Words by Sophia Miller
Anyone familiar with Miranda Priestly’s iconic ‘cerulean’ monologue in The Devil Wears Prada will understand that the significance of colour goes far beyond the aesthetic. Long before they filter down to our wardrobes, the shades spotted on the runways offer a snapshot of a political, social and cultural moment in time.
So, 20 years (and one sequel) later, what does the palette of Autumn/Winter 2026 say? From rich burgundy red and cocoa brown to icy blue – via the new iteration of butter yellow – fashion’s trending colours speak to the new season’s focus on forward-thinking innovation while keeping one eye on the past. Want in? Keep reading to find out more about the hues we predict will define the industry in the months to come.
Butter yellow has dominated conversations on colour of late – but this season, designers have turned down the dial slightly. Instead of an overt yellow, a creamy, lemon-tinged shade of ivory (we’re calling it wax paper) was seen at the likes of Erdem and Jil Sander. More subtle, and arguably more flattering, than its brighter equivalent, this is the new entry for fashion’s favourite colour.
On the runways, the creamy shade was grounded with black for a look that swings more cool girl than candy bar. Brown is an equally smart pairing for autumn, bringing the overall palette to the warmer side of the spectrum, while a simple white T-shirt never goes amiss if you’re looking for a lighter, brighter vibe.
Blue of all iterations was a popular choice at the AW26 shows, with everything from peacock to teal making an appearance. Our favourite, though? A pale icy shade. It's the good kind of unexpected when pitted against autumn’s darker, more sombre colours, and it brings a sense of freshness and optimism to looks – plus it’s easy to style, too.
Once again, designers from Chemena Kamali at Chloé to Gabriela Hearst used black to ground the pastel tones of icy blue – an easy trick to try at home. Otherwise, a full look is very achievable when light-wash denim falls within the same palette. If you’d rather approach with caution, accessories from the likes of Bottega Veneta and Victoria Beckham are up for consideration.
For all this season’s airiness, it would be hard to write an autumn trend report without mentioning the darker, moodier colours that fashion naturally tends to favour every year. Once again deep, rich shades of red were seen all over the runways – CHANEL, Gabriela Hearst and Balenciaga were just some of the designers petitioning for the LBD to take on a new meaning (little burgundy dress, anyone?). Alaïa’s velvet suit was another standout, teaming rich colour and texture in a way that was knowing rather than cliché.
Berry red and pink was a combo seen at Erdem, CHANEL and Prada – both are in the same warm-toned arena, so the colours play off each other in the best of ways. Otherwise, brown and burgundy are natural playmates when it comes to a more classically autumnal vibe – try a red knit with a pair of tailored trousers.
Mocha Mousse was Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2025, and nearly two years later, fashion’s brown obsession shows no signs of waning. For AW26, the trend matured from creamy caramel and boho-style tan suede to a deeper, darker iteration – think a cocoa content of at least 70 per cent. Appearing across everything from evening dresses to trouser suits, this chic, warm-toned neutral is here to stay.
You might have dipped your toe into the brown trend a few seasons ago with a bag or pair of boots, but now these chocolatey hues are ready to go head-to-toe – this De La Vali satin gown is an elegant example. Otherwise, lean into the gourmand mood by teaming deep shades of hot cocoa with cream, or go a shade darker with black, a once-taboo pairing that was seen at the likes of Acne Studios and TOM FORD.
From leopard to checks, these are the prints that our editors predict will be everywhere this autumn.
More-is-more colour, embellishment and sparkle are trending – so why not extend the mood to your jewellery box? Here are five key gemstones to consider.
