As the weather cools down and leaves change, you might feel overwhelmed by the thought of transitioning your wardrobe from summer to fall. What if you could simplify your fashion choices and create a chic and versatile fall wardrobe using just best color combination? A neutral color palette offers the perfect solution, providing endless mix-and-match possibilities to effortlessly transition your look from day to night, weekday to weekend, and everything in between. 

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about neutral color palettes for clothes and how to create a stylish fall wardrobe with this color scheme using WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. 

Table of Contents

• What are Neutral Colors and Why Are They Important in Fashion?

• Colors That Make Up a Neutral Color Palette

• Neutral Wardrobe Colors for the 16 Color Seasons

• How to Choose the Perfect Color Palette Neutrals for Your Wardrobe

• 6 Styling Tips To Effortlessly Wear Neutral Colors

• Nailing a Neutral Color Palette for Your Fall Wardrobe

• How to Wear Neutrals Without Looking Boring

• 18 Easy-To-Wear Neutral Outfit Ideas for a Stylish Fall Wardrobe

• Try AI Personal Color Analysis For Free Today

What are Neutral Colors and Why Are They Important in Fashion?

Neutral colors are shades that lack color. In fashion, neutral hues are versatile and can complement almost any color or style. Their adaptability makes them excellent for creating balanced outfits or capsule wardrobes like the ones often featured on Pinterest. These wardrobes lean heavily on neutral palettes that provide a solid foundation for mixing and matching pieces. 

Neutral colors include:

• Black

• White

• Beige

• Gray

• Taupe tones

Embracing Individuality: Finding Your Unique Neutral Color Palette 

While neutral colors can seem like the classic go-to options we all have in our closets, the concept of one-size-fits-all neutrals needs to be updated. We are all wonderfully unique, each with our distinct coloring. So, our choice of neutral wardrobe colors should be as individual as we are, ensuring we look and feel our absolute best. 

The Versatility of Neutral Colors in Fashion 

Neutral colors are often described as the chameleons of the fashion world, effortlessly pairing with almost any hue. However, their versatility goes far beyond what may initially come to mind regarding neutrals. At their core, neutrals are typically recognized as the subtle and sophisticated tonal variations of black and brown, not to mention all the gradients in between. 

This category includes:

• Classic shades: black, espresso, and charcoal

• Timeless elegance: white, ivory, and silver 

Color Neutrals: Adding Versatility to Your Wardrobe

The neutral palette continues. As fashion evolves, a broader spectrum of colors joins the neutral ranks, particularly those with undertones of blue. This includes refined navy and trusty denim hues that have become staples in the modern wardrobe.

The expansion of color palettes has given rise to a new category of 'color neutrals.' These are shades like blush, olive, burgundy, and sage, which may fall outside the traditional black/brown/navy range but share the unassuming versatility that makes them a seamless fit in any neutral wardrobe.

Colors That Make Up a Neutral Color Palette

The basic neutral color palette comprises black, white, brown, and gray, with varying shades in between.

Here is a breakdown of the various types of neutrals: 

Pure neutrals 

These are pure colors, meaning they are fully saturated and do not have an undertone (underlying color). Mixing pure neutrals and primary colors can influence the resulting color’s saturation and vibrancy.

The pure neutral color palette includes:

• Black

• White

• Brown

• Gray

Near-neutrals 

Mixing a primary color with a pure neutral color creates a near-neutral color. For instance, mixing the primary color yellow with the pure neutral brown makes the near-neutral color tan. 

Near-neutral colors have lower saturation than pure neutral colors. Similarly, pairing a neutral color with a bright hue increases the vibrancy of the hue, attracting the eye to that particular spot of color.

Warm and cool neutrals

Mixing different pure neutral colors with primary colors creates warm or cool neutrals. 

• Warm neutrals:

  • Yellow

  • Orange

  • Pink undertones

    • Beige

    • Tan

    • Gold

• Cool neutrals: 

  • Blue

  • Purple

  • Green undertones

    • Gray

    • Taupe

    • Ivory

Color Matching Made Easy

WhatColors helps you find what colors to wear based on your skin tone. Finally, get your season based on our skin tone, thanks to our patented color match technology. Get the perfect colors based on your season. Avoid colors that are a definite no. Based on your skin, eye, and hair color, find the perfect nail colors with our WhatColors nail color generator. 

Get your color analysis done within 60 seconds with WhatColors’ AI personal color analysis app. Download our app for free today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Related Reading

• What Are Neutral Colors
• Color Wheel for Clothes

Neutral Wardrobe Colors for the 16 Color Seasons

1. Dark Winter Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Deep Wwnter individuals boast a cool-neutral undertone, a strikingly dark value, and a neutral chroma. When it comes to curating the perfect neutral wardrobe for these stunning, deep, cool beauties, the spotlight shines on deep, cold tones. Winters, in general, have a knack for embracing contrast, but for those in the deep winter category, the key is to gravitate towards the deepest shades within the spectrum. 

Think in terms of profound blacks and carbon for a sophisticated allure, while on the contrasting end, opt for the pristine purity of white and alabaster. Consider jet and battleship shades in grays, as they seamlessly complement the deep winter palette. Also, watch for gunmetal, a rich blue-based gray that exudes elegance, and espresso, which gracefully bridges the gap between deep winter and autumn, adding a touch of warmth to the cool spectrum.

2. Light Winter Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Light winter stands a bit separate from other Winter color types because the main characteristic is lightness rather than darkness for this color type. For the light winter, the stark contrast of pure black isn't a favorable choice. Instead, it features softer variations of neutrals as the preferred shades for both light and dark neutrals:

• Embracing light grays

• Delicate cool creams

• Muted pastels 

While the dark winter palette celebrates the classic black-and-white combination, Light Winter emphasizes subtler contrasts and finds elegance in lighter, cooler tones that harmonize with its unique coloring. Delicate pastels like soft pink, icy blue, and lavender, as well as light mauves and dusty roses, introduce a touch of softness and freshness, contributing to a balanced and harmonious appearance that highlights the subtlety and coolness of their coloring.

3. Pure Winter Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Like the rest of the pure winter palette, its neutrals are characterized by striking contrast. They encompass the spectrum from very light to very dark shades. The pure winter palette includes black as part of the winter family. Bright winter’s black subtly differs from true winter’s inky black. Although the difference is nuanced, these blacks are nearly interchangeable. 

The palette boasts very dark charcoal greys, serving as additional options for dark neutrals. True white, light greys and light beiges are also present in this palette. Your coloring, black or white on their own or combined, may lack the desired intensity. Consider incorporating a brighter color to enhance your outfit and complement your overall look.

4. Soft Winter Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

A harmonious blend of neutral colors characterizes soft winter. With a soft, cool undertone, this season's palette features a range of versatile neutrals. The Soft Winter palette includes soft, medium grays that can serve as your go-to neutral shades. These grays offer a sophisticated and understated backdrop for your outfits, providing a perfect canvas for other colors. In addition to grays, soft winter's neutral wardrobe may include muted, cool browns that add warmth without overwhelming your soft, cool coloring. 

These soft browns create a balanced contrast and a cozy, earthy touch to your outfits. Those looking for lighter neutrals will find soft, delicate beiges and ivories in the palette. These light neutrals maintain the gentle, cool undertones of soft winter while providing an elegant, timeless touch to your looks.

5. Dark Spring Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Deep spring, or ‘shaded spring,’ is the 'deepest' or 'heaviest' among the four spring subseasons. Yet, it retains a relatively lighter palette than all the other seasons. Deep spring's neutral colors reflect its unique balance of depth and warmth. The palette includes rich and earthy neutrals that complement the season's vibrant and lively hues. Among the neutrals, you'll find deep, warm browns that offer your wardrobe a grounding and cozy feel. 

These browns contrast harmoniously with the brighter spring colors, creating a balanced and versatile mix. If browns prove difficult to find, navy is an excellent choice as a base for the wardrobe. Warm seasons should avoid gray, but a gray-taupe like Beaver is also an option. In the realm of neutrals, Deep spring finds its ideal match in warm browns and, under the right conditions, even bright beiges. These shades align seamlessly with the season's inherent warmth, making them the go-to choice for creating a balanced and harmonious wardrobe.

6. Light Spring Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

With its warm-neutral undertone, light value, and neutral-bright chroma, Light Spring discovers its perfect neutral colors in warm and soft shades. These delightful light spring individuals can occasionally find deep, stark colors overwhelming. Alternatives like Tuscan or soft navy are excellent substitutes for the traditional black. Complement these with shades like almond, alabaster, and rice for a gentle, refreshing white option. As light spring transitions toward the soft chroma of summer, it can beautifully embrace slightly muted browns such as beaver and cashmere for a chic and harmonious look. 

Instead of the cool and harsh true white, light spring has the option of soft yellowish, pinkish off-white, and light greenish greys. These colors provide a warmer and more flattering complement to light spring's skin tone, making them beautiful choices for light neutrals. These soft, warm neutrals enhance the cohesiveness of your wardrobe, allowing you to mix and match effortlessly while maintaining a delightful balance.

7. Soft Spring Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Before the 16-color system, most individuals with these characteristics might have been classified as soft autumn or light spring. Neither is entirely accurate, as Soft Spring seeks a softness not found in other springs, and light saturation is rare in most Autumn seasons. Now, let's explore the world of neutral colors for soft spring. 

These neutrals are gentle yet maintain a subtle saturation, setting them apart. Soft spring's neutral palette is characterized by a fusion of pure colors with a delicate hint of grey pigment, creating a harmonious blend that complements the season's overall soft aesthetic.

8. Pure Spring Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

While bright spring inherits elements from winter, such as black in its palette, it's essential to consider the variations that suit this season best. For bright spring, the optimal black options lean toward a slightly yellowish charcoal or a subtly greenish black. These shades bring warmth and offer more suitable dark neutrals than winter’s cool blue-black. 

Dark Neutrals for Bright Spring: Greyish Browns and Warm Blues

Wearing black as a standalone color may not be the most flattering choice for Bright Spring, as this season benefits from vibrant hues that enhance its appearance. It's advisable to mix black with some of the other warmer and more saturated colors found in the palette. 

As in pure spring, darker greyish browns and warm blues are available as dark neutrals. These colors contribute to the depth and versatility of your wardrobe. These options carry a touch of warmth, contrasting Winter’s cool, stark whites. They provide a more harmonious complement to the season's overall bright and warm character. Light neutrals for Bright Spring include:

• Soft white

• More yellowish off-white

• Gentle greens

9. Dark Summer Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Deep summer colors are more saturated and deep than other summer color types. Due to your depth, you are often classified as Winter. Bright, sharp, high-contrast colors may overpower your natural features. Consider smoky, deep, and cool saturated colors more suitable for you. Deep summer's neutral palette includes deep and cool greys, adding a touch of elegance to your wardrobe. The foundation colors for you are:

• Rich berry tones

• Burgundy

• Deep charcoal

• Pine green

These shades, such as charcoal and slate, seamlessly integrate into your outfits, creating a versatile canvas for your clothing choices. Choose neutrals like soft whites and off-whites with cool undertones to balance your vibrant colors’ deep and rich tones. These shades provide a refreshing contrast and enhance the overall harmony of your ensembles.

10. Light Summer Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Given your light and delicate coloring, the dark, deep shades are the least flattering colors for light summers. This means that true black, which belongs to the Winter palette, is not particularly flattering on light summers. Wearing black near your face can add years to your appearance and cause your delicate coloring to fade into the background. The closest alternatives to black in your palette include dark ash brown and dark, greyish blues, which you can incorporate as your dark neutrals. 

While light summer may have a lighter complexion, the pure whites associated with winter can still appear too harsh. These lighter shades offer a more complementary and harmonious choice for your overall look. You can access a:

• Softer and muted beige

• Light greys

• Cool-toned light browns

11. Pure Summer Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Pure colors define pure summer. Soft, cool colors are better suited to you than the stronger, purer colors of cool winter. These colors will stand out in your palette:

• Blue and cool carnations

• Aqua

• Lavender

• Greens 

On the other hand, pure summer embraces the purest and most saturated Summer colors, devoid of warmth. True white also does not go well with your appearance because even though it’s light, it’s too bright. Your neutrals can consist of:

• Grey

• Blue

• Navy colors

12. Soft Summer Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Soft summer colors, soft, cool colors suit you best. Your palette is more neutral than light summer and lighter than dark summer. Compared to light summer, your colors are more saturated, with a slight touch of gray in many shades. Most of these colors will look stunning on you:

• Most grays

• Dusty blues

• Lavenders

• Pewters

• Cool browns 

Avoid high-contrast color combinations, and remember that 'soft' is critical to choosing your colors. Steer clear of bright hues.

13. Dark Autumn Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Dark autumn finds its ideal dark neutrals in a warmer black with a subtle greenish undertone and rich, dark chocolate browns. These colors flatter your warm complexion more than true black. Now, let's explore deep autumn's neutral colors. Characterized by warm-neutral undertones, dark value, and neutral chroma, this season thrives on deeper, slightly muted warm colors. Deep autumn's neutral palette includes the darkest and deepest browns, which add depth to your wardrobe, such as: 

• Espresso

• Cognac

• Caramel

Eggshell, a darker cream, complements your rich skin tones, and lighter brown neutrals like almond and tan offer tonal variations. For near-black options, Bistro, slightly more muted than espresso, serves well. Consider a deep green-like kombu for a color-neutral choice.

14. Light Autumn Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Light autumn, often likened to a pure palette infused with white, appears brighter and more neutral due to this lightening effect. Soft, muted, and dusty colors are your ideal choices. Think of warm yellow as 'banana' or 'butterscotch' instead of vibrant sunshine. Opt for 'moss' or 'olive' over pure emerald green. Instead of stark white, choose 'ivory' or 'buttercream.' Olive is an excellent alternative to black, as black can drain your complexion. Your best neutral colors include:

• Camel

• Khaki

• Stone

• Medium brown

Avoid overly bright or dark colors.

15. Pure Autumn Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Pure autumn exudes a rich and warm glow. Black is not part of your palette. Instead, your best alternatives to black are your deepest browns and olives. The most crucial factor when selecting colors is that they should be warm and muted, and this principle extends to your neutral colors. Any warm shades of green will look stunning, as will:

• Rust

• Orange

• Deep peach

• Salmon

Some ideal neutral colors include shades like camel, taupe, and olive, which complement the warmth and richness of your vibrant hues. When picking your neutrals, ensure they have enough pigment to create the richness your color type requires. 

16. Soft Autumn Neutrals: The Key to Outfits That Pop

Soft autumn's color palette showcases deeper and more saturated hues than light autumn, yet it maintains a significant level of neutrality in contrast to the entirely warm pure autumn. Colors incorporating any degree of brown in their composition also complement soft autumn, like:

• Rust

• Brick red

• Olive

• Dark gray

Your inherent depth may lead to a potential misclassification as deep autumn, but in essence, you are characterized by rich, deeply saturated, warm colors. On the other hand, given your soft and delicate coloring, dark colors such as true black (often featured in the Winter palette) are not the most flattering choice for you. Wearing black near your face can create an aging and unhealthy appearance. 

Tailored Neutrals: Replacing Black and White with Warm Alternatives

The closest match to black within your palette is a warm, dusty, dark gray. Similarly, true white (associated with the Winter palette) appears too harsh and cool for your complexion. Your color palette omits true black and offers alternative options in the form of:

• Dark browns

• Dark grays

• Dark greens

Light neutrals in your palette are tailored to have a warm, yellowish undertone, enhancing their warmth and softening their overall effect. These light neutrals encompass a yellowish off-white, various beiges, and sandy colors, which are more flattering and harmonious with your gentle and delicate coloring.

How to Choose the Perfect Color Palette Neutrals for Your Wardrobe

Ditching the Boring Neutrals: Finding the Right Ones for You

Choosing neutrals for your wardrobe is like picking a solid, boring base flavor for ice cream. Yes, vanilla (or black, white, and beige, in this case) is a classic choice. But you can also find a flavor that fits your tastes. This will make your outfits way more enjoyable. In this case, the better your choice of neutrals works with your coloring, the more flattering and delightful your outfits will be. 

Why Neutrals Need to Make Up 50-70% of Your Wardrobe

Let’s talk about why this is important. I already told you how capsule wardrobes on Pinterest are full of neutrals. What’s most common is black, white, beige, and denim. Those are great; they are a classic set of neutrals you can use. 

Not everybody loves those neutrals, and not everybody finds those neutrals to be flattering. Remember that neutrals should make up 50 to 70% of your wardrobe. And I use this range because a different type of personality set wants 50% neutrals and 50% color versus somebody who wants 70% neutrals and 30% color. Let this range be the determining factor in how many neutrals you need in your wardrobe. 

Building a Strong Foundation: Why Neutrals are Essential for a Cohesive Wardrobe

Neutrals should be the majority of your wardrobe, whether it’s an even split majority, maybe 51/49, or more than 70, something like 80/20. This is crucial. You can’t skip this part of your wardrobe. You can’t jump past it, hoping to add fun colors and expect everything else to feel cohesive because your neutrals ground everything else. 

Choosing appropriate neutrals for you, your coloring, your skin tone, and the rest of your wardrobe creates a foundation for you to create outfits that look good together. It allows you the foundation to choose shoes and accessories that go well across your entire wardrobe, and you don’t end up with many outliers that don’t make sense.

Picking Your Primary Dark Neutral

Let’s start with black, also called a primary dark neutral. This will be the color in your wardrobe that functions as your black. Now, many of you have defaulted to black because it’s simple. You can easily find it even though you know it’s not the most flattering color you wear. Here’s the thing I want you to know: I’m never going to tell you to get rid of black in your wardrobe. 

Exploring Alternative Dark Neutrals: Beyond Black for a Flattering Wardrobe

If you need to choose a primary dark neutral and black is not it for you, the most common options you will find are deep charcoal, deep brown, or navy. Those are the most common you see and the most readily available for a dark neutral. For some of you with fair skin tones or lower contrast, black is not doing you any favors. I would encourage you to keep your black from: 

• The waist down

• Don’t put it near your face

• Keep it below the waist. 

Dark Green as a Versatile Neutral: Exploring Warm and Cool-Toned Options

Think about the color green. If you go dark, you’re looking at an almost black-green. This may be a warm-tone green, like a deep olive, or a cool-tone green, like a deep rainforest. Green can be a great neutral to have in your wardrobe. 

Beyond Black: Using Deep Purples and Reds as Stand-In Neutrals

Another option would be in the purple family; you can take purple to its deepest color before it turns black and get a dark, nearly black eggplant. You can do the same thing with red and get oxblood, which is often considered neutral in many wardrobes. Don’t get stuck thinking that it has to be black or navy. Those work well, especially with this being your primary dark neutral or black stand-in. 

You may want to choose something that you can easily find in most stores, but don’t feel like you have to be stuck in this box that you can’t choose some things outside of the typical range. 

Choosing a Primary White Neutral

The second neutral is going to be your primary white neutral. We’re looking for a neutral that is very, very light and will function in your wardrobe as your white. Like with black, not everybody is suitable for this true optic white. It’s often too harsh for many people. You may find that something like a soft white or even ivory will be a widespread replacement for the white in your wardrobe. 

If those feel too light, I encourage you to choose something deeper, like cream, bone, alabaster, or even something in the gray family, like a very light silver. 

Picking a Medium Neutral for Your Wardrobe

You have a dark neutral or black and a light neutral or white. It’s time to take your wardrobe and expand it just a little bit by adding two more neutrals outside of that category. The next neutral that I suggest you add will be a medium neutral. I’m using medium broadly here because, depending on your contrast level, chroma, as we call it in color analysis, you may find that medium neutrals don’t do you any favors. Your medium neutral may be another dark neutral or light neutral instead. 

For example, I still stick with black and white. Those are my choice of neutrals. But my medium neutral is either a deep, deep charcoal, nearly black, or a very light silver like I mentioned for the white. The purpose of this neutral, however, is to bridge the gap between the dark neutral you’ve chosen and the light neutral you’ve chosen. So you can create outfits that have a bit of a tonal look to them, such as having a navy pair of pants and then a medium gray cardigan. This adds depth to your wardrobe by giving you more neutral options. 

Bonus Neutrals: The One You Didn’t Know You Needed 

The fourth and final neutral is a bonus neutral. I call it that for a few different reasons. The reason it’s a bonus is that when we’re looking at building the first three neutrals in your wardrobe, I will often tell people to stick within the same color family. For example, if you’ve chosen dark gray for your dark neutral, soft white for my light neutral, and medium gray for your medium neutral, everything is still within the gray color family. You can do this with the brown family, the blue family, or any other color family you want. 

This bonus neutral is because I often have clients who like color neutrals. These colors function as neutrals, such as olive or blush, which were popular for a few years. Think about this neutral as being something different than what you chose originally. My four core color palettes are black, charcoal, gray, white, and navy, which I consider to be my bonus neutral because it’s a little bit of a different color family than black. 

Mixing and Matching Neutrals: How to Choose a Bonus Neutral for Added Versatility

Old conventional wisdom would tell you not to wear black and navy together, but I’ve actually found I totally love it. You do want your neutrals to work together. So that is something to consider. Ask this question to yourself: 

• What would you want to have for your bonus neutral?

• Do you want to have a gray when you have browns across the rest of your neutral?

• Would you like to have a navy to go with your grays? 

If you chose a bunch of blue-based neutrals, maybe you want that black. Maybe you’re keeping black in there as the bonus neutral to wear from the waist down, as we discussed earlier. This gives you a little extra range to your neutral color palette but doesn’t leave you stuck with wearing all black all the time.

Transform Your Wardrobe: Try WhatColors’ AI-Powered Color Analysis App

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6 Styling Tips To Effortlessly Wear Neutral Colors

1. Mix Different Textures and Fabrics to Add Interest to Outfits with Neutral Colors

Mixing textures of your neutral tones keeps outfits from falling flat. To create interest, think about pairing different fabrics together. For example, you can pair white denim with a chunky open knit topped with a cream silky scarf. The combination of fabrics creates a visually appealing outfit right from the start.

Now, consider a head-to-toe cream sweatsuit outfit. It might seem boring like you’re just lounging at home, but adding neutral pieces like a jacket and bag in different fabrics and textures will make your sweatsuit look much more enjoyable.

2. Play With Patterns for Visual Appeal

You can mix and match different patterns to create more interest while wearing neutrals. Think about combining a chunky knit with plaid or something geometric with stripes or polka dots. When mixing patterns, pair a giant print with a smaller scale to have a visually balanced look. 

3. Use Statement Accessories to Tie It All Together

Tying it all together is always key. And a good statement accessory can do just that. Take just a cream top and trousers. Kind of blah, it’s fine. But add a cool and interesting statement belt, and you’ve got a cool outfit. The same goes for a statement shoe or an interesting bag. These little details are just small touches, but they can make your head-to-toe neutral look feel much more intentional and stylish.

4. Mix Neutral Tones for a Cohesive Look

There are better times to stress about matching your neutral colors perfectly. In fact, throw that out the window and embrace different shades to make this all come together. There is no need to make sure your cream top is the same as my cream bottoms.

In your neutrals, I’d only stick to a color palette from head to toe. Creams and beiges? Go for it. Creams and cognac? Make it head to toe, and it will all feel much more cohesive. Having some repetition and consistency in your shades and tones will help to make it feel more intentional and elevated. 

5. Use Denim As a Base to Break the Monotony

If you’re nervous about wearing neutrals from head to toe, especially creams and tans, try grounding it all in denim. Any shade of blue denim would work, and it can help you try out all the mixing and matching. The same rules still apply, as I can mix and match tones and textures to create interest throughout my look. 

6. Focus on Fit to Achieve a Polished Look

Accessories are a great way to add color and personality to a neutral outfit. Amplify your look with statement jewelry, a bold handbag, or a colorful scarf. Since neutrals can be understated, paying attention to fit is key.

Opt for pieces that flatter your body shape and fit well. Tailored pieces will always look more polished than ill-fitting ones, so don’t hesitate to get your clothes altered by your local tailor if needed.  

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• How to Style Clothes
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• Fashion Tips
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• Yellow Color Combinations Clothing

Nailing a Neutral Color Palette for Your Fall Wardrobe

Ground Your Fall Wardrobe with Earthy Browns

When you think about neutral colors for fall, brown should come to mind first. One of the richest neutral colors you can add to your wardrobe is brown, so this is a great place to start. Whether it's a silky brown slip dress or a thick chocolate wool coat, brown can perfectly capture any style you choose. Use brown for foundation pieces and outerwear instead of vibrant colors to capture attention and create a sultrier or mature feel to your look.

Create Cozy Outfits Around Creams and Beiges

Since neutral color palettes became more apparent, cream, wheat, and beige pieces have become more evident and vital in building our looks. Along with browns, base your outfits around creamy pieces like knit dresses or tops that will still give you a sophisticated design but aren't as put-together or polished as real white.

Assemble Sleek Monochromatic Black Looks

Undoubtedly, black is one of the most versatile and universal hues. It's easy to style black with any other color, making it an automatic must-have in any wardrobe. Particularly when worn by itself, black is a sleek color that will create the perfect stylish monochrome look, so invest in a few black pieces that can be used to create all-black looks.

Opt for Luxurious Navy Hues

Although it may seem like blue is more saturated than the rest of the neutral color palette, it's a shade that's earned its status over time. Navy blue, in particular, is a luxurious color that can bring some sophistication to the most casual pieces thanks to its association with old-money looks. Swap lighter blue pieces for navy. 

Go for Grayoutfits

Gray is a beautiful neutral color that can help bring light or darkness into any look. If you want a moodier touch to your ensembles, a heather or charcoal gray will still add some dimension to your 'fits. On the other hand, a light gray can be the perfect addition that gives you a softer look. Combine a few gray pieces to create more monochromatic looks that will always be sophisticated and elegant.

Finish Off with Crisp White Outerwear

You may be surprised to hear that a crisp white outerwear piece is the perfect addition to your fall closet. Although there is a reasonable concern about dirtying your white outerwear piece in wet weather, this bright shade will stand out in a sea of khaki or tan coats and jackets. Opt for soft white coats or jackets that add texture to your look while providing a delicate touch to your cold-weather outfits.

How to Wear Neutrals Without Looking Boring

Create Interest with Unexpected Details

When you wear neutral colors, unexpected details add interest to your outfit and create visual intrigue. A great example is the weekend look below, featuring linen pants, a denim push-button shirt, and nude slingbacks accessorized with a string of pearls. The unexpected details are the red MOSHINO belt as a pop of color and the side slit with zipper on the legs of the pants. More on when and when not to add color. 

Style Neutral Colors with Statement Pieces

Add a traditional classic trench coat (professional), a statement bag (read “I have something to bring to the table”), and color mirrored sunglasses (read “the outfit is up-to-date,” modern). 

Style One Neutral like a Fashion Color

The outfit inspiration uses a combination of olive, light blue, gray, and beige inspired by the printed scarf. The other neutrals make the light blue leather trousers look fashionable, so the outfit only feels like some neutrals. 

Stylist tip: Repeat the neutral that you want to be the statement three times in the look. 

Styling Interesting Looks with Classic All Neutrals Color Combinations

Classic, i.e. expected combinations are:

• Browns with cream or winter white

• Gray, navy, and white (more on non-boring corporate style)

• Monochromatic combinations

• Olive with sand or khaki

• Black and white

• White and blue

• Denim on denim

Denim is a Great Neutral for Casual Friday

An often overlooked neutral is denim. Dark blue jeans always look great with a blazer and a white shirt as posh Casual Friday outfits. In America, a classic combination is blue, white, and gray. In the western US, a brown suede blazer is a great alternative to a gray wool blazer. When your work dress code allows leather, try an all neutral outfit with denim and leather. Denim jackets are an excellent cover-up for chilly evenings or mornings in summer.  

This outfit inspiration below is interesting due to the contrast between smooth (T-shirt) and different degrees of roughness (in increasing order: linen, denim, pumps). The stripes of the Tee tie the two color schemes together.

Black and White Is an Eternal Classic 

You can’t go wrong with black and white. Even though this combination pops up as a perennial trend every couple of years, it is always in style. Here’s more on how to wear black and white.

Blue and White Are a Summer Classic 

You can’t go wrong with a blueprint on a white dress or vice versa in summer. The former pairing looks very posh in a sheath or tailored cut. Just recall Princess Kate in her white-blue print dresses. A blue-white floral print shirt dress has a great Romantic Style summer-in-Provence vibe, more on styling classic blue-and-white looks. 

Blue, Black, and White – an American Classic Color Combination

Three neutrals can look like wearing color. Blue, black, and white are an American Classic style combination that is easy to create with jeans, a black blazer, and a white button-down shirt. You can also make it black dress pants, a white shirt, and a navy blue blazer. Also, try a pattern to switch the game up. 

Use Often Overlooked Neutrals like Olive and Khaki

Khaki is perfect for an urban (safari) look. When you wear a military-inspired piece, the pockets, belt, and buttons are the interest. Accessorize with a wooden beads necklace for sightseeing or a gold or pearl necklace for work, more on ageless style in the military trend. Olive looks great for military-inspired dresses, jackets, and pants. 

Pair olive with blush, white, cream khaki, burgundy, light blue, or denim. Here are more outfit ideas in olive. Another often overlooked neutral is camouflage. 

Try an Unusual Combination of Neutrals

The unusual, interesting, highly stylish combinations are:

• Petal pink with camouflage

• Brown and black

• Navy and black

• Burgundy and gray

• Olive and light blue

• Desaturated colors (more on styling looks in all gray colors)

• Brown and blush pink. 

18 Easy-To-Wear Neutral Outfit Ideas for a Stylish Fall Wardrobe

1. The Office Neutral

Use neutral colors to build a stylish office outfit to help you exude a composed look at work. Start with a pair of cream-tailored trousers to ground your look. Layer on a matching oversized white shirt and a trench coat in a similar hue. Finish the look with a latte in hand. 

2. Accessorizing with Neutrals 

The key to wearing head-to-toe neutrals is to incorporate lots of different textures into your outfit via chic accessories. A faux leather handbag in a natural hue is an easy way to do this. We love the on-trend sling shape of this cross-body bag, which comes in cream, chocolate, and black. Its adjustable strap can be worn over the shoulder or across the body. 

3. Off-Duty Neutrals 

A neutral color palette is a fail-safe option for weekend walks or work-from-home days. You can mix and match by choosing key pieces to create endless go-to outfits. We love this soft-touch ribbed jumper with its flattering V-neckline. These are perfect for transitioning to warmer weather: 

• Oatmeal-hued jumpers

• Lighter cardigans

• Knitted vests

Pair your jumper with our wide-leg cord trousers in a beautiful bitter chocolate shade, the trousers of the moment. They come in petite, regular, and long lengths, so you can easily find your perfect fit. Finish your outfit with simple metallic jewelry for a pared-back yet put-together look. 

4. Cozy in Corduroy

Sofia Richie Grainge is currently having a moment as the queen of neutral outfits. She can make simple outfits feel luxurious, as in the above picture. Pairing a simple black top with a matching brown corduroy jacket and pants set makes it easy to put a look together without a headache. 

5. Pop of Scarlet 

Many people confuse neutral outfits with monochromatic ones, and while there are many similarities, little pops of color are welcome. We love embracing the scarlet trend by pairing a light halter top with a coffee-colored skirt and some red ballet flats or mary-janes, creating a multifaceted look without being overwhelming. 

6. LBD Moment

You can never go wrong with a bit of black dress. It's a staple in any fashion closet and the building block of most wardrobes. Take the classic LBD up a notch by adding sequins and fringe. Add a coordinating shoulder bag and shoes, and you’re ready for a night out. 

7. Subtly Daring 

Just because you’re wearing a neutral outfit doesn’t mean you can’t show a little skin. Spice up a regular suit by wearing a plunge-neck bra underneath to create a bolder moment without going overboard on color. 

8. White Out 

One common fashion myth we want to debunk is that you can't wear white after Labor Day. We encourage wearing a monochromatic white and beige outfit for a chic look that works in any season. Don’t forget to add a statement necklace for a touch of whimsy. 

9. Business Casual 

With more of us returning to the office, it’s time to return to our regular workwear pieces. Keep it simple yet modern, which makes a subtle statement with a:

• Relaxed blazer

• Knit tank

• Linen maxi skirt 

10. Elevated Horse Girl

With the rise of quiet luxury, we also have the return of horsegirl style, complete with our favorite riding boots from the mid-2010s. Grab your favorite boots and create an elevated neutral outfit by pairing them with a turtleneck and white shacket. 

11. Gray Skies 

Gray can be one of the more overlooked basics, but it can create a true statement when worn well. Pair a gray long-sleeve top with a coordinating pencil skirt and dark boots that will easily transition from autumn to winter. 

12. Subtle Prep

While neutral outfits usually avoid bold patterns, don’t be afraid to play with classic prints like plaid in the right palette. Pair a dark bodysuit with a plaid micro mini skirt and a statement bag for a neutral outfit that’ll have people turning heads. 

13. Tailored Denim

Since denim is considered neutral, you'll do well to take it into unexpected territory by pairing a denim vest with some wide-leg trousers. Tie a matching sweater around your shoulders for a crisp fall look. Denim has been trending in other ways besides traditional jeans, including:

• Skirts

• Vests

• Dresses

• Jumpsuits

14. Quiet Luxury

Arguably the fashion trend of 2023, quiet luxury focuses on investing in high-quality minimalist pieces for a timeless look. This way, you fill your wardrobe with chic staples lasting years. Jasmine Tookes achieves this effortlessly with a cream coat, white knit dress, and brown Croc knee-high boots. 

15. Tailored Neutrals

Workcore (a.k.a. dressing in office-inspired pieces even for off-duty occasions) is having a major moment this fall, so achieve your neutral version of the look with a black blazer, a shirtdress, and some loafers to see the deal that you mean business. 

16. True Romance

Even when steering clear of statement colors or pieces, you can create an intentional and intriguing moment when putting together a neutral outfit. Try pairing a cropped tweed jacket with a romantic embroidered skirt and some Mary Janes for a whimsical and dreamy look. 

17. Country Club Vibes 

Even if you’re not a tennis player, get in on the preppy vibes by pairing a cropped polo top with a white pleated skirt and loafers for a neutral outfit that will get a lot of love. 

18. Shining Bright 

What's life (or an outfit) without a bit of sparkle? When you think about it, sparkly metallics are neutrals for those with maximalist taste. If you’re in that category, pair a sparkly gold skirt, a silky cropped blouse, and some barely there heels.

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