2023 Fall Color Palette + Fresh Fabrics & Textures, too!

Empty Nest Blessed by Suzy Mighell
picture of color swatches of 2023 fall fashion color palette

The temperatures may still be in the triple digits where you live, but make no mistake: fall fashion is here and we’re ready for it! It’s going to be a fun fall for fashion, and today, I’m sharing the major color, fabric, and texture trends you need to watch for as you shop! (More next week on everything else fall fashion 2023!)

This post is the first we’re going to do on the fashion side of fall, but make sure and read my post on Fall Decor! I know you’re eager to bring out the pumpkins, and adding fresh decor is always fun. I usually buy at least one thing every year, and my weakness is doormats! I’m dying for THIS Hello Pumpkin doormat this year. I always say, “Hey, pumpkin!” to my daughter when she calls me, so the doormat seems perfect!📱🎃 This doormat is on my Amazon Fall Favorites list, which you can find HERE.

But I digress! We’ve been working on big posts for next week on the trending fall styles you’re going to see everywhere this year! (So excited to share that with you!) But as we worked on it, we decided we needed to share this post with you first! Trending colors, textures, and fabrics are a BIG part of trending fashion, and we wanted you to know what to look for as you shop.

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As always, click on any pink text link or image for more information, to see color options, and to shop.

Fall Fashion Trending Colors

As you shop this fall, these are the colors you’ll see everywhere! From clothing and accessories to shoes, working these trending colors into your fall wardrobe is an easy and quick way to update your look.

2023 Fall Color Palette

Let’s get your eyes 👀used to the colors you’re going to be seeing everywhere this year!

Chocolate Brown

Probably the biggest news in color is that chocolate brown is BACK. If you love black, that’s fine! But just know that in terms of the new go-with-everything neutral, this year, chocolate brown is a fresher look.

Bordeaux

This classy red wine hue looks great on those of you with fair skin! It’s deep, rich and full.

Navy Blue

For years, navy blue has been kind of hard to find! But this year, it’s back! I love it because it looks so clean when paired with other colors, and it pairs beautifully with dark denim for a leg-lengthening monochromatic look. Check out this classic dress, these fabulous western-style navy booties, and these flattering pants with button detail.

Olive Green

It may be tough to distinguish from its first cousin, sage—but it’s definitely different! Olive has more of a yellow undertone, whereas sage has a blueish undertone. This pretty ruffle neck lightweight sweatshirt (that doesn’t look like a sweatshirt!) is a great example of this hue, as are THESE beautiful booties.

Aubergine

Also referred to as “eggplant,” this deep purple color has a brown undertone! When cabi sent me THIS pretty Johnny collar sweater, it looked chocolate brown to me, but when I paired it with this stunning aubergine velvet blazer (also from cabi), I could see its true hue emerge!

Gold

Say a big sayonara to that browny mustard gold tone that everyone hated the past few years! (I personally liked it, but it seemed like I was the only one! 😂) This year’s gold is a deeper version of that spring yellow we saw this year. I love gold, and I already bought THIS sweet lightweight sweatshirt (that doesn’t look like a sweatshirt!) and THIS Johnny Collar sweater for fall.

Cherry Red

This year’s red tone leans coral, with slight orange undertones. It pops!

Terracotta

Not quite rust, not quite caramel brown, terracotta is such a delicious hue. Chico’s built their new fall line around this color, calling it “Paprika.” Check it out HERE.

Color trends come and go, but no color fully disappears! Just like every year, a few colors are fading in popularity, and a few that were hot last year or earlier this year are still around. Here’s the rundown on fading colors and the still-hot hues.
Suzy’s Pro Tip: Remember, if you like a color and you know it looks good on you, you should wear it, no matter what’s in style!

Fading

  • Black
  • Bright White
  • Grass Green
  • Seafoam Blue
  • Blush Pink
  • Slate Blue
  • Hunter Green
  • Mustard Yellow

Still-Hot:

  • Sage
  • Rust
  • Caramel Brown
  • Barbie Pink
  • Jewel Tones

Fall Fashion Trending Fabric & Textures

Many of the fabrics and textures below are ones we see every year during fall and winter. But this year, they’re having a MOMENT and showing up in a big way in unexpected places!

Metallics

You’ll still see plenty of gold, but look for silver to outpace it in the metallic category. You’ll see metallics popping up in clothing for sure, but also look for silver jewelry to make a comeback.

Tweed

Is there anything that says fall better than a yummy tweed blazer or skirt? Look for tweed on handbags and more this season!

Corduroy

Corduroy somehow always brings back memories of elementary school. (SO cute in my bell bottom cords! 😂) It’s BACK, and so much fun to see in places like this utility-style skirt, a brightly colored blazer, and this cute dress!

Faux Leather

Faux leather is still going STRONG! Again, you should look for it in new and unusual places like the trending midi skirt and this henley with leather sleeves!

Your Spanx faux leather leggings are still great, of course (and you should wear them!), but let’s be honest, they don’t really look like leather. For fall 2023, look for faux leather that has more of a true leather look and texture. Look for faux leather skirts, faux leather jeans, pants, wide-leg crops, shirts, dresses, and more.
Suzy’s Pro Tip: Your faux leather moto jacket is fading. This year, consider a faux leather blazer (Like THIS ONE that I own.)to take it’s place.

Next week, we’re excited to bring you posts on the fall fashion trends, followed by fall shoe trends, and accessories trends on its heels! These posts take a long time to put together, but we’re here to serve you and bless you, so every moment is worth it! Thank you for your patience.

After all of that fashion content, I’m looking forward to jumping back in with some posts about things like 5 great ways to stay in touch with your adult kids who live out of town, my first-time grandma must-haves, my arm workout (After I published THIS post, I started getting requests for that!🤣), and lots more!

Let me know your favorite color from our fall color palette in the comments, okay? I’m leaning into chocolate brown! What about you?

Thank you for sharing my content!
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9 Comments

  1. Sad time for those of us who can wear none of the fall colors. Tends to make us look like muddy roads. Thank goodness for navy!
    Suzan

    1. Suzan,

      I hear you! I think navy is a great choice for you, and keep wearing your black! It’s a great time to work in textures like patent, suede, and faux leather! Look for those in navy and you’ll be all set!

      xoxo
      Suzy

  2. Love these fall colors. I am considered an Autumn so all these are perfect for me. I already have so much chocolate brown , eggplant, & terracotta that I do not need to buy a thing!

  3. Love the color palette for Fall! The only color I feel might not work is brown due to my hair color now. I was always a big fan of brown. I also like that you mentioned colors that continue to work for this Fall. As always Suzy you make it easy with your blog! Thank you so much!

    Best,
    Nancy <3

    1. Nancy,

      Knowing your coloring, I do think you can do the brown this year, Nancy! But if you don’t feel comfortable in it, then don’t, for sure!

      Thank you for your comment and kind words!

      xoxo
      Suzy

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