2. EARTHY DELIGHTS
The shades
Encompassing hues of honey, rich clay and olive green, these saturated shades are a little like autumn’s rush of colour with the sound turned down. But make no mistake - this take on terracotta et al is a far cry from your pile of old plant pots lingering in the shed. These are warm, luxurious and ultimately contemporary colours that owe far more to Mediterranean villas and Moroccan riads than any failed gardening attempt.
The psychology
From clay-roofed cities to hip design hotels, these earthy – yet seriously luxe - tones are as traditional as they are on-trend. They’re at a bit of a colour crossroads, too. Sitting pretty in the sweet spot where vibrant, saturated colour meets pared back, organic hues, they’re the best of both worlds - so it’s no wonder they’ve triumphed both on the catwalk and off. If you’re looking to go au naturel for winter, there’s really no chicer way to do it.
The styling
The key to preventing warm, earthy tones from tipping into ‘rustic’ territory is keeping silhouettes contemporary and paying attention to subtle differences in similar shades – think rich and pinky-brown, rather than orange-tinged. Be wary of too much decoration and even the most delicately distressed finish, which will feel instantly retro (and in this case, we’re talking BC). Stick to solid colour, bold and blocky prints or a simple two-tone effect balanced with white or powdery pink.