The Soft Autumn colour palette consists of warm, muted tones reflecting autumn’s transition from Summer to Winter.
For Soft Autumn men, selecting appropriate metals for accessories and jewellery is crucial in complementing skin, eye, and hair colours and thus, in elevating your aesthetic and fashion style.
In this article, we’ll explore the best metals for Soft Autumn men, gold vs. silver, and give you styling tips on the best metal accessories and jewellery by body shape, silhouette, and occasion to attend.
5 Best Metals for Soft Autumn Colours
1. Gold
Gold, in its warmer, softer tones, excels for Soft Autumn men. The warmth of gold complements the subtle, earthy tones of the Soft Autumn palette.
Ideal types of gold
– Yellow gold: 14k or 18k with a matte or brushed finish
– Rose gold: 14k with a satin finish
– Antiqued gold: Deliberately aged for a vintage appearance
Styling tip
Select a Cartier Tank Louis watch in yellow gold with a brown leather strap for a refined, versatile look suitable for business attire and formal occasions.
2. Bronze
With a rich, warm hue, bronze aligns perfectly with the Soft Autumn palette and offers a subtler alternative to gold while delivering the same level of warmth.
Ideal types of bronze
– Antique bronze: Dark, aged appearance
– Brushed bronze: Soft, matte finish
– Oil-rubbed bronze: Dark brown-black appearance with copper undertones
Styling tip
Choose bronze cufflinks from Tiffany & Co., such as their classic Atlas collection, to add sophistication to formal wear without overpowering your natural colouring.
3. Copper
Copper’s reddish-brown tone aligns beautifully with the warm, earthy hues of the Soft Autumn palette.
Ideal types of copper
– Polished copper: Bright, reflective finish
– Aged copper: Naturally darkened with green patina
– Hammered copper: Textured surface with varied light reflection
Styling tip
Add a copper tie clip from Hermès, such as their “Chaîne d’Ancre” design, to create a unique, warm accent to business-formal attire and maintain a professional appearance.
4. Pewter
Pewter is a softer alternative to silver and works well for Soft Autumn men thanks to its muted, slightly warm undertone.
Ideal types of pewter
– Brushed pewter: Soft, non-reflective finish
– Antique pewter: Darkened, aged appearance
– Polished pewter: Brighter finish, use sparingly
Styling tip
For a subtle, sophisticated detail that complements casual and semi-formal outfits, wear a pewter belt buckle from a brand like Lucchese
5. Oxidised Silver
While bright silver can appear harsh on Soft Autumn complexions, oxidised or antiqued silver complements the palette beautifully.
Ideal types of silver
– Darkened silver: Chemically treated for a grey-black appearance
– Silver with patina: Naturally aged with a blue-green tint
– Blackened silver: Deep, almost black finish
Styling tipChoose an oxidised silver chain from John Hardy, such as their Classic Chain collection, to add edge to casual outfits without clashing with your colouring.
Is Gold or Silver Better for Soft Autumns?
Gold complements the Soft Autumn palette better thanks to its innate warmth but the key lies in choosing the right tone and finish.
Soft and warm yellow gold suits Soft Autumn men as it harmonises with the palette’s warm and muted colouring.
Opt for 14k or 18k gold with a matte or brushed finish to avoid excessive shine.
On the other hand, rose gold offers a subtle, romantic alternative.
Choose 14k rose gold with a satin finish for a soft, warm glow that complements the Soft Autumn palette.
On the other hand, bright and cool silver appears harsh against Soft Autumn skin but antiqued or oxidised silver tends to work well, offering a cooler-toned option that doesn’t overpower the soft, warm palette.
For the most flattering effect, choose darkened silver or silver with a natural patina.
How to Style Metals for Your Body Shape
1. Triangle Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Wear a Canali warm taupe single-breasted suit (Milano fit) with a Turnbull & Asser ivory Sea Island cotton shirt.
Add subtle gold accents with Montblanc Meisterstück Gold-Coated Classique cufflinks and a Cartier Santos watch in yellow gold.
Complete the look with a matte gold tie clip placed between the third and fourth shirt buttons.
Casual Look
Pair Ralph Lauren olive stretch-cotton chinos with a James Perse slub cotton henley in soft gold.
Add an Anderson’s woven leather belt with an antique brass buckle and a Miansai ‘Anchor’ cuff bracelet in brushed copper.
Finish the look with Astorflex ‘Greenflex’ dark brown suede desert boots.
2. Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Formal Look
Choose a Tom Ford O’Connor charcoal suit with a Charvet cream poplin shirt.
Incorporate Dunhill rose gold barrel cufflinks and a Tiffany & Co. rose gold tie bar to add warmth to your broader shoulders.
Complete your look with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic in rose gold.
Casual Outfit Idea
Wear a Sunspel muted teal cotton-piqué polo with Officine Generale New Fisherman chinos in stone.
To match and complement the aesthetic of your upper body, wear a Shinola Runwell 47mm watch with a bronze case and brown leather strap.
Finish with Common Projects Original Achilles low-top sneakers in warm grey.
3. Rectangle Body Shape
Formal Look
Start with an Ermenegildo Zegna warm grey wool suit (Milano fit) and a Thomas Pink poplin shirt in light blue.
Accessorise with a Lanvin gold-tone tie bar and an IWC Portofino Automatic 39 watch in yellow gold and complete the look with Crockett & Jones ‘Connaught’ oxford shoes in dark brown.
Casual Look
Choose Acne Studios dark wash slim-fit jeans with a Brunello Cucinelli cashmere sweater in camel.
Add depth with layered John Hardy Classic Chain necklaces in bronze and copper, and finish the look with Viberg Service boots in brown Chromexcel leather.
4. Apple Body Shape
Formal Look
Select a Kiton navy suit (softer than black) with an Eton ecru twill shirt.
Use Deakin & Francis 18k yellow gold oval cufflinks and a Tissot Bridgeport Mechanical Skeleton pocket watch with a gold-tone chain to create vertical lines.
Complete with Edward Green ‘Berkeley’ tassel loafers in dark oak.
Casual Look
Pair Tommy Hilfiger slim-fit chinos in sage green with a John Smedley Adrian polo shirt in soft beige.
Accessorise with a Filson bridle leather belt with a pewter buckle and a Miansai ‘Forge’ leather bracelet with antiqued copper hook closure and finish with Alden ‘LHS’ penny loafers in snuff suede.
5. Trapezoid Body Shape
Formal Look
Wear a Cifonelli warm brown wool suit (Neapolitan style) with a Finamore 1925 soft ivory cotton-twill shirt.
Incorporate a mix of yellow and rose gold accessories with Bvlgari B.zero1 cufflinks in 18k yellow gold and a Piaget Altiplano watch in rose gold.
Add a Drake’s silk tie in forest green with a subtle gold pattern.
Casual Look
Choose Dockers slim-fit chinos in navy with a Luca Faloni silk-cotton knit polo in muted coral.
Add visual interest with an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra watch featuring a bronze-gold dial and brown leather strap. Complete with Carmina brown suede loafers.
6. Hourglass Body Shape
Formal Look
Opt for a Brunello Cucinelli warm grey three-piece suit with an Emma Willis light peach cotton poplin shirt.
Use Turnbull & Asser 9kt gold collar bars and Montblanc Star Legacy cufflinks in red gold to accentuate your balanced upper body.
Complete with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon watch in rose gold.
Casual Look
Wear Officine Generale New Fisherman chinos in olive with a James Perse slub cotton henley in soft gold.
Add a Belstaff V Racer jacket in hand-waxed leather with antique brass zippers and a Miansai ‘Saints’ pendant necklace in antiqued bronze to highlight your proportionate frame.
Finish with Common Projects Chelsea boots in tobacco suede.
Metal Mixing Tips for Soft Autumn Men
- Use warm-toned metals as your base (yellow gold, bronze, copper).
- Include cooler metals sparingly, choosing antiqued or oxidised finishes.
- Combine metals with similar undertones for a cohesive aesthetic.
- Position metallic accessories strategically to add warmth to your face.
- Adjust metal choices based on the occasion – reserve brighter finishes for formal events and muted ones for casual settings.
- Limit contrasting metals to two per outfit to maintain visual harmony.
- Consider your current wardrobe when buying new metal accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Soft Autumns look better in gold or silver?
Soft Autumn men appear more harmonious in gold thanks to its warm undertones that complement the Fall colour palette. However, when styled carefully, antiqued or oxidised silver can also work well.
Can Soft Autumn men wear platinum?
While bright platinum often appears too cool and stark, Soft Autumn men can select brushed or matte platinum finishes for a softer, more complementary look.
What’s the best metal for Soft Autumn men’s wedding rings?
Yellow gold (14k or 18k), rose gold (14k), or a mix of warm-toned metals prove ideal for Soft Autumn men’s wedding rings. Consider brushed or matte finishes for a softer appearance that harmonises with the Soft Autumn palette.
Can Soft Autumn men include silver in their wardrobes?
Soft Autumn men can integrate silver by selecting antiqued, oxidised, or brushed silver finishes. Combining silver with warmer metals helps incorporate it seamlessly into their palette.
Are copper accessories suitable for Soft Autumn men?
Copper accessories excel for Soft Autumn men. The warm, reddish-brown tone of copper complements their palette beautifully, adding depth and richness to their overall look.
Can Soft Autumn men wear rose gold?
Rose gold is a softer alternative to yellow gold and a flattering choice for Soft Autumn men thanks to the warm, pinkish hue that harmonises well with their colour palette.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant, heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style, in less than 5 minutes, by yourself, for free, thanks to our 4 simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours and you have to make sure that each hue complements your natural colour.
For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste – the first styling assessment is on us!