Fall For Color

That retail season known as “pre-fall” (already beginning to trickle into stores) is when I typically spend the lion’s share of my clothing dollars. Part of the reason is because the lighter weight and layer-able pieces work almost year round here in Southern California. But mostly, it’s the colors that draw me in. Despite having been evaluated as a “Light Summer” in the 12-season Sci-Art system, the colors that still appeal most to me (other than my go-to neutrals) are those early autumn tones. Taking my inspiration from the picture above, snapped in early October in Jardin de Luxembourg a few years ago, here are some colors from Nature’s autumn palette…

Eileen Fisher ballet neck tee in “Leaf”

NYDJ Sheri Skinny “Caramel”
J.Crew Ryder short boot
Helmut Lang ribbed sleeve sweater

I’m not usually into jewel tones. But the burgundy sweater above and the amethyst pieces below have enough “earth” in them to feel right. After Spring and Summer’s bright and neon colors, this palette feels very subtle and sophisticated.

NYDJ Sheri Skinny “Aubergine”
Tod’s D-Styling Bauletto

The great thing about these colors is how they work together. You could wear almost any of these individual pieces with any others, and still have a harmonious, pulled together look.

Helmut Lang silk/alpaca sweater
NYDJ Coated Sheri skinny “Ganache”
J.Crew Toni tassel loafers
NYDJ Sheri skinny “Tarragon”

Clarks Desert Boot
J.Crew Brompton Hobo

What about you? Do Fall colors speak to you, or is another season your favorite?
~

All original content property of https://unefemmenet.wpengine.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.

Stay in touch

Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.

Affiliate links in posts may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See my complete disclosure policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

25 Comments

  1. I like the colours in nature but not really on me, but I do love autumn, both for the change in the leaves and all of the cosy clothes – now winter is different I loathe it, it’s impossible to look good in winter.

  2. So interesting, Une Femme – I’ve been color typed a “summer” as well, but the colors you’re showing here are truly my best, esp olive and burgundy. Both purses are fabulous, and of course the short boots — I always seem to want one more pair of those!

  3. I love autumn and after this sizzling summer I can’t wait for its gorgeous arrival. Last year, the colors were breathtaking, but I’m not sure if the current drought will impact this year’s color “production”. I’ll be headed up towards the Upper Peninsula (Michigan) in late August. Usually, that part of the country has an earlier autumn.

    Butterscotch is my “new” favorite color for autumn. I can team it with deep greens and navy. Also, the burgundy colors are so beautiful. I may pick up a sweater or top once my budget recovers from the new boots I pre-ordered from Italy. I only make a few purchases each season at the beginning, and like you, I spend the lion share of my budget right now. This year’s focus has been shoes and boots. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale allowed me to pick up those Eileen Fisher Ponte Knit pants you highlighted and the NYMJ leggings. Love both!

  4. When I was younger, I probably would have been a summer, dark hair, fair skin with freckles. But as I aged and and my hair turned grey, I decided to go blonde. I have no idea what type I would now be. I have always loved the colors of autumn and the items above are soft and rich. Would take a chance on any of them. And you are right. These colors play very well together.

  5. These are just gorgeous, and I think you’d look great in many of them. My only concern would be wearing too many of them at once, might be too heavy on you. Surpringly, the aubergine skinny jeans are my favorite:).

    1. LPC, that’s true. I definitely wouldn’t wear the burgundy+amethyst together myself (a taller woman might be able to pull it off). I love those aubergine jeans as well, and have been wearing them already during our cool-ish summer.

  6. I’m sure your choices are all fabulous, but I’m afraid I’ve quickly averted my eyes from the screen and my ears are firmly covered while I chant “It’s still summer, It’s still summer, It’s still summer” . . . .

  7. Fall is my favorite season and (to me) seems to be the shortest one of all. I gravitate towards the plums, burgundies, silver, black, forest green,and navy. I also love the luxurious fabrics of clothing for cooler temperatures and always look forward to chilly weather, frost on the morning grass, and the nip in the air.

  8. Love this post. J’aime les couleurs de l’automne! I particularly enjoyed the items you showed in “aubergine,” but I won’t shy away from rust/burnt orange if I can get my hands on some fabulous pieces. It is comforting to slip into warm, cozy garments after the long days of summer… then again, fall, at least here in Seattle, leads into 6 months+ of rainy, chilly, and damp weather, so maybe I will enjoy my summer t-shirts and shorts for a few more weeks. 🙂 Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

  9. I love the LEAF Eileen Fisher shirt! I just bought a silk jersey Tahari blouse in an autumn color and I splurged with my summer school income and bought some great boots in the Nordstroms Anniversary Sale…now I just can’t wait to wear them. You selected some excellent pieces here!

  10. I don’t like “color typing” because I think they’re usually wrong. I love these autumn colors for you and everything you’ve shown is so beautiful. The Tod bag is scrumptious. I’ve been eyeing those J.Crew boots also, but in the dark brown.

  11. Fall is my favorite season and I am a true Fall — auburn hair, pale ivory skin, green eyes. Fall and Spring palettes are warm palettes, while Summer and Winter are cool. The difference between Fall and Spring colors are usually the intensity (chroma) of the color. Fall colors are a more intense or saturated version of Spring colors.

    I can’t tell you how many blue-eyed blondes have come to me as Summers and were actually Springs…………which means they can borrow certain shades from their Sister season Autumn. Something to think about, Ladies.

  12. The stores over here are full of autumn clothing already, but then, our autumn is just behind the corner.
    Though the colored pants look good in the pictures, I would not buy them for my real life.
    The Helmut Lang sweaters are quite revealing and I´m doubting their quality..
    The desert shoes, maybe they are comfy, but I´d feel like a duck wearing them; ).
    However, you managed to collect an interesting collection : ).

    1. Hi Mette, actually I’d wear a tank or camisole under those sweaters. I purchased a Helmut Lang sweater last winter that I wore regularly until the weather was too warm for it and have found the quality to be quite good. I really like the unusual shapes/cuts of some of them.

  13. These autumn colors are beautiful and I agree, they all work together. I’m ready for fall this year because of our extremely hot summer, which is usually my favorite season. I’m longing for layers and boots!

  14. I’m quite pleased to see this autumn selection.
    I have a number of “Park Service” outfits that I like to wear traveling and at outdoorsy things and the olive/tan/purple colors go together very well. Nothing is nicer than being able to add a few refresher things to what you already own!

    The two-toned J.Crew loafs are great. If you see anything smiliar in burgendy/black would you post them? I have high hopes of adding a pair this fall.

  15. I’m a ‘winter’ in terms of the colour catogories – pale skin, dark hair and eyes but my personality likes summer clothes i.e. light colours, bright colours… some pastels don’t suit me, but I can find enough that does suit and feels uplifting.

    I suit black, pure red etc, but I don’t enjoy them as much. I do wear a lot of navy/ cobalt/ royal blue which is a darker colour. I also wear cool beiges as a neutral either with pops of colour (coral, hot pink) or other light coloured neutrals, pastels etc.

    We’ve had the most miserable summer in living memory in the United Kingdom, so no-one here is talking about Autumn yet. I’ve only just gotten to wear any summer clothes!

    Cheers,
    Eleanorjane

  16. These are all my colors, except for that beige sweater. You need to just throw some teal in there and its my closet! I have no use for the same batch brights they throw at us every single summer (thus reducing my t shirt color choices to black or white ) and I don’t think I am alone as there always seems to be an excess of bright pink things on the sales rack come fall. I buy these colors year round as a natural redhead with green/hazel eyes, though I can wear some “Spring” colors as well.

  17. NYDJ has some great jeans out this fall. Sadly, most are not in my required plus size. I get emails from them showing new styles that make my heart go pitty pat only to find none are in my size! They have a new leather look one that just came out. The Sheri style is my favorite of all of them.

  18. I had a color analysis years ago and was labeled a ‘Summer’ but have always worn and loved the fall color palette. So last year I again had my colors done and low and behold I am a true fall. ( I didn’t tell the color analyst my former results)She told me the flecks of gold in my iris gave it away. So maybe you really are a Fall…
    Love the pieces you picked out my favorite season of the year love the leaves changing color and the crisp mornings.