Fall 2026: These Are The Colors Everyone Will Be Wearing This Season

The end of summer can be bittersweet for fashion lovers. On one hand, it's time to bid farewell to sundresses and sandals, but a new season means new style opportunities, and, if you're wondering which fall 2026 fashion trends to have on your radar, color is a great place to start. Cynthia Kennedy, San Diego-based personal stylist and image consultant, expects certain shades to be all over the fall 2026 runways, red carpets, and beyond. After all, shaking up how you play with color is one of easiest ways to usher in a new season and showcase your incredible style.

Kennedy, who offers in-person and virtual styling consultations via the Your Style Transformation Academy, expects to see a mix of well-loved colors and less-obvious players emerge for fall 2026. But, if you identify as earth-tone attracted, fret not. She says there's no need to donate all your neutrals. You can still incorporate color into your go-to wardrobe without abandoning your settled-on vibe. After all, Kennedy tells Glam exclusively, "Trends should give you more ways to express your personal style, not more rules to follow." We couldn't agree more. So, let's get into some color theory. 

If you want to lean into the moody, earthy energy of fall without turning your back on the colors that make summertime so much fun, decadent purples are the way to go. "Rich purples are having their moment, especially eggplant, grape, and royal purple," Cynthia Kennedy notes in our exclusive chat. Consider going the monochromatic route and reach for all-over color via separates, perhaps just varying the tones. Or, if you want to tone things down some, Kennedy says pair a purple sweater, say, with a camel, chocolate, charcoal, or cream-colored bottom. 

Alternatively, color lovers may want to up the ante by pairing purple with contrasting, equally vibrant shades in the pink, burgundy, or red family. And, of course, a pop of purple via a bold accessory is always a sure bet. "You could also do something as simple as an eggplant handbag or shoe with a neutral outfit," she explains. "Let the color be the statement." Kennedy recommends The Lexington Zip Shoulder Bag from Madewell. 

For a more classically chic but no less impactful approach to autumn dressing, Cynthia Kennedy says to cozy up to olive green and let it be your BFF all season long. One added pro: As a traditional earthy intermediary, olive green is one of the fall 2026 fashion trends older women will love for the way it looks great on its own or opposite a bolder hue. "Olive will be everywhere this fall because it almost functions as a neutral," Kennedy tells us exclusively. "For a beautiful look, try it with cream, denim, camel, or chocolate brown." 

For an edgier approach, she suggests pairing the color with burgundy or tomato red. And olive green makes for the perfect layering pieces as temperatures drop. Kennedy says, "I also love olive in outerwear because it gives you so much versatility. I love an olive suede jacket or blazer, because it combines color and texture for that classic fall look." She points to this Sézane Will Jacket in suede.

When you picture punchy red, you might think the vibrancy it brings places it with summertime staples or with winter holiday festive wear, but, done smartly, a fiery red can totally be at home within your fall 2026 wardrobe. Make it the central part of your 'fit or let it be that added, look-over-here statement piece. "We're seeing some very saturated red shades like scarlet and tomato this fall," Cynthia Kennedy shares with Glam in our exclusive chat. "I love a red sweater with dark denim and a pair of loafers or boots. A classic red cable-knit sweater lets you dip your toe into the color without feeling too trendy." She recommends the Charter Club Cashmere Long-Sleeve Crewneck Sweater.

She says camel, navy blue, cool creams, and chocolate browns make for nice accompaniments to bright reds — and they offer some relief. Or, Kennedy says, "If you love mixing colors, try pairing red with pink or purple for a really stunning combination. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but, when the tones are right, it looks incredibly rich and intentional."

A high-voltage blue along the lines of electric or cobalt is a surefire way to infuse vibrancy into your autumn 2026 closet, a lovely complement to the moodier season. Cynthia Kennedy tells Glam exclusively, "Cobalt is one of my favorite colors for fall. It offers a refreshing change from fall's usual neutral shades." She's a fan of pairing the jazzy color with warm browns like chocolate or camel, or navy and charcoal gray. And contrasting colors — say, by blending cobalt with a red or burgundy — is an '80s fashion trend making a major comeback in fall 2026.

Kennedy notes that you can certainly make quieter moves with cobalt or electric blue that are still guaranteed to make a statement; don't think you need to reach for all-over color. She says, "A sweater, handbag, shoe, or scarf can completely change an otherwise neutral outfit. A cobalt knit is probably one of the easiest ways to bring this color into an everyday wardrobe. Try a cobalt sweater with camel pants or denim and you have an easy way to wear the trend." She likes this Nordstrom Crewneck Cashmere Cardigan.

Rich red-tinged wines like burgundy, maroon, and merlot never fail to deliver oomph and energy, while still feeling earthy and moody, making them the perfect, forever-classic fall shades. "Burgundy remains a must-have color for fall 2026," notes Cynthia Kennedy in our exclusive chat. "It's very wearable because it gives you color without being too loud." The stylist likes to pair the color with grays, navy blues, warm browns, and chic creams. Other colors in the pink-red family work beautifully, too. Think dusty rose and scarlet red.

"Burgundy leather or suede accessories are one of the easiest ways to update pieces you already own." And for fall 2026 and beyond, layering a rich burgundy piece to contend with the nippy weather is an ultra-stylish move that's guaranteed to deliver old-money sophistication. Kennedy suggests this Ruched Sleeve Blazer from White House Black Market. "A burgundy blazer is really versatile because it can be dressed up for the office or worn on the weekends with denim," she tells us. Sold.