From rich merlot to digital lavender: the color trends dominating this season

A fresh palette: The colors defining the season

As the seasons shift, so does the sartorial mood. We pack away the neons of summer and welcome a more nuanced, sophisticated color story. But this year, it’s not just about predictable autumnal shades. The runways and street style stars have spoken, delivering a palette that feels both comforting and exhilarating. It’s a beautiful contradiction—a blend of deep, grounding earth tones and surprising, digitally-inspired brights that inject a much-needed dose of optimism into our wardrobes.

Forget the old rules that dictate dark colors for colder months and brights for warmer ones. This season is all about personal expression. The reigning color trends offer a spectrum of possibilities, from the quiet luxury of a head-to-toe slate grey ensemble to the bold statement of a fiery apricot coat. It’s about finding the shades that resonate with you and learning how to weave them seamlessly into your existing style.

Here at KIQIZ, we’ve scoured the collections from Paris to New York and kept a close eye on the celebrity trendsetters to bring you the definitive guide to the colors you’ll be seeing everywhere. Get ready to embrace a new chapter in color and redefine your personal style for the months ahead.

Rich merlot: The sophisticated sip of color

Move over, classic red. This season’s most coveted shade is its deeper, more mysterious cousin: merlot. This rich, intoxicating burgundy hue, with its subtle brown and purple undertones, exudes a sense of opulence and sophistication. It’s a color that feels expensive, whether it’s in the form of a cashmere sweater or a faux leather trench coat. It dominated runways, appearing in luxurious velvet suits and flowing silk gowns, proving its versatility and timeless appeal.

Why it’s trending

In a world leaning towards ‘quiet luxury’ and investment pieces, rich merlot fits perfectly. It’s less ostentatious than a bright cherry red but carries more depth and personality than a simple black or navy. It’s a power color that whispers confidence rather than shouting it, making it ideal for both professional settings and elegant evening events.

How to wear rich merlot

Styling this shade is surprisingly effortless. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your look:

• The monochromatic statement: A head-to-toe merlot look is the ultimate power move. Think of a tailored pantsuit, a knit dress paired with matching boots, or a skirt and sweater combination. The key is to play with textures—mix leather with wool, or silk with suede—to add dimension.
• As a chic accent: If you’re hesitant to go all-in, merlot accessories are your best friend. A structured handbag, a pair of elegant pumps, or a leather belt can instantly elevate a neutral outfit.
• Unexpected color pairings: Merlot works beautifully with classic neutrals like camel, cream, and grey. For a more fashion-forward approach, try pairing it with soft pink for a romantic feel or a deep navy for a chic, preppy vibe.

Celebrity inspiration

Look to style icons like Zendaya and Hailey Bieber, who have been spotted in this luxurious hue. They’ve demonstrated its power in everything from stunning red carpet gowns to off-duty leather jackets, proving merlot is a certified A-list favorite.

Earthy olive green: The new neutral

Ground yourself in style with the season’s most versatile shade: olive green. This isn’t the stark, military-inspired khaki of the past, but a softer, more nuanced range of earthy greens that evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature. From muted sage to deep forest green, this color family is taking over as the go-to neutral for those looking to add a touch of color without overwhelming their look. It’s a grounding force in any wardrobe, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual beige and grey.

Why it’s trending

The collective move towards wellness and nature is heavily influencing fashion. Olive green captures this mood perfectly. It’s a color that feels both organic and chic, practical and polished. It’s utilitarian roots give it a cool, effortless vibe, while its presence in luxe fabrics like satin and silk elevates it to new heights of sophistication.

How to wear earthy olive green

Olive green is a true chameleon, adapting to any style or occasion:

• Utility chic: Embrace the color’s origins with a classic trench coat, a pair of wide-leg cargo pants, or a stylish boiler suit. Pair these with simple white sneakers or black boots for an effortlessly cool look.
• Elegant evenings: An olive green satin slip dress or a silk blouse is an unexpected yet incredibly chic choice for a night out. The color looks stunning paired with gold jewelry.
• Clever color combinations: Olive is the perfect base for other colors to shine. It looks incredible with cream, black, and denim. For a modern twist, try pairing it with lavender or a soft butter yellow for a pop of contrast.

Celebrity inspiration

Gigi Hadid and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are masters of incorporating olive green into their enviable street style. They often use it as a sophisticated neutral, styling olive trousers or jackets with simple, high-quality basics for a look that is both relaxed and impeccably put-together.

Digital lavender: The dreamy dose of dopamine

Just when you thought pastels were reserved for spring, ‘digital lavender’ emerges as a key player for the season. This isn’t a saccharine, sweet purple; it’s a hazy, almost futuristic shade with a greyish undertone that feels modern and serene. It reflects our increasingly digital lives, offering a sense of calm and escapism. Named a color of the year by trend forecasters, it represents wellness and digital optimism, making it the perfect shade to lift your spirits.

Why it’s trending

Digital lavender bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds. It’s a calming, gentle color that feels both soothing and visually interesting. In a season of often heavy, dark tones, this light and airy hue provides a welcome and refreshing contrast, proving that soft colors can have a powerful impact.

How to wear digital lavender

Don’t be intimidated by this unique shade. It’s easier to wear than you might think:

• A cozy statement: The easiest way to wear digital lavender is in a piece of knitwear. A chunky sweater or a soft cardigan in this hue adds a touch of dreaminess to any outfit, especially when paired with simple blue jeans or grey trousers.
• Sleek separates: Try a lavender silk blouse tucked into a white or cream skirt for a soft, ethereal look. A pair of tailored lavender trousers can also be a surprisingly versatile and chic addition to your work wardrobe.
• Accessorize with intent: For a subtle nod to the trend, incorporate lavender through your accessories. A small handbag, a pair of heels, or even a swipe of lavender eyeshadow can provide that perfect pop of color.

Celebrity inspiration

Trendsetters like Florence Pugh and Taylor Swift have embraced this dreamy hue on and off the red carpet. They show how it can be worn in a powerful monochromatic look or as a soft, romantic element in a larger ensemble, highlighting its versatile and captivating nature.

Fiery apricot: The unexpected burst of energy

Get ready for a jolt of joyful color. Fiery apricot, a vibrant and energetic mix of orange and pink, is the season’s official mood-booster. This optimistic shade refuses to be ignored, bringing warmth and vitality to the greyest of days. It’s the continuation of the ‘dopamine dressing’ trend, which focuses on wearing colors that make you feel good. And it’s hard not to smile when you’re wearing a color this radiant.

Why it’s trending

After years of playing it safe with neutrals, fashion is having fun with color again. Fiery apricot is expressive, confident, and full of life. It’s a statement of optimism and a refusal to fade into the background. It’s the perfect color for anyone looking to inject some personality and playfulness into their style.

How to wear fiery apricot

This bold shade can be adapted to any comfort level:

• Full-on fire: For the truly brave, a fiery apricot dress or coat is an unforgettable statement. Keep the rest of your accessories neutral to let the color take center stage.
• The controlled pop: The most accessible way to wear this trend is with a single piece. A vibrant apricot blouse under a navy blazer or a bright sweater paired with dark wash jeans creates a balanced and stylish look.
• Perfect pairings: Apricot looks stunning against deep, rich browns and classic denim. It also pairs beautifully with cream and beige, which help to soften its intensity and create a warm, inviting palette.

Celebrity inspiration

Keep an eye on street style stars during fashion week. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, who aren’t afraid of a bold color moment, are often seen in similar vibrant tones, proving that a shock of color is the quickest way to make a fashionable impact.

Slate grey: The cornerstone of chic

Finally, we have the anchor of the seasonal palette: slate grey. More complex than a simple light grey and softer than a harsh black, this deep, cool-toned grey is the epitome of understated elegance. It’s the ultimate base color, providing a sophisticated canvas for the season’s other, more vibrant trends. Think of tailored wool coats, perfectly cut trousers, and luxurious cashmere knits—all in this timeless, versatile shade.

Why it’s trending

Slate grey is the hero of the ‘quiet luxury’ and minimalist aesthetics. It’s a color that signifies quality and longevity over fleeting trends. It’s effortlessly chic, endlessly versatile, and provides a sense of calm and composure to any look. It’s the new black—a foundational color that every wardrobe needs.

How to wear slate grey

The beauty of slate grey lies in its simplicity and versatility:

• A textural story: A monochromatic slate grey outfit is anything but boring when you play with textures. Combine a chunky grey knit with sleek grey leather pants, or a wool blazer with a silk camisole.
• The perfect base: Use slate grey as the foundation for your outfit and add a pop of one of the season’s other trend colors. A grey suit with a fiery apricot bag or a grey dress with rich merlot boots is a masterclass in modern styling.
• Effortless tailoring: Invest in a well-made slate grey blazer or a pair of wide-leg trousers. These are timeless pieces that will serve as the backbone of your wardrobe for years to come.

Celebrity inspiration

Look to minimalist mavens like Kendall Jenner and the Olsen twins. They have long understood the power of a perfect grey, frequently using it in layered, impeccably tailored looks that are the definition of modern sophistication.

Embrace the colors of the season

This season’s color palette is a beautiful study in balance—it’s about grounding yourself with timeless, sophisticated neutrals while simultaneously allowing yourself to play with joyful, optimistic brights. The most important rule? There are no rules. Use this guide as inspiration, but ultimately, let your personal style lead the way. Whether you’re drawn to the quiet confidence of slate grey or the vibrant energy of fiery apricot, embrace the power of color to express who you are.