Autumn type: autumn colour palette, characteristics & outfit ideas
Which colours suit an autumn type?
Are you wondering if you might be an autumn type? In this article we will show you the characteristics of an autumn type and which colour palette will look particularly good on you. We will also explain the differences between a warm, deep and soft autumn type. Furthermore, we will give you suitable outfit suggestions and practical styling tips.
What are the characteristics of an autumn type?
You can recognise an autumn type by their undertone, hair and eye colour. An autumn type has a contrasting and an overall warm undertone. Characteristics of an autumn type are:
Hair: warm brown, golden, and red tones
Eye colour: hazel, dark brown, greenish brown, blue with a warm undertone
Skin tone: fair with freckles or a warm and dark skin tone
Do you know how to find out what your seasonal type is? In our guide “Colour analysis: finding your colour type”, we will give you practical step-by-step instructions on how to find your seasonal type.
Which colours suit an autumn type? An overview of the autumn colour palette
The colours of autumn leaves already give you a good idea which colours suit an autumn type. Golden yellow, burgundy and olive green tones look particularly flattering on an autumn type and harmonise perfectly with their appearance.
This means, as an autumn type you can wear warm, rich and earthy tones.
The best colours for an autumn type are:
Earthy and rich red tones, such as burgundy or terracotta
Warm yellow and orange tones, such as mustard and pumpkin
Muted green tones, such as moss green and olive green
Rich and earthy brown tones, such as golden brown
Warm blue tones, such as teal
Tip: When looking for basics for an autumn type you can opt for warm brown tones, such as camel or dark brown. Green tones, such as olive are good base colours for your wardrobe. It is a good idea to avoid black items of clothing, as the strong contrast can make you look washed out. A more flattering alternative is a warm grey (mixed with green or brown tones). Pastel tones don’t suit autumn types and will make you look pale.
Different autumn types: am I a warm, deep or soft autumn type?
The autumn sub-types are not identical. There are differences within this colour palette, which vary slightly in brightness, intensity and warmth. Which autumn sub-types are there? Below we have put together an overview of the different autumn types:
Warm autumn | Deep autumn | Soft autumn | |
Eye colour | Medium or dark brown, olive green, warm blue | Dark brown, blackish brown, dark green | Greyish green, greyish blue, light to medium brown |
Hair colour | Warm and dark blonde and brown tones, warm and intense red tones | Medium brown, blackish brown with golden or red undertones | Ash blonde, medium to light brown |
Skin tone | Warm beige or ivory, can have freckles | Neutral with a warm undertone | Neutral to golden beige; can have freckles |
Tanning | Tans slowly | Tans fast | Tans slowly |
Warm autumn colour palette: warm and vibrant
If your eyes, hair and skin have a warm, golden undertone, you are most probably a warm autumn type. This means, your hair can range from dark golden brown, to warm brown and rich red tones. Your eyes are a warm brown, blue or green colour and your skin is golden beige with a warm undertone. A warm autumn type is the warmest of the three sub-types and has similarities to a spring type.
As a warm autumn type with these features, you can wear rich and warm colours. The following colours suit a warm autumn type perfectly:
Red: copper, dark orange
Green: khaki, olive, moss green
Brown: golden brown, musk, chocolate
Yellow: mustard yellow
Neutral tones: camel, warm grey, beige, champagne
You can finish off your look by matching your make-up, jewellery and accessories to your colour type. Below we have put together the best tips for warm autumn types:
Warm autumn colour palette and base colours: brown tones and grey or blue tones with a warm undertone are the right choice for your basics. They harmonise well with the accent colours of your colour palette and create a harmonious overall appearance.
Jewellery: as a seasonal type with a warm undertone, golden jewellery will suit your skin tone particularly well.
Make-up: to make your seasonal type stand out, warm and slightly muted colours are key.For example, choose an eye shadow palette in warm, matt and rich hues. It is better to avoid shimmering eye shadow or eye shadow with blue tones as these can make you look pale. Opt for eyeliner and mascara in a warm brown tone, as black can make you look washed out. An orange or red lipstick with a warm undertone adds a great accent and looks good on a warm autumn type.
Accessories: choose colour coordinated accessories to finish off your look perfectly. For example, you could add a handbag in a warm brown tone or dark orange or make a fashion statement by adding a camel-coloured hat.
Why do I need base and accent colours in my outfits?
To create an effective and versatile wardrobe, base and accent colours are essential. Base colours serve as a neutral basis for your wardrobe and give your outfits a sense of harmony and balance. With accent colours, which are usually bolder and more vibrant, you can add interesting highlights. If you would like to put together a capsule wardrobe, you can choose three base and three accent colours. It is recommended that you stick to your personal colour palette to make sure that your chosen colours not only suit your seasonal type but also harmonise with each other.
Deep autumn colour palette: deep and warm
Do you have dark brown eyes, medium brown to blackish brown hair and a golden beige to olive skin tone? Then you are most probably a deep autumn type. The dark nuances in your hair, skin and eyes make this type the darkest of the three autumn sub-types. However, this colour type still has a certain warmth and can thus wear warm and deep colours. This means that the deep autumn type (also known as dark autumn), is similar to a winter type. The best colours for this autumn type are:
Red: rust, claret, dark berry
Green: dark olive green, dark bluish green
Yellow: golden yellow
Blue: bluish green, medium dark marine blue
Neutral tones: warm white, cream, warm and dark brown tones, warm grey
The following tips will help you put together stylish looks for a dark autumn type:
Dark autumn colour palette: a clever way to put together an outfit from your colour palette is to combine complementary colours (such as aubergine with bluish green) or combine a base colour with an accent colour.
Jewellery: the characteristic warm undertone of your seasonal type makes golden jewellery look particularly beautiful on your skin.
Make-up: as a deep autumn type with an overall darker appearance, you can opt for warm and rich tones in your make-up. A warm eye shadow in dark earthy tones, an eyeliner in your eye colour and a lipstick in dark berry tones make you look vital and are an optimal look for you. As a deep autumn type, the darker your skin tone, hair and eye colour, the darker your make-up can be.
Accessories: you can finish off your look and make a statement with a practical cross-over bag, a soft scarf or a pair of stylish sunglasses from your colour palette.
Soft autumn colour palette: warm and muted
Do you have a warm undertone but a small contrast between your skin tone, hair and eye colour? This means you could be a soft autumn type. In comparison to the warm and deep autumn types, a soft autumn type has the least amount of warmth. Your skin generally has a slightly warm undertone, your hair has an ashy touch and your eyes range from greyish blue and greyish green to brown. A soft autumn type looks best in muted autumn colours because of the small contrast between your hair, skin and eyes.
The following colours look particularly flattering on a soft autumn type:
Red: soft burgundy, fig, salmon
Green: sage green, soft bluish green, khaki
Yellow: buttermilk
Blue: warm navy, dark turquoise
Neutral tones: warm grey, soft white, soft taupe
Below we have put together some outfit ideas and styling tips which are perfect for a soft autumn type:
Soft autumn colour palette: as a soft autumn type you can put together looks in colours that lie between warm and cool,for example, berry with dark grey. Monochromatic outfits also look great on you. With your colour palette, make sure not to choose colours that are too bright, warm or light. This could otherwise cause your soft appearance to fade into the background and make your outfit stand out too much.
Tip: if you are a fan of patterns and prints, as a soft autumn type you can opt for delicate patterns without hard lines.Jewellery: as a soft autumn type, you can wear silver as well as golden jewellery.
Make-up: you can also use make-up to compliment your soft appearance. A natural look is the perfect choice. For example, you can use a light, warm bronzer, a subtle eye shadow, a peachy rouge, brown mascara and a lipstick in soft berry tones. This will make you radiate vitality!
Tip: if you want to go for a more dramatic look, for example for a wedding, then go for smokey eyes in brown tones and a darker shade of lipstick.
Accessories: as a soft autumn type, accessories from your colour palette will compliment your look perfectly. A handbag in taupe, a sage green scarf or a salmon-coloured hat will finish off your look.
Trendy accessories for soft autumn types
Conclusion: autumn types look great in warm, deep and rich colours
Autumn types are characterised by golden or olive undertones, brown and copper-coloured hair and brown, green or hazel eyes. Earthy and natural tones suit this seasonal type particularly well, such as nuances like rust, bright orange and deep green. There are three different autumn sub-types which all have slightly different features. Depending on your sub-type, you can wear either vibrant, deeper or softer colours to make you stand out.
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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:
Cover photo: Rido – stock.adobe.com
1. Image in text: Rido – stock.adobe.com
All other images in text: C&A