These Colour Trends Are Going to Dominate the Rest of 2022

Heatwaves are all well and good, but I'm firmly in autumn mode. I live in Scotland, where things typically tend to cool down quicker than they do across the rest of the country. So more often than not, I'm the first of my colleagues to start embracing knitwear, leather and any other sartorial identifier for autumn you can think of. And right now, I'm turning my attention to colour—specifically the autumn/winter 2022 colour fashion trends I think you ought to know about.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF 16ARLINGTON, JIL SANDER, ECKHAUS LATTA, EDELINE LEE, CHRISTIAN SIRIANO)

If you pay attention to social media or have familiarised yourself with our autumn/winter 2022 trend report, you'll already know that pink will be one of the season's hottest hues. And not just blush pink—instead, picture the brightest iteration you can imagine. There you go. But the fun doesn't stop there! There's also a shade of incredibly striking blue that I know fashion people will flirt with over the next six months, as well as a sleek update on summer's obsession with bright yellow. However, sitting alongside them are some incredibly chic and versatile tones that, when you wear them, no word of a lie, will make you look rich. Like, old-money rich. I don't know about you, but that's always my goal. Finally, we'll look at the "boring" colour one could argue isn't a trend, but the way in which designers showcased it? Honestly, it's never felt more current. 

So without further delay, scroll on to see the seven noteworthiest colours plucked from the runways. Then shop my favourite pieces for each trend. This, friends, is how to do autumn/winter 2022.

ONE SCOOP OR TWO?

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF EDELINE LEE, PALMER//HARDING, BRANDON MAXWELL, CHLOÉ)

Style Notes: I'm a regular in my ice-cream shop, and while I'm always tempted to try the new and fantastical flavours on offer, there's no beating a classic vanilla. The same, it seems, applies to fashion. Instead of blinding-white tones, designers are currently favouring more palatable shades of creamy, downright-delicious ecru. Not only is this colour timeless and versatile, but it also looks super expensive on a budget. Oh, and just for the record, I'm definitely a two-scoop kind of person.

DREAMING IN CERULEAN 

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF STELLA MCCARTNEY, CHRISTIAN SIRIANO)

Style Notes: I've been writing about fashion for over 11 years now, and I guarantee that every single year—nay, every single season—blue has been prevalent in one way or another. For 2022, it's all about vibrant cerulean, a tone commonly associated with the warmer months but that designers have reimagined by way of tailoring and satin party dresses for autumn/winter. 

HOT CHOCOLATE

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF HERMÈS, 16ARLINGTON, ECKHAUS LATTA, HELMUT LANG)

Style Notes: As '90s fashion continues to hold influence over the latest collections, designers have combed the archives to bring back a colour that was once pretty divisive but is now largely adored in fashion circles: brown. This ain't no Dairy Milk—this is pure cacao goodness. 

IN A BARBIE WORLD

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF ARMANDO GRILLO, MOLLY GODDARD, VALENTINO)

Style Notes: It's Barbie's world; we're just living in it. The sooner you understand that, the more freeing it'll be—particularly where your wardrobe is concerned. The antidote to the minimalistic hues that are coming through this season, pinks of this vibrancy are guaranteed to make you feel good and give your looks a directional edge. Take the high-end route with a Valentino staple in its custom pink shade, Pink PP, or treat yourself to one of the goodies found on the high street, whatever suits your budget. 

FEELING RICHE

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON, JIL SANDER, INTERIOR)

Style Notes: A common theme this season is borrowing summer's top colour trends and making them work for autumn. Take yellow—turning the saturation down a smidgen and upping the red undertones, you get this beautiful ochre shade.

NOT-SO-HEAVY METAL

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF 16ARLINGTON, ALTUZARRA, ECKHAUS LATTA)

Style Notes: Okay, so "metallic" isn't really a colour. But I would be remiss not to mention the iridescent sparkle that fluttered down the runway. That's right, fluttered. This season, delicate embellishments reign supreme over adornment that requires heavy lifting, with the fluidity giving more dimension and softness to metallic pieces. Although every colour in the rainbow is being explored in the form of sequins for autumn/winter 2022, the impossibly pretty pale pastel tones were most impactful, as well as never-date gold and silver. 

MIDNIGHT HOUR 

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF CELINE, EFTYCHIA, CHLOÉ, EDELINE LEE)

Style Notes: Having pored over literally thousands of runway images over the past few days, if there's one takeaway I can discern, it's that we're all going to be wearing all-black outfits this autumn. This mightn't seem like a revolutionary claim, but when was the last time you wore black from top to toe? (If you're a hairdresser, this question is rhetorical.) 

Next Up, Autumn/Winter 2022 Trends: The 15 Fashion Looks You Need to Know About

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.