TRENDING:

Colour for AW26 isn’t playing by the usual rules. While colder months traditionally bring darker, more subdued shades to the forefront, this season is making room for something brighter - and a little more unexpected. From vibrant reds and electric cobalt to rich chocolate brown and easy neutrals, the new season palette is anything but predictable.

And perhaps the most interesting part? Some of the colours we’ve been wearing all year aren’t going anywhere just yet. Tomato red had its moment, but vibrant red is picking up where it left off, bringing the same high-voltage energy to AW26. Deep merlot, meanwhile, has evolved into burgundy - moodier, richer and very much at home in head-to-toe leather. Consider it proof that a good colour trend knows how to adapt.

Then there’s cobalt blue. Bright? Yes. Strictly for summer? Absolutely not. Seen at Bottega Veneta and Fendi, the shade brings a welcome jolt to the darker palette of the season, whether it’s worked into everyday staples or worn with a little more commitment. And if you’re not quite ready to let go of summer’s lemon-yellow moment, charcoal offers the perfect backdrop. At Bottega Veneta, boxy suiting gave the menswear staple a fresh lease of life - and a flash of yellow makes it feel considerably less conventional.

For those who prefer their colour a little more grounded, there’s plenty to work with. Chocolate brown continues its run into AW26, showing up everywhere from suede and faux fur to knitwear. Earthy tones take a similarly warm approach, bringing together olive, mustard and brown for a palette that feels rich without being overly serious.

And then, of course, there are the neutrals. The wardrobe failsafes. Cream, camel, peach and softer browns might be understated, but they’re anything but forgettable - particularly when mixed together or set against something a little bolder.

So, whether you’re ready to embrace colour from head to toe or simply looking for a way to bring a little more life into your cold-weather wardrobe, AW26 has plenty to offer. These are the seven shades set to define the season - and how to wear them now at FLANNELS.

Tomato red had a good run - and it seems the colour isn’t quite ready to give up the spotlight just yet. After making its mark earlier in the year, that same high-voltage hue’s counterpart vibrant red is carrying through to AW26, proving that brighter shades have just as much place in the colder months. At Alexander McQueen, it made a striking statement in a textured look, while Gucci followed suit with head-to-toe looks that sliced through the blacked-out runway. Over at Prada, the trend made its way to footwear in the form of kitten heels. Gucci Beauty’s satin lipstick in ‘500 OD Red’ leans neatly into the shade’s enduring appeal - proof that sometimes, the finishing touch can do the heavy lifting.

If you thought chocolate brown had peaked, think again. After holding its own for the better part of a year, the colour is still going strong into the coming season. Saint Laurent kept things sleek and sophisticated, while Prada played with its depth through suede, tonal dressing and, of course, plenty of faux fur. The same goes for beauty. Tom Ford Beauty’s Eye Colour Quad can be rubbed across the lid for a wash of the same chocolatey tone.

She’s electric. Cobalt blue made a striking statement at Bottega Veneta in a textured look, while Fendi used flashes of cobalt to punch up everyday staples like the classic tank, and baguette bags.  Fancy taking things a bit further? Sweep Benefit’s Bag Gal Bang mascara through your lashes. Consider this the jolt of colour your fall wardrobe needs.

Consider this your cue to get back to basics - just not the boring kind. AW26 is leaning into earthy tones, with warmer shades of brown, olive and mustard bringing a little depth to the season. Saint Laurent kept things relaxed and understated, while Tom Ford went for rich brown knitwear. The trick is in the mix: play with different shades and textures and suddenly these grounded colours feel anything but predictable. Finish with a spritz of oud c/o Jo Malone for the final touch.

Deep merlot had its moment earlier this year, but the bottle isn’t empty just yet. For AW26, that rich red has deepened into burgundy, bringing a slightly moodier feel to the season. Burberry went all in, working the hue through head-to-toe leather, with Romeo Beckham also backing the hue on the runway in a tonal plum and burgundy look. There’s something particularly good about the shade in leather - rich, glossy and just the right side of dramatic. Consider it your autumn red, only a little more grown up.

Let’s be honest: a good neutral is the ultimate failsafe, whatever the season. Endlessly versatile and inherently chic, these are the shades that can rescue even the trickiest colour combinations.

At Fendi’s AW26 show, neutrals came through in the form of faux fur and jorts, styled alongside deeper, moodier hues - a combination we’re very much here for. And Fendi isn’t the only one making a case for them. Over at Chloé, things took a softer turn, with peachy neutrals bringing a bohemian touch to lace-trimmed tees and peacoats - the kind of pieces that make sense whether you’re navigating a cold snap or an afternoon of London drizzle. The beauty of it all? There’s no real formula. Cream with camel, peach with brown, something darker thrown in for good measure. Whatever you choose, it’ll work.

Charcoal knows how to behave. At Bottega Veneta, boxy suiting gave the menswear staple a little more attitude, with oversized proportions that made grey feel anything but predictable. It’s a shade that naturally lends itself to AW26, but that doesn’t mean the colour has to stop there. If lemon yellow had you looking on the bright side earlier in the year, there’s no reason to leave it behind now. Against charcoal, it feels less summer-bright and a little more deliberate.