7 Trend-Proof Autumn Colours I Wear When I Want to Look Put-Together

I think it's fair to say that no one gets dressed with the desired outcome of looking "cheap", but assembling an outfit that makes you look richer than you are? That requires deliberate effort, especially when you're working to a budget. Though I'm an editor, I like to keep my fashion expenditure to a minimum; I come from a working-class family so I was taught how to make my pounds stretch. As such, I've become something of an expert at making my outfits look more expensive than they are, and by far the easiest way I do this is with colour.

Spoiler alert: If you're into bright colours, this may not be the shopping edit for you. However, if you're interested in learning a foolproof way to make your ensembles look premium, I suggest you stick around, for I'm about to reveal the expensive-looking autumn colours that always appear high-end, regardless of how much you actually spend on them. On the cusp of autumn, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate your wares. Often, sorting through items you already own and reacquainting yourself with them is the first step towards honing your new-season aesthetic. Do so, and I'm willing to bet that you already have some of these colours in your drawers.

Choosing which colours to wear is of course a personal choice, but in the interest of bringing you an impartial edit, I ran my selects past my esteemed colleagues, and they agree—these colours equate to a luxury-looking wardrobe. So, what are you waiting for?

Scroll on to see the seven expensive-looking autumn colours I'll be wearing to look the stylish part this season. And, should you find yourself lacking pieces in any of these hues, I've rounded up a handful of shoppable pieces for each.

7 Expensive-Looking Autumn Colours That Will Never Date:

1. NAVY

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693316175117-main

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Style Notes: Anyone who subscribes to a palette of neutrals is likely to have some navy knocking about in their wardrobe, and if the runways are anything to go by, it's set to be one of the biggest colour trends this autumn.

Shop the Colour:

2. CREAM

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693314493266-main

(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

Style Notes: If you love wearing white in the summer months, warm things up come autumn by turning your attention to cream. Although similar, I'd argue that off-white tones look even more premium than their stark counterparts, particularly when knitwear and jersey are involved.

Shop the Colour:

3. BROWN

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693315967008-main

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: Fashion people are already embracing the earthy richness of brown—a timeless hue that harmonises with autumn’s surroundings, lending a warm and polished touch to any wardrobe. Wear with other brown pieces to tap into the quiet-luxury aesthetic. 


Shop the Colour:

4. OLIVE

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693315103310-main

(Image credit: @javiera)

Style Notes: I love black (more on that later) but when I feel the need to shake up my style, olive green is the first colour I switch in. Equally as versatile, I'd go as far as to say wearing it with all the other shades on this list will, in turn, make them more expensive-looking, just by being in the presence of olive green.

Shop the Colour:

5. OXBLOOD

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693315889093-main

(Image credit: @iliridakrasniqi)

Style Notes: Oxblood is a deep shade that speaks of luxury. A pair of oxblood, leather shoes worn with something in silk creates a textured ensemble perfect for autumn evenings. That, or consider an oxblood coat or jacket to add refinement to your daily outfits.

Shop the Colour:

6. BLACK

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693316253144-main

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Although black never goes out of style and transcends seasons, there's no denying it's ability to make you look polished and elevated, especially when you wear it top to toe. Right now I'm seeing more all-black outfits than ever. Use silhouettes and volume to give yours a stylish point of difference.

Shop the Colour:

7. TAUPE

expensive-looking-autumn-colours-309143-1693316077186-main

(Image credit: @isabellecoheen)

Style Notes: Taupe's muted charm comes into its own by way of its versatile styling potential—in fact, I can't think of another colour this pleasing shade doesn't go with. However, worn with black accessories and staples such as blue jeans and white shirts, this hue is holds its own in the style stakes.

Shop the Colour:

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.