Fashion designers and marketing experts aim to make clothing that will sell by choosing colors, shapes, textures, and patterns that appeal to our senses, flatter and refresh us, and even make us feel ravishing this fall.
Updated 10/01/2026
In fact, research shows that specific colors have vibrational properties that
speed up, balance, or calm down thinking and behavior.
As consumers, we sort through the offerings and do our best to choose those garments that will last for years, and have a positive influence on our mood, behaviors, and even impact our sense of well-being. To learn about sustainable fashion see "10 Simple Steps to Being More Sustainable."
Just be mindful that color preferences work at the cellular level and bypass reason. What's right for one person may not be right for someone else.
Read "Secrets to Selecting Top Fashion Colors to Flatter You" for ideas about how to coordinate your attire to your complexion and skin undertone.
How to Shine in Fall Fashion Colors
1. START WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.
I'm a big believer in repairing, redesigning, and upcycling clothes that are already in my closet. Before each season begins I look through my clothing and try on pieces I am considering using during the coming months.
I question "does the garment look attractive as is or can it be altered, paired with something I haven't thought of before, or layered underneath or above something else? Can I accessorize it with a colorful pair of shoes, belt, shawl, or handbag?"
I weed out those items that are beyond repair or look unsightly on me. Then, before I change my mind and stick the clothes back in my closet, I donate them and/or hold a clothing exchange event with friends.
Any time I buy or thrift something new, I maintain the one piece in and one piece out rule.
Then I observe which colors catch my eye during the day, and what feelings they evoke.
You can do this too. Sort through your closet and wardrobe. Then check out what the online and local clothing stores are showing.
See what others wear and evaluate which clothing colors relax and calm you. Try to become more mindful of specific color combinations and ways they make you feel.
2. EMBRACE COLOR COMBINATIONS THAT RESONATE WITH YOU.
Feel unsettled, down in the dumps, or invisible? An
excellent color to wear is RED. It’s the color of the root chakra,
the energetic base of all the ascending chakras. Read "Root Chakra Tips to Support, Stabilize, and Sustain You" to discover what I mean.
Doing grounding yoga poses like forward bend in RED attire
helps us feel centered, energized, focused on our strengths, and helps us get on with our
day.
Another way to practice connecting to earth red/energy is to recite affirmations. Use those that are meaningful to you.
I feel invigorated and empowered
whenever I visualize the root chakra.
My health is excellent and I am
fortunate to be well-balanced, fit, prosperous, and strong.
My spirit is grounded deep in the earth.
I reserve time to balance and nurture mind, body,
and spirit in the great outdoors often.
GREEN provides healing energy for most physical and emotional illness. Hues of green create balance, harmony, personal development, self-acceptance, self-compassion, and rejuvenation. When we wear or envision GREEN it helps lift anxiety, self-pity, confusion, and renews our spirits.
GREEN symbolizes nature and is a soothing, refreshing color to don, especially for those who are hyperactive or have a racing mind.
Look for a deep, rich GREEN hue called Pine Needle. This hue adds a touch of nature to your fall
wardrobe, exuding a sense of grounding and stability. Incorporate Pine Needle
into your outfits with a scarf, sweater, or trousers for a sophisticated, outdoorsy look.
Another GREEN you'll see everywhere comes from Pantone, and it's fashioned after the color of the vegetable, Kohlrabi, a medium light shade of green similar to Pistachio.
BLUE hues are calming, relaxing, and soothes fears. Blue is favored by more people than any
other. This color represents release and renewal, free flow, inspiration, and relaxation.
One
example of a muted BLUE tone popular this fall is Lacecap Hydrangea. This icy blue offers a color
punch without being over the top. It’s also a color that can work for all
four seasons, depending on what you pair it with.
For fall, balance this floral-inspired
blue with deeper shades like gem-tones, caramel brown, mustard yellow, or even
fiery red.
BLUE hues can be bright and attract attention. One example of a powerful blue hue is Cobalt Blue.
Turquoise is a wonderful hue of BLUE to select, if you need some help bringing your health and wellness to the forefront. It's sometimes called our master healer. Turquoise energy can enhance the immune system. Wear a turquoise necklace or earrings, turquoise tee, or jacket.
GREEN-BLUE colors including aqua,
aquamarine, and teal are easy on the eyes. These shades reflect
the colors in water and sky, and wearing a teal sweatshirt creates a sense of tranquility and ease.
Many people find bright
YELLOW and golden yellow invigorate, help their power of concentration, and
create a sunny outlook.
YELLOW also works to heal digestive track
issues and infuse more joy into life.
Try to take your emotional and physical temperature at various times
during the day. See whether you become tense, especially when you face a
challenge, doubt your abilities, are sad, anxious, or have low energy.
Wear yellow socks, a yellow slicker, or carry a yellow backpack. Pause to take in this yellow energy or visualize a yellow flower or sunlight streaming through the windows in your
home or office workspace to enliven you.
ORANGE helps unblock emotions. If you need support as you grieve a relationship or feel another loss, wear orange. Put on an orange tee, scarf, or boots when depressed, and see whether orange can draw more joy
and lightness into daily living. Red ORANGE is one of the most popular fall 2023 colors.
Do you own articles of clothing that are bright orange, terracotta, pumpkin, rust or other shade of orange? Those who wear colors in the orange family are usually people with a friendly attitude and lively demeanor.
A little bit of orange goes a long way. Wearing too much orange at one time may make you feel confused, disoriented, and claustrophobic. It can worsen nausea or dizziness.
Since ancient times, PURPLE has been associated with
the color of the clergy, nobles, and the rich. Those who are attracted to
purple may have an artistic or dramatic flair.
Some wear purple clothing, because they
intuitively sense it clears confusion and calms hyperactivity.
Others wear it to connect with their higher wisdom, speed up natural
healing energy in the body, or supply inspiration for transformation.
There are many hues of PURPLE, and this fall burgundy, plum, lilac, mauve, and violet are showing up often.
3. GO FOR PRACTICAL, ECO-FRIENDLY, AND BEAUTIFUL
Clothing can be
comfortable, beautiful, and fun to wear, as well as provide warmth and protection.
Instead of owning a closet full of so-so clothes you "just feel okay in," decide on a capsule wardrobe of three outfits you feel great in.
If you need to update an outfit, fill in with a high-quality piece like a blouse or sweater in a color you love.
Research sustainable
fashion and find and support those businesses that use textiles that are
manufactured, constructed, and marketed in a responsible, conscious way that accounts
for their environmental and socioeconomic impact.
Look for clothing that's made with organic and
natural fibers, biodegradable materials, uses natural dyes, little or no-waste
pattern making, employs ethical labor practices, and are
handmade/artisan crafted.
Spend time shopping vintage, perusing thrift stores, searching though hidden family heirlooms, or sorting through that old foot locker in the attic.
To shine from the inside, wear clothing that is comfy, attractive, made well, ignites pleasure, and delights your senses!
What's your favorite color and do you wear clothes made of that color often?
Do you use certain colors to create an effect and which ones are they?
Did you learn anything new about colors today and how do you think that can help you?
Before you go consider this. The world of color is fascinating. You can be more fascinating too. Which color or colors makes you feel great? Why not wear your favorite colors more often?
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