Fall is when menswear gets interesting again. Layers return, textures get richer and colour suddenly feels much easier to wear. This season the shift is away from relying solely on black, navy and beige towards warmer neutrals and richer accent shades. Whether you want to introduce a bold pop through a knit or jacket, or keep things more understated with subtle tonal play, the season gives you far more room to experiment.
If you buy into one color this autumn, make it chocolate. Brown is firmly established as a new menswear neutral and looks particularly good in suede, wool and leather. Wear a chocolate jacket with denim or brown trousers with a pale blue shirt. Simple, sophisticated and very now. If you’re a tailoring guy, I highly recommend suiting in chocolate brown such as this double-breasted style one from Reiss . For maximum impact wear it with a brown shirt for a powerful tonal ensemble.
Purple is becoming one of the season’s most interesting and sophisticated accents. The strongest versions are deep plum, aubergine and royal purple which feel luxurious without being predictable. They appeared prominently across the FW 2026 collections and work beautifully with camels and browns. It’s a bold colour so introduce it via a knit such as this cable-knit wool and alpaca-blend polo from Polo Ralph Lauren .
Then there’s olive. Think of olive as the replacement for the standard beige chino. It works particularly well in military inspired trousers, overshirts and field jackets and slots effortlessly alongside white, denim, brown and navy. The Brando cargo pants from Seven Continents are cut from a replica of 1950’s army issue cotton-back satin. The detail and fit is spot on.
For something less predictable…blue is getting brighter with electric and ocean blues emerging as an antidote to years of restrained colour. You do not need the full runway treatment. A strong blue knit or jacket with grey chinos or black pants is enough to make an outfit feel fresh. This shell jacket from Literary Sport is modeled on a formal shirt combining the performance-driven characteristics of a lightweight windbreaker, making it a great layering piece for fall.
The standout statement colour of the season is a clear, energetic red. Ranging from bright racing red and scarlet to deeper oxblood, spiced red and burgundy. The brighter tones bring energy to jackets and knitwear, as is the case with this Milano Ribbed Full-Zip Cardigan from Uniqlo. For a more subtle nod, look to the contrasting red laces on the dusted cocoa UGG Birch Hiker. Even the smallest accent can bring an autumnal outfit to life.
The takeaway is simple. You do not need a new complete new wardrobe for Fall. A few key injections of colour and the clothes you already own suddenly feel new again.
Darren Kennedy is a dynamic television presenter, entrepreneur, and style expert, known for his vibrant energy and dazzling Irish charm. Originally hailing from Dublin, Darren has made his mark across the UK, Ireland, and most recently in the US presenting shows for NBC, the BBC, ITV, and RTÉ. In 2023 he launched the podcast The Number with Darren Kennedy, which quickly climbed to the top of the Apple Podcasts charts. Darren Kennedy’s email is [email protected]
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