You open your closet.
Black.
More black.
Denim.
Another black top.
Sound familiar?
We love a great black outfit too, but fall is one of the easiest seasons to experiment with color.
And you don't need to suddenly become someone who wears five colors at once.
The easiest way to start is to pair one fall color with neutrals you already own.
Here are some of our favorite combinations and exactly how to wear them.
What Colors Are Popular for Fall?
Fall wardrobes traditionally move toward richer, earthier colors, and this season we're seeing beautiful shades such as:
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Chocolate brown
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Burgundy and wine
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Olive and botanic green
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Rust and dusty clay
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Cream and ecru
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Navy
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Camel
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Deep red
You don't need every trending color.
Choose the ones that make you happy when you put them on.
What Colors Go With Chocolate Brown?
Chocolate brown is one of the easiest alternatives to black.
Try:
Chocolate + Cream
Warm, soft and polished.
Try chocolate pants with a cream sweater, or dark denim with a chocolate cardigan and ivory top.
Chocolate + Denim
Possibly the easiest combination on this list.
Try a chocolate sweater with medium-wash jeans.
Chocolate + Burgundy
Rich and dramatic without being overly complicated.
Let one shade dominate and use the other as an accent.
Chocolate + Black
Yes, you can wear brown and black together.
The combination looks especially intentional when you repeat one of the colors somewhere else in the outfit.
What Colors Go With Burgundy?
Burgundy is surprisingly easy to treat like a neutral.
Burgundy + Denim
Start here if you're nervous about color.
Burgundy sweater + favorite jeans = done.
Burgundy + Cream
Cream softens the richness of burgundy and creates a beautiful fall combination.
Burgundy + Navy
Both colors have depth, making this an easy way to wear color without creating a bright outfit.
Burgundy + Camel
A classic fall palette that works beautifully with denim.
What Colors Go With Olive Green?
Olive is another color that can function almost like a neutral.
Try:
Olive + Cream
Olive + Black
Olive + Denim
Olive + Camel
Olive + Burgundy
If your wardrobe contains lots of black, olive is one of the easiest colors to introduce because you probably already own several pieces to pair with it.
Can You Wear Navy and Brown Together?
Yes—and we love them together.
Try dark navy with cognac or chocolate brown.
Navy blouse + jeans + brown accessories is an easy combination.
So is a navy dress with a brown or camel cardigan.
The colors have enough contrast to feel intentional while remaining understated.
What Goes With Rust or Dusty Clay?
Rust and dusty clay are beautiful transitional colors because they start feeling like fall even when the weather is still warm.
Pair them with:
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Cream
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Denim
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Chocolate
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Navy
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Olive
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Black
A dusty clay blouse with jeans can carry you from late summer straight into fall without requiring heavy layers.
Shop our Tops Collection.
What If I Mostly Wear Black?
Don't replace your black wardrobe.
Build on it.
Start with:
Black jeans + burgundy top
Black pants + olive sweater
Black dress + camel cardigan
Black tee + rust jacket
Black blouse + chocolate pants
Adding one color is often enough to make the entire outfit feel seasonal.
Do Fall Colors Have to Match My Skin Tone?
You may have seen seasonal color analysis telling people they're a Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter.
Color analysis can be a fun tool, and certain shades may make your complexion look brighter than others.
But you don't need permission from a color chart to wear a color you love.
If you adore olive but don't love it close to your face, wear olive pants or a skirt.
If you love burgundy, wear the burgundy sweater.
Personal style should still be personal.
Seven Easy Fall Color Formulas to Save
Here’s your Love Marlow fall color cheat sheet:
1. Burgundy + Cream + Denim
Rich + soft + classic.
2. Chocolate + Ivory + Denim
Warm and incredibly easy to wear.
3. Olive + Black + Camel
Perfect for someone easing into fall color.
4. Navy + Chocolate + Cream
Polished without feeling overly dressy.
5. Rust + Denim + Ivory
A beautiful transitional combination.
6. Burgundy + Navy + Denim
Deep color without a lot of contrast.
7. Black + One Fall Color
The easiest formula of all.
Choose burgundy, olive, rust, chocolate, or deep red and let your black basics do the rest.
How Do I Build an Outfit Around a Fall Color?
Use the one-color method.
Pick one statement color.
Then add two neutrals.
For example:
Burgundy + denim + cream
Your burgundy sweater is the statement.
Your jeans are neutral.
Your cream cardigan or jacket completes the outfit.
That's it.
You don't need to match every element.
What If I Love Bright Colors in Fall?
Wear them.
Fall fashion doesn't require you to transform into a pumpkin spice latte.
Bright pink with chocolate can be gorgeous.
Cobalt with camel can work beautifully.
Red with denim is timeless.
Emerald with black feels perfect heading toward the holidays.
Seasonal colors are inspiration, not a dress code.
Use Texture to Make Neutral Outfits More Interesting
If you prefer neutrals, texture becomes especially useful.
Think:
Popcorn knits
Ribbed sweaters
Denim
Faux suede
Textured blouses
Chunky knits
Mesh
Embroidery
A cream sweater + denim outfit can look completely different depending on the texture of the sweater.
Shop our sweaters.
The Love Marlow Approach to Fall Color
You don't need a closet filled with trends.
Choose a few colors that work with what you already own.
If your wardrobe is mostly black, add burgundy.
If you own lots of denim, try chocolate.
If your closet is filled with cream and camel, add olive.
And if you find a bright color that makes you smile every time you put it on?
Wear that instead.
The best fall wardrobe still needs to feel like you.
Need more help putting together your fall wardrobe, or maybe another boost of confidence? Check out our blog: How to Dress for Fall When You’re Mid-Size or Plus-Size.
Want some more help finding those perfect layering pieces? Check out our blog: How to Layer Clothes Without Feeling Bulky: A Mid & Plus-Size Guide.
Shop all of our beautiful fall tops.
