If you love experimenting with colour, you're in for a treat this autumn, as the A/W26 catwalks were awash with bold colour combinations to brighten up those darker days. And it's an easy way to start transitioning your wardrobe into the new season now, with summer's colour pairings giving way to darker, richer tones. Wear your pale blues with flashes of burgundy, team bold reds with molten chocolate, and yellow or chartreuse pairs beautifully with a delicate pale pink – great for party season.
And the new-season twist on the trend? We're colour layering rather than blocking. So, the 'blocky' look is softened slightly with draping and clever accessories. Burgundy scarves are tied around the waist of blue dresses, pale pink slip dresses skim over silk blend chartreuse trousers and high-shine chocolate skirts and trousers are paired with soft, cosy red sweatshirts and suede green shoes.
It's already getting us excited for autumn. If you want to play with colour as we transition into the new season, here are 13 key pieces to shop the look now and how to style them.
Blue + burgundy
This is set to be one of autumn's hottest colour combinations and M&S is already on it with its Autograph midi, which has a whiff of Victoria Beckham about it. It would make a gorgeous transitional piece by itself – ideal for warm temperatures now and worn with a blazer later – but it also plays into the colour layering trend.
M&S Autograph V-Neck Midi Waisted Dress
M&S Autograph V-Neck Midi Waisted Dress
M&S pieces sell out fast, so we've also found this jersey dress from & Other Stories for a more relaxed look.
And this deeper turquoise dress from Boden would look fabulous with burgundy heels and accessories.
Pair with a squishy burgundy clutch (very A/W26), matching heels and add a burgundy silk scarf tied loosely at the waist to break up the blocky colour.
FatFace Burgundy Red Polka Dot Triangle Square Scarf
FatFace Burgundy Red Polka Dot Triangle Square Scarf
Red + chocolate brown + olive green
This one is all about clashing texture as well as colour, creating a multi-layered dream of a look. Start with a chunky red sweatshirt (go oversized) – Uniqlo is the place for great, affordable sweats and knits – and then add a patent chocolate brown skirt or trousers. You want a glossy finish on whichever bottom you choose, creating that liquid chocolate look.
Uniqlo Unisex Smooth Cotton Crew Neck Jumper
Uniqlo Unisex Smooth Cotton Crew Neck Jumper
Per Una Leather Pintuck Straight Leg Trousers
Per Una Leather Pintuck Straight Leg Trousers
For an extra twist, finish with some suede olive green shoes.
Topshop Anya Slingback High Heeled Court Shoe
Topshop Anya Slingback High Heeled Court Shoe
Pink + chartreuse + silver
This is perhaps our favourite colour combination of all and it's made for evenings out. For the colour layering look, go bold and wear a floaty pale pink negligee-inspired dress over some gorgeous chartreuse trousers – the evening 'party pants' from Reformation below are perfection – and silver heels. However, if you're not sure about the lingerie as outerwear style, opt for a silk shirt or jacket on top for a gorgeous, dressy night-out look with a difference.
ASOS Design slash neck satin mini dress with lace hem in pink
Phase Eight Strappy High Block Heel Sandal
