Autumn Type: The Colors That Suit the Warm Autumn Type

Warm, muted and earthy colors such as rust, mustard, olive, brown, cognac, cream, terracotta and petrol suit the autumn type. This is a guide, not a rule: what matters most is the colors you feel comfortable in.

Anyone who recognizes themselves in the autumn type usually asks two things: which colors belong to it, and what do I wear with them? This guide describes the typical characteristics, shows the palette, names colors that can look harsh and presents three outfits. How to work out your color season in the first place is explained in the guide Find Your Color Season: Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?.

How do you recognize the autumn type? Characteristics as a guide

The autumn type is considered warm, muted and deep. That means:

• Warm. The colors have a yellowish undertone. You usually like gold better than silver, and cream and ivory better than pure white.
• Muted. You prefer soft, earthy tones to bright, glaring colors. It looks as if a little brown or gray has been mixed in.
• Deep. Medium to dark tones such as chocolate brown, fir green or wine red are often a better fit than very light pastels.

The autumn type is often described with warm hair and eye colors, for example chestnut, copper or a warm brown and green. That is only a hint. The comparison in front of a mirror matters more: in daylight, hold a top in rust and one in fuchsia up in front of you. Which do you like better? If you choose rust, that points to the warm side.

Which colors suit the autumn type? The palette

The following tones are considered typical for the autumn type:

• Rust and terracotta. Reddish-brown tones that look earthy and warm.
• Mustard. A muted, warm yellow that works well as an accent with brown.
• Olive and khaki. Subdued greens that mix easily with earth tones.
• Brown and cognac. The base of the palette, from chocolate brown to warm cognac.
• Camel and cream. Light, warm neutrals as a calm counterpart.
• Petrol. A deep blue-green that gives the earth tones a cool contrast.

An autumn palette for everyone, regardless of color season, is in the guide Fall colors in outfits. This page is about the tones that belong to the warm, muted direction.

Clothing for the autumn type: examples from the shop

Here are a few pieces from this color range. They show what the tones can look like on clothing. This is not a fixed assignment.

Brown. The lightweight sweater in brown is a fine knit with a soft neckline. Brown is the base color of the palette and goes with camel, cream and khaki. You can find more choice in brown clothing.

Camel. The oversize cardigan in camel has a zip and a stand-up collar. Camel is a light, warm brown. How to combine it is shown in the guide Which color goes with camel?.

Rust. The long knit skirt in rust has an open-work knit pattern. Rust brings a reddish-brown accent into an otherwise calm outfit.

Burgundy. A deep wine red can suit the autumn type if it is warm and dark rather than cool and bluish. The lightweight sweater in burgundy is one example. You can find more pieces in this tone in burgundy clothing.

Three outfits for the autumn type

Each outfit gets by with two to three tones from the palette. One tone is the main color, the second complements it, the third is the accent.

• Outfit 1: brown and camel, tone on tone. The lightweight sweater in brown, with the knit skirt in camel. Both tones are close together, so the outfit stays calm. A belt or jewelry in gold works as an accent.
• Outfit 2: khaki with brown. The cozy cardigan in brown over a top in cream, with the cargo skirt in khaki. More ideas with this green are in the guide Which color goes with khaki?.
• Outfit 3: burgundy as an accent. The lightweight sweater in burgundy, with the knit skirt in camel. The dark wine red is the main color, camel softens the contrast.

More combinations with brown are shown in the guide Which color goes with brown?.

Which colors can look harsh on the autumn type?

Instead of “does not suit”, “can look harsh” is the more honest wording. The following tones often look cooler and harder in a fall setting:

• Pure black. Dark brown or charcoal with a warm undertone are softer.
• Pure white. Cream, ecru or ivory fit in more calmly.
• Neon and icy colors. Bright pink, ice blue or silver gray have a cool, clear character.

You do not have to give them up. Black often works better as pants or a skirt and further from the face. If you want to try it, you can find pieces in black in black clothing.

The autumn type in everyday life: trying out colors step by step

You do not have to replace your whole wardrobe. Usually one piece near the face is enough, such as a sweater or a scarf in rust, olive or cognac. Look in the mirror in daylight: if you like the piece and feel good in it, that is a good sign.

Start with one tone from the palette and add a second only afterwards. Pants, a skirt or shoes in brown, camel or khaki keep the rest calm, because these tones mix well with one another. This is not a fixed rule but a way to try things out.

Autumn type or another type?

Sometimes you recognize yourself in two types. The autumn type is related to spring, because both are warm. Spring is lighter and clearer, fall deeper and softer. Winter is further away: it is cool and high-contrast. If you are torn between types, choose the temperature first and then the clarity. The five questions for placing yourself are in the guide linked above on color seasons.

Matching items in the shop: brown cardigans and khaki clothing.

Common questions

Which colors suit the autumn type?

Warm, muted and earthy tones such as rust, mustard, olive, brown, cognac, camel, cream, terracotta and petrol. This is a guide, not an obligation.

Which colors do not suit the autumn type as well?

Pure black, pure white and neon or icy colors can look harsh. Warm variants such as dark brown and cream are often the softer choice.

Does black suit the autumn type?

It can work, but it often looks harder than dark brown. Try black first as pants or a skirt and keep tops near the face in brown, olive or cream.

Does gold or silver suit the autumn type?

Gold is considered the warm tone and usually fits the palette better. Copper and bronze also work well.

Can I wear several fall tones in one outfit?

Yes. Two to three tones from the palette go well together, for example brown, camel and khaki. One tone is the main color, another the accent.