know which colors will suit you best? The first step is learning your seasonal color analysis!
What is seasonal color analysis?
Seasonal color analysis is a system based on color theory that looks at someone’s undertone, intensity, and value. There are 10 different palettes in the system that I use. Each one is a unique combination of undertone, intensity, and value and is meant to match that of the individual.
Wearing colors that have harmony with you is one of the most powerful things you can do for your style because you cut out the noise and only wear colors that suit you.
If you know your palette and are curious which colors from the Pantone list of Autumn/Winter 2023 colors will suit you best, scroll to your palette. If you aren’t sure, read through all the descriptions to learn more. AND if you want to book a color analysis with me, click HERE for more info!
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True Autumn
The true autumn palette boasts a warm undertone, medium to low intensity, and medium to dark value. Known for their enchanting warm golden glow, individuals within this palette often feature brown eyes and brown or red hair, consistently embodying a warm undertone.
For autumn/winter 2023, "Red Orange" emerges as the perfect trending shade for true autumns. This hue exudes warmth and spice, complementing the true autumn palette beautifully.
This color makes a bold statement, so consider wearing it in accessories like a handbag or a pair of loafers to elevate an all-neutral outfit in your favorite shades of brown. If you typically lean towards neutrals but want to experiment with a vibrant color like red orange, a cashmere sweater provides an excellent starting point. Alternatively, embrace this striking shade as a statement piece, such as a coat, for those who appreciate bold and dramatic fashion choices, as it will undoubtedly enhance their overall look.
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Muted or Soft Palette
The muted palette gracefully blends elements from both true autumn and true summer, characterized by a more neutral undertone and medium value. The defining feature of this palette is its subdued intensity, with all colors exhibiting a gentle, soft quality often tinged with a touch of grey.
Individuals within the muted palette exude a distinct softness in their appearance, often marked by a lack of pronounced contrast in their features. Each person will have a designated home season, either autumn or summer, influencing their inclination toward warmer or cooler colors.
For autumn/winter 2023, the enchanting "Gently Peach" emerges as a beautiful, soft shade that perfectly complements the muted palette. It particularly shines on individuals with a muted autumn undertone (muted summers will lean towards a hue closer to pink). This versatile pseudo-neutral can be a worthwhile investment, suitable for items like a coat that effortlessly pairs with various pieces in your wardrobe. Additionally, this shade adds a touch of charm when incorporated into accessories like a handbag or a pair of sneakers.
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True Summer
The true summer palette features a distinct cool undertone, with colors ranging from medium to low intensity and values spanning from low to medium. These hues are unmistakably cool, softened by the addition of subtle gray undertones.
True summers possess a unique smoky quality in their appearance, thanks to their medium to low-intensity colors. While many have blue eyes, it's not a universal trait, and they often sport cool-toned brown or ash blonde hair. Some even exhibit the coveted "English Rose" look, though many have the ability to tan easily.
For true summers, "Silver Birch" emerges as the perfect color trend for autumn/winter 2023. This neutral shade is an ideal neutral, making it an opportune moment to invest in a blazer or winter coat, given its current popularity.
Try embracing a tonal look by wearing this shade from head to toe, whether in a cozy sweater paired with wool trousers for a classic look or as an unexpected choice for leather goods like a bag or ballet flats, showcasing the versatility of Silver Birch in your wardrobe.
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Light Palette
The light palette revolves around colors characterized by their light value. Each hue within this palette is imbued with a touch of white, creating a delightful candy-coated and feminine aesthetic.
Sitting between spring and summer, the light palette leans towards neutrality, but individuals often exhibit a preference for slightly warmer or cooler colors based on their home season. These individuals are easily distinguished by their fair features, often featuring light blue or green eyes, and many are natural blondes or were blondes as children.
Within this palette, "Persian Jewel" stands out as a Pantone color trend for A/W 2023. This shade, with its neutral undertone and a blend of blue and purple, offers versatile styling options. It can be used as the base for a floral print on a dress or as a simple, feminine sweater tucked into a pair of jeans. Moreover, you can discover exquisite natural stone jewelry in this color, making a stunning statement when stacked as 3-4 bracelets.
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True Spring
True springs radiate a warm and luminous aura, characterized by a warm undertone, medium to light value, and moderate intensity. Their palettes exude a delightful freshness, with all colors reflecting a light, warm, and joyful essence.
For true springs, "Kohlrabi" emerges as the ideal autumn/winter 2023 color, bestowing a radiant glow that beautifully complements their youthful appearance. This bright and warm hue can serve as a striking statement outfit when worn head-to-toe or as a vibrant pop of color in the form of pretty flats.
Moreover, Kohlrabi brings a playful touch as a handbag or jacket in an otherwise neutral ensemble. Consider pairing it with an ivory sweater and jeans for a classic look with a delightful twist, showcasing the timeless elegance of true spring's warm and joyful palette.
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Bright Palette
The bright palette effortlessly bridges the gap between winter and spring, and it's distinguished by the remarkable intensity of its colors. In this palette, each shade exudes unparalleled brightness and vibrancy, free from any hint of gray.
While these colors tend to be more neutral, individuals within this palette will have a specific home season (either winter or spring), which may lean slightly toward cool or warm tones. The versatility of these colors allows for both very dark and very light variations, and they truly shine when combined in high-contrast ensembles.
One standout shade for the bright palette is "Carnival Glass," a neutral yet vivid green that perfectly complements its vibrant nature. Whether worn casually as a denim jacket or dressed up in a mint-accented dress, this color radiates charm.
Carnival glass also makes a striking statement in prints, especially when paired with other blues and pinks. For a more subtle approach, consider incorporating it as a shoe or a piece of jewelry, effortlessly elevating a white shirt and denim ensemble.
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True Winter
The true winter palette is defined by its cool and bold nature. It boasts a strikingly bright appearance with medium to high intensity, and its colors possess a captivating depth. These shades are characterized by their icy, cool, and attention-grabbing qualities, causing heads to turn when a true winter enters a room.
All the colors in this palette feature a cool undertone, which means warm hues are best avoided. "Rose Violet," a Pantone autumn/winter color, perfectly complements the true winter palette with its sophisticated and cool allure.
For a chic look, consider pairing rose violet with navy and white as accents. Picture a white blouse, navy pants, and a rose violet blazer or sweater. It also makes for a fabulous pop of color in accessories.
For those who dare to be bold, consider donning it from head to toe in a dress and matching it with metallic silver shoes. Embracing this striking color can truly make a statement!
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Deep Palette
The deep palette represents a seamless blend of winter and autumn hues, characterized by neutral undertones. However, individuals within this palette will lean more towards either winter or autumn based on their undertone.
The defining feature of this palette is the depth evident in all its colors. Individuals in this category typically exhibit a considerable depth in their hair and eye color, often accompanied by medium to high contrast in their facial features.
One standout shade in the deep palette is "Red Dahlia," a sensually moody color perfect for autumn and winter seasons. This rich and inviting hue can be elegantly embraced in various ways, from donning it head to toe in a cozy sweater dress to using it as a grounding color in a stylish print.
Additionally, it offers an unexpected and incredibly opulent touch when incorporated into a pair of suede boots, adding a layer of richness to any ensemble.
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Warm Palette
The warm palette represents a harmonious fusion of spring and autumn shades. Individuals belonging to this palette exude a distinctive warmth in their appearance. The depth and intensity of their colors typically determine whether they lean towards spring or autumn as their home season.
For those in the warm palette, it's crucial to embrace warm-toned colors and metals like yellow gold, as cool hues can have an unfavorable effect on their overall look. A standout warm color is "High Visibility Yellow," slightly less toasted than mustard but imbued with a delightful warmth that suits them perfectly.
This hue shines brilliantly in various fashion choices, from patterned pants to statement pieces like wool coats. It can also be incorporated in subtle doses, such as acrylic earrings or accentuating a stylish pair of sneakers. Embracing these warm tones will undoubtedly enhance your style and radiate your innate warmth.
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Cool Palette
The cool palette seamlessly bridges the gap between the winter and summer spectrums. Those who resonate with this palette exude a refreshing, cool essence. To enhance their appearance, it's essential for them to exclusively embrace cool-toned colors and metals like silver or platinum, as veering away may lead to an unflattering look.
The depth and intensity within this palette determine their home season, be it winter or summer. Generally, these colors can range from the soft, understated elegance of summer hues to the vibrant, crisp allure of winter tones, all while maintaining a consistently cool undertone.
An exquisite example within this cool palette is "Viva Magenta," a deep, pinkish-red shade that radiates festivity and opulence. This captivating color truly comes to life in textured fabrics such as velvet, suede, or satin. Whether you opt for a cozy sweater or embrace it fully with a stunning holiday dress, Viva Magenta is an absolute showstopper.
For a striking ensemble, consider pairing it with shades of grey or pearl white. Silver accessories will elevate this color to stunning new heights, enhancing your overall look.
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