Colorful Fall Outfit Ideas: How To Wear Color This Fall
Every fall, my closet tries to turn completely brown, black, and gray. And every fall, I remember that the outfits I actually love are the colorful ones. So this year I put together a few colorful fall outfit ideas to prove that fall dressing does not have to be dark to feel seasonal. Olive green, rust, pink, mustard, and soft floral prints are all fall colors, and they are so much more fun to wear.
Every top here is from Natural Life, which is my go to for cheerful, free spirited pieces with real personality. I paired each one with simple basics I already own, like jeans, a slip skirt, cream pants, and boots, so the color can do the talking. Here are four ways to wear color this fall.
Why You Should Wear Color In The Fall
Color is the easiest way to look put together with almost no effort. A colorful top instantly becomes the focal point of an outfit, which means everything else can be simple. It also photographs beautifully and, honestly, it just makes you feel happier on gray, chilly days.
The trick is choosing colors that still feel like fall. Think warm and earthy tones like olive, rust, mustard, burnt orange, and deep pink, paired with neutrals like cream, denim, and brown. That combination reads seasonal while still feeling bright and fresh.
How To Style An Embroidered Sweatshirt With A Slip Skirt
This is my favorite way to dress up a sweatshirt. An olive green crewneck with a sweet embroidered folk design across the front, paired with a cream polka dot slip skirt and black ankle boots. The cozy sweatshirt and the silky skirt balance each other perfectly, so the outfit feels comfortable and a little bit elevated at the same time.
Olive green is one of the best fall colors because it works like a neutral but still has warmth. The embroidery adds a pop of color without overwhelming the outfit, and the polka dot skirt keeps it playful. This one works for church, brunch, or a fall day out with the kids.
Styling Tip For Sweatshirts And Skirts
Let the sweatshirt hang loose or give it a small front tuck at the waistband so the skirt still shows. A boot with some weight to it, like a chunky ankle boot, keeps the look grounded and perfect for cooler weather.
How To Style A Floral Sherpa Pullover
If you want maximum color, this is it. A floral sherpa quarter zip pullover covered in green, orange, and pink flowers. It is soft, warm, and so cheerful. I kept the rest of the outfit simple with light wash straight leg jeans and orange suede sneakers that pull one of the colors from the print.
Sherpa is one of the coziest fall fabrics there is, and a bold floral print takes it from loungewear to a real outfit. This is my go to for pumpkin patches, soccer games, and running errands on chilly mornings.
Pulling one color from a printed top and repeating it in your shoes is one of the easiest styling tricks there is. I used the same approach in my post on how to style floral wide leg pants, and it works every single time.
How To Style A Graphic Sweater With Shorts For Fall
Who says shorts are just for summer? This brown sweater with a moose design and rust trim paired with rust lace trim shorts is one of my favorite transitional fall outfits. I added white lace socks and suede clogs to make it feel cozy and intentional instead of like I forgot to change out of summer clothes.
The warm brown and rust tones are pure fall, and the moose graphic gives it a fun, a little bit vintage cabin feel. This is perfect for those early fall days when the mornings are cool but the afternoons still warm up.
How To Wear Shorts In The Fall
The key is pairing them with something cozy on top, like a chunky sweater, and adding texture on the bottom, like lace or slouchy socks with clogs or boots. Keeping the colors warm and earthy, like rust and brown, makes shorts feel seasonal instead of summery.
How To Style A Patchwork Cardigan
This patchwork cardigan is a true statement piece. Blocks of pink, mustard, gray, and green with a column of daisies down the front. I styled it over a simple white tank with cream wide leg pants and brown boots, so the cardigan is the star and everything else stays quiet.
A colorful cardigan like this is one of the easiest ways to add color to a fall wardrobe, because you can throw it over almost anything. Jeans, a dress, leggings, or wide leg pants all work. The cream and white underneath keep it light and fresh.
Cardigans are my favorite fall layer, and if you love them as much as I do, I have more favorites in my post on cozy cardigans for fall.
Tips For Wearing Color In The Fall
Start with one colorful piece and keep everything else neutral. Choose warm, earthy versions of bright colors, like rust instead of red or mustard instead of yellow. Pull one color from a print into your shoes, bag, or socks to make the outfit look styled. And do not be afraid of mixing prints in small doses, like a floral top with a polka dot skirt, as long as one piece stays simple.
Where To Shop These Natural Life Tops
All four tops are from Natural Life, which has some of the most colorful, happy pieces I have found for fall. You can see their current styles in the Natural Life sweaters and cardigans collection. If you love their style, I also styled one of their tops five different ways in my post on white lace top outfit ideas. And for more on the shades that are trending this season, this fall color trends roundup is a fun read.
Fall does not have to mean a closet full of black and brown. A little color goes a long way, whether it is an embroidered sweatshirt, a cozy floral pullover, a fun graphic sweater, or a patchwork cardigan. Pick one colorful piece, keep the rest simple, and you have an outfit that feels seasonal and happy at the same time. If you try any of these, tag me so I can see how you are wearing color this fall.
