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Today, I’m sharing 5 classic color combinations to help you to sew a cohesive fall wardrobe.
Fall is such an inspiring season with all the cozy sweaters and layers and textures—but sometimes I get a little overwhelmed and end up buying a bunch of fabric I never use.
I’ve found that building a palette for the season really helps.
In today’s video, I walk through some of my favorite color palettes for fall that always look chic (without being boring). Take these and tweak them to create a fall palette that works for you. I also share tons of fabric ideas to help you create your new favorite fall outfits.
Let’s take a closer look at these 5 fall color combinations!
Color Combination #1: Olive and Cream
The first color combination is olive and cream. This color combo is great for fall, because traditional olive drab is used in a lot of utility clothing and as we move into fall and shifting weather, it’s good to have these pieces on hand.
When you’re pairing with olive, using white can often feel too stark, so cream is a softer alternative. It’s ideal because it still gives the contrast that you want without looking too utilitarian.
Cream also has a little bit of a vintage vibe and it can read more feminine and less menswear.
So, now let’s talk about the fabric
Olive colors are great for bottoms, like pants. So, look for canvas and corduroy which will give you that sturdy, utilitarian vibe.
For cream colors, sew a top or blouse. Think silks, rayon, soft cottons, and knitwear. The soft nature of these fabric will contrast beautifully with the sturdier olive fabrics.
Here are some Seamwork patterns that will show off this color combo so nicely.
For fall, flared pants look really great. Try [the Chelsea flared jeans](https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/chelsea pattern in an olive corduroy.
I’ve made them in corduroy, and I love them. ]Here’s a link to a video I made about this project](https://www.seamwork.com/articles/6-tips-for-hacking-a-pants-sewing-pattern).
The Rhett chore coat is a fun option for outerwear. It’s a little more casual, but you can dress it up with the turtleneck underneath.
I found this olive-colored herringbone twill at Sewing Studio. The twill weave gives it this great texture, which would look beautiful layered with a solid-colored cream blouse or turtleneck.
For the blouse, sew the Dara top in a cream color, like this example here. This pattern also has lace inserts, which look so nice in cream.
I found some really pretty cotton voile at Style Maker Fabrics. It would be so lovely for a fall blouse.
Another option is a knit turtleneck or mock neck top. They always look so classic in cream, and you can layer them under coats, trenches, and sweaters.
The Edie top is nice because it’s sleeveless, which is great for warmer fall afternoons when you need to shed a layer.
Here’s some cream-colored merino wool I found at The Confident Stitch. Merino is such a great fabric for year-round wear, because it will keep you cool or warm depending on the weather. It’s really breathable, which is nice for layering.
Color Combination #2: Wine and Red
The second color combo is wine and red, and I love this combo, because you can make it sultry but you can also make it feel really fun.
Wine and red together are like the grown-up version of the barbie pink and lilac we saw in spring and summer. It’s an unexpected color combination, but it conveys confidence.
Plus, both wine and red also go well with all sort of other fall colors.
Fabrics that work well in wine and red for fall include velvet, leather, or silk. You can really go luxe. These statement fabrics work well with a simple red knit or twill.
Robert Kaufman actually has a line of twills that come in all sorts of colors. It’s the Ventana Twill collection, and they have several shades of burgundy and red. It should be easy for you to find, even online.
For patterns, I was really inspired by skirts and tops.
The Dezi skirt is cut on the bias, which would look so dramatic and lovely in wine or red.
I found this silky rayon challis at Finch Fabrics Los Angeles. It would be so perfect for Dezi or any other long, flowy skirt.
For a top, I think a peasant blouse could be a fun playful pair for Dezi. It’s flowy, but you can add some texture or even print. This is the Emmie top in a wine-colored double gauze.
I found some beautiful double gauze at Blackbird Fabrics in a few different shades of red and wine. So you could use those to sew a blouse just like this.
Color Combo #3: Brown and Light Grey
The next color combo is brown and light grey. I love that this mixes warm tones and cool tones. Plus, these are colors you probably already have in your closet and your fabric stash.
Brown and light grey are like the softer sisters of black and white. They can give you that feel of contrast without the stark nature of black and white.
For both of these colors, you’re going to find great fall fabrics like wools, sweater knits, and denim.
I was inspired by classic trousers and a cropped jacket or sweater. This outfit shows off belts and shoes so nicely.
For patterns, try the Ani trousers. They have all the classic details you want, like welt pockets and a pleat at the front.
I found this grey denim from Lady McElroy. They have a lot of really great denim, both with and without stretch. You might be able to find some at your local fabric shop.
And if you’re a Seamwork member, be sure to log in and shop at any of the stores I mention today, because you get an exclusive discount!
I also recommend the Lisa cardigan. You can wear it on its own or layered. It’s also free right now if you sign up for my Snippets newsletter!
I found this gorgeous grey designer cable knit at Style Maker Fabrics. It would look so pretty with brown pants or a skirt. And if you sew Lisa, you could pick some fun buttons to match it.
For the jacket, try the Chip pattern. It’s moto-inspired but designed for knits. You can choose hardware that coordinates with grey or brown. Try silver with grey and gold with brown.
I found this quilted cotton sweater knit at Riverside Fabrics, and it’s thick enough that I think it would work great for the Chip jacket.
Color Combo #4: Camel and Red
The fourth color combo is camel and red. This combo is so fun! It’s classic, feminine, and polished.
For camel, think coats and trenches, especially in cozy wool. Tan chino can also work as a camel color with a red top.
I was inspired by longer coats over anything and everything red.
For the coat, look no further than the Bay coat. It’s basically designed to be sewn in a camel wool.
I found this beautiful Melton Wool at Style Maker Fabrics. This colorway is Cinnamon, so it’s a bit of a darker camel, but I love it so much. It would be great for a classic camel coat.
You can have more fun with what you wear underneath your camel coat, but a dress would be easiest.
Taylor is a wrap dress that would look so stunning in red.
You could just choose a solid red challis or lawn, but red looks so fun in prints. I found this floral printed bright red challis from Workroom Social. It would make a beautiful Taylor dress.
If you choose black or other neutrals to wear under the camel coat, just sew some fun red accessories, like a headband or even red silk scrunchies! We have a tutorial for making scrunchies here.
The Drew headband is so easy and fun to make.
Color Combo #5: Navy and Brown
The final color combo is navy and brown. I really love this color combo, because with navy, you can lean both towards nice, high-end wools, but denim also totallty fits the bill.
Using brown alongside navy leans it away from preppy and more into cozy. It’s unexpected in a way that still feels classic. And it’s a little muted, but just so fun to wear.
You have so much freedom with fabrics here, especially if it’s not too chilly where you are. Look for cottons, chambray, denim, sweater knits, rayon, and any other fabrics that work well for transitional seasons.
I was inspired by layered outfits that are actually more casual but read polished by the navy.
Sew a denim jacket or chore coat. The new Indigo car coat is so cute denim.
I found this denim at Non Non Oui Fabrics in Canada. This shade would look great with darker or lighter browns.
Wear the Lisa cardigan underneath the denim jacket for a fun layered look. This brown sweater knit from Emma One Sock would be great for the Lisa cardigan. It’s chunky and textured, and it would be so cozy.
All you’d need to complete the look is a pair of navy or brown pants or a long skirt.
One More Tip
One other tip I have is to create a folder or mood board for your favorite seasonal color combinations, which you can return to year after year.
You can see all of the inspiration images and color palette combos I talked about today on my Pinterest board here. Make one of these for yourself!
Update these mood boards each season, or just continually add new inspiration. It’s a fun way to spot the colors and silhouettes you love to wear over time.
Plus, I promise that you’ll come up with new, inspiring ways to combine the colors you already have in your wardrobe.
What are you go-to color combinations for fall? What are you wearing the most this year so far? Comment and share!
