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What’s This About
The colours Soft Autumn men usually find hardest to wear near the face are very bright, very cool or stark shades, such as stark white, neon pink, electric blue and icy pastels; softer, warmer versions are easier.
For each colour this guide gives an alternative, such as
ivory or cream instead of stark white
muted teal or dusty blue instead of electric blue
olive or sage instead of cool emerald
charcoal or deep brown instead of black near the face
and many more!
These are starting comparisons, not bans, because dress codes, uniforms and colours you love still have a place.
Key Points
01Soft Autumn is the most muted Autumn palette, with a warm lean
02Very bright or very cool colours are easiest to wear away from the face
03Layers and accessories in your best colours can soften a colour you must wear
04White shirts and black dinner suits remain correct where a dress code requires them
The Soft Autumn colour palette consists of muted colours with a warm lean; it is the softest of the Autumn palettes and sits next to Soft Summer, its cooler neighbour.
For gentlemen exploring the Soft Autumn palette, knowing which colours are harder to wear is as useful as knowing which colours to wear, helping you create a fashion style that works with your colouring.
In this article, we show you 10 colours that are often harder to wear with the Soft Autumn colours, explain why, and suggest how to wear them when you need to, at work or school.
10 Colours Soft Autumn Men Find Harder to Wear
1. Stark White
Stark white can look sharp next to softer colouring, which is why many Soft Autumn men prefer off-whites near the face. White shirts remain correct where a dress code calls for them.
Replace with soft whites, cream, or ivory.
Styling tip. For a more harmonious look, replace stark white dress shirts with ivory or ecru options from Turnbull & Asser.
2. Bright Yellow
Vibrant, sunny yellows can overpower the palette’s softer warmth and draw attention away from your face.
Replace it with muted gold, amber, or mustard tones.
Styling tip. For a flattering casual look, wear fine merino wool sweaters in soft gold rather than bright yellow.
3. Neon Pink
Neon pink is far brighter and cooler than the Soft Autumn palette, so it tends to dominate.
Replace with muted rose, salmon, or terracotta shades.
Styling tip. For a pop of colour, select a Drake’s pocket square in muted rose rather than neon pink.
4. Electric Blue
Electric blue is brighter and cooler than the palette and can look disconnected from softer colours.
Replace it with muted teal, dusty blue, or slate blue.
Styling tip. Wear an Emma Willis shirt in dusty blue instead of electric blue for a more complementary look.
5. Bright Red
Vivid, true reds are more intense than the palette and can draw attention away from your face.
Replace with warm burgundy, rust, or terracotta shades.
Styling tip. Choose a Loro Piana cashmere scarf in warm burgundy rather than bright red for a luxurious accent.
6. Cool Lavender
Cool lavender leans blue, away from the palette’s warm lean, and can look flat next to softer, warmer colours.
Swap it for warm mauve or soft plum shades.
Styling tip. If you’re drawn to purple hues, select a Bigi Cravatte Milano tie in a warm mauve tone instead of cool lavender.
7. Icy Pastels
Icy pastels, such as mint green or baby blue, are cooler and lighter than the palette.
Replace with warmer, more muted versions of these colours, such as sage green or dusty blue.
Styling tip. Replace an icy mint green polo with a Brunello Cucinelli sage green cotton-piqué polo for a more flattering casual look.
8. Black
Pure black is not off-limits, but near the face it can look strong against softer colouring.
Replace it with soft black, charcoal, or deep brown shades.
Styling tip. Choose a Tom Ford O’Connor suit in charcoal instead of pure black for business wear; for black tie, a black or midnight blue dinner suit is still expected.
9. Bright Orange
Vivid orange is warm but far more intense than the muted palette, so it tends to dominate.
Replace with muted terracotta, peach, or warm coral tones.
Styling tip. Select an Incotex cotton-twill chino in muted terracotta rather than bright orange for a subtle nod to warm hues.
10. Cool Emerald Green
Cool, vivid emerald green is clearer and cooler than the palette.
Swap it for olive green, sage, or muted forest green.
Styling tip. Wear a Barbour Ashby waxed jacket in olive rather than emerald green for outerwear that complements your colouring.
Seasonal Colour Shift Analysis
Through the year, what is in the shops, the layers you wear and the light all change, so adapt fabrics to the weather and keep treating colour as a comparison, not a calendar rule.
Summer
In summer, brighter colours are everywhere; these softer swaps keep the season’s lightness.
Instead of neon pink, wear a pocket square in a muted coral.
Replace electric blue with a dusty cornflower blue in a linen shirt.
Swap bright yellow for a soft gold in lightweight summer knitwear.
Autumn
Autumn shops are full of warm, earthy colours, though some trends are brighter than the palette.
Instead of bright orange, wear terracotta or burnt sienna.
Replace cool emerald green with olive or sage in autumn layers.
Winter
Winter often brings starker colours; here is how to adapt.
Instead of stark winter white, wear cream or ivory in knitwear and accessories.
Replace icy pastels with their warmer, more muted counterparts in winter accessories.
Swap black for deep brown or charcoal in winter coats and formal wear.
Spring
Spring colours can be vibrant and challenging, but you can adapt in a few ways.
Wearing muted sage instead of bright mint green in spring jackets.
Replacing cool lavender with warm mauve in spring accessories.
Opting for soft coral instead of bright orange in spring knitwear.
Colour Correction Techniques
In certain cases, you may need to wear colours that aren’t ideal for your Soft Autumn palette, such as in uniforms for work, school, or even gifted garments.
Here are some ways to wear colours outside your palette.
Layering
Use layering to minimise the impact of unflattering colours.
Wear a camel or olive green cardigan over a stark white shirt.
Layer a warm brown blazer over a cool lavender shirt.
Accessories
Employ accessories in flattering colours near your face.
Add a warm-toned scarf when wearing a cool-toned coat.
Use a muted gold tie to balance a bright blue shirt.
Hair and Beard
Your hair and beard are part of the picture.
Compare the outfit with your current hair and beard, and adjust garments or accessories if you want a different effect; see our guide to men’s hairstyles for options.
You do not need to change your skin or hair. Follow the dress code and add a scarf or layer in a colour you prefer near your face.
Styling Advice by Body Type
1. Triangle Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Wear a Canali charcoal single-breasted suit (check the jacket’s drop against your chest and waist; a tailor can take in or let out the waist) and a Turnbull & Asser ivory cotton twill shirt.
Accessorise with a Hermès tie in muted teal and Allen Edmonds ‘Park Avenue’ dark brown calf leather oxfords.
Casual Outfit Idea
Wear Ralph Lauren olive stretch-cotton chinos (regular fit) with a James Perse henley shirt in warm taupe.
Match with a Loro Piana cashmere-blend bomber jacket in camel, and finish the look with Astorflex ‘Greenflex’ dark brown suede desert boots.
2. Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Select a Thom Sweeney warm grey wool-mohair blend suit with an Emma Willis cream silk evening shirt.
Add a Tom Ford silk knit tie in muted burgundy and complete with George Cleverley dark brown leather oxford shoes.
Casual Outfit Idea
Combine Incotex dusty blue cotton-stretch chinos (slim fit) with a Sunspel long-sleeve polo in soft gold.
Layer with a Boglioli unstructured blazer in warm taupe and complete with Carmina brown suede loafers.
3. Rectangle Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Choose an Ermenegildo Zegna warm brown wool suit (Milano fit for a slightly nipped waist) with a Thomas Pink ecru cotton poplin shirt.
Add a Drake’s muted sage green silk grenadine tie and Crockett & Jones ‘Connaught’ cognac calf leather oxfords.
Casual Outfit Idea
Select Polo Ralph Lauren dark indigo selvedge denim jeans with a Gitman Vintage brushed-cotton shirt in muted coral.
Layer with a Filson olive Tin Cloth Cruiser waxed cotton jacket and complete with Viberg Service boots in brown chromexcel leather.
4. Oval Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Choose a Kiton warm taupe single-breasted suit (with a slightly looser fit for comfort) paired with an Eton light blue cotton-twill shirt.
Add a Drake’s wool-silk tie in muted forest green and Edward Green ‘Chelsea’ oxford shoes in dark oak.
Casual Outfit Idea
Select Corneliani olive wool-blend trousers (pleated for comfort) with a John Smedley merino wool polo shirt in warm grey.
Add a Valstar ‘Valstarino’ suede bomber jacket in camel and finish with Alden ‘LHS’ penny loafers in snuff suede.
5. Trapezoid Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Opt for a Cesare Attolini warm burgundy wool suit (Napoli fit to showcase the balanced proportions) with a Finamore 1925 ivory cotton poplin shirt.
Add a Bigi Cravatte Milano silk tie in muted teal and Gaziano & Girling ‘Gable’ oxford shoes in dark brown.
Casual Outfit Idea
Select Incotex slim-fit chinos in warm taupe with a Luca Faloni fine silk-cotton knit polo in sage green.
Layer with a Private White V.C. waxed cotton field jacket in olive and complete with Common Projects Original Achilles low-top sneakers in warm grey.
6. Hourglass Body Shape
Formal Outfit Idea
Opt for a Cifonelli warm grey double-breasted suit for business or a cocktail event, worn with a Charvet soft ivory cotton shirt; for black tie, switch to a black or midnight blue dinner suit with black shoes.
Accessorise with a Rubinacci silk jacquard pocket square in muted burgundy and Gaziano & Girling ‘Canterbury’ whole-cut shoes in dark brown.
Casual Outfit Idea
Select Officine Générale New Fisherman chinos in muted teal with a John Smedley fine merino wool sweater in soft gold.
Layer with a Barbour ‘Bedale’ waxed jacket in rustic brown and complete with Tricker’s ‘Stow’ country boots in acorn antique calf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the worst colours for Soft Autumn men to wear?
The colours most often listed as harder for Soft Autumn men are stark white, bright yellow, neon pink, electric blue, bright red, cool lavender, icy pastels, pure black, bright orange and cool emerald green. They are brighter, cooler or starker than the palette, so they tend to dominate near the face.
Q. Why should Soft Autumn men avoid bright colours?
Very bright colours are far more intense than the palette’s muted colours, so they tend to draw attention from the face. Small, deliberate accents can still work.
Q. Can Soft Autumn men ever wear black?
Black is not off-limits; charcoal or deep brown are softer alternatives near the face. For black tie, a black or midnight blue dinner suit remains expected, with a burgundy dinner jacket as an optional variation where the event allows.
Q. What colours should Soft Autumn men wear instead of white?
Many Soft Autumn men prefer ivory, cream or ecru to stark white near the face; keep white where the dress code calls for it.
Q. How can Soft Autumn men wear blue without choosing electric blue?
Soft Autumn men can wear blue by choosing muted, warmer versions such as dusty blue, slate blue, or muted teal. These shades complement the Soft Autumn palette without the harshness of electric blue.
Q. Are there any typically “summer” colours that Soft Autumn men should avoid?
Icy pastels, bright coral and vivid turquoise are often harder to wear; softer versions such as soft peach, muted coral or dusty teal are easier.
Q. Can Soft Autumn men incorporate red into their wardrobe but not bright red?
Soft Autumn men can incorporate red by choosing warmer, muted versions such as burgundy, rust, or terracotta. These shades provide the warmth of red without overwhelming the Soft Autumn complexion.
Q. What should Soft Autumn men do if they must wear unflattering colours for uniforms or dress codes?
When required to wear unflattering colours, Soft Autumn men should try to keep them away from their faces. Use Soft Autumn-friendly colours in accessories or layers close to the face to counteract the effects of less flattering hues.
Q. Can Soft Autumn men wear neon colours in small amounts?
A neon accent can be a deliberate contrast. If you prefer a softer effect, try a muted version or a smaller area.
Q. How can Soft Autumn men choose the right shade of green to wear?
Soft Autumn men should choose warm, muted greens like olive, sage, or muted forest green. These shades complement their colouring better than cool or bright greens like emerald or lime.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before you go, here is a simple way to put this guide into practice, and when to ask an image consultant for help.
Professional styling starts with knowing your body shape and seasonal colour palette, which help you choose clothes that fit well, in colours that suit your skin, eyes and hair.
Our guides also cover styling by occasion, location, season and time of day, garments, footwear, accessories and heritage fashion brands.
Take our three quizzes to find your body shape, seasonal colour palette and fashion style, then book a consultation if you want personal help.
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 body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Seasonal Colours
The garments in your outfits come in many colours, so it helps to check which colours suit your natural colouring.
For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your personal fashion style.
To find it, take our fashion style quiz for men; it suggests a style direction, outfit ideas and relevant fashion brands.
Personal Help from The VOU
For personal help, you can book paid consultations with our image consultants and fashion stylists.
Our styling services for men are paid consultations; the shop page lists what each one includes.
Wearing luxury brands is not enough on its own (see our guide to logo-heavy luxury brands and how to wear them); knowing your body shape, colour palette and personal style first makes styling by occasion, location, season and time of day easier.
Contact us to book a consultation once you have taken the three quizzes.