Fashion editor reveals the 5 must-have colours to wear for autumn 2026, including the hue that makes any outfit look expensive - and the outdated shade to BIN immediately

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreAs a fashion editor, I spend most of my working day, unsurprisingly, looking at clothes. Whether it's trawling the internet for the best new-in pieces on the high street, analysing the latest runway collections from the major fashion houses or finding dupes for celebrity red carpet styles, I see hundreds of items of clothing on a weekly basis. This means I'm able to closely track shifting trends and anticipate what's set to be big in fashion in the coming months. For AW26, it's not just specific items that are proving popular but particular colours that are popping up all over brands' collections. Trend forecaster WGSN explains how this season's trending colours – a mix of calming neutrals and bold brights – 'reflect the need for balance, excitement and stability', dubbing 2026 the year of redirection and restoration.Want to get ahead of the trends and shop this upcoming season's hottest hues? Read on for our top AW26 colour predictions. The five colours to try this autumn... 1. Tomato redTomato red has been a massive trend all summer. It was all over the SS26 runways and was even named Royal Ascot's official colour of the year. However, where most summer trends tend to peter out during the transition into autumn, this bold red is still going strong and remains a firm favourite amongst the fash pack. 'I absolutely love it,' agrees fashion content creator Helen Slater (@helenstylingmy50s). 'If you’re not naturally comfortable wearing lots of colour, red is such an easy way to dip your toe in. You don’t have to go head-to-toe – a red necklace, a flash of red on a scarf, a handbag or even a pair of flip-flops can completely lift an outfit. It’s a really easy way to start feeling more confident with colour.'While Chanel, Elie Saab and Dior embraced the bold red trend for eveningwear, our favourite takes were the more casual offerings – think slouchy boilersuits at Jacquemus and cosy knits at Celine... all in that same bright hue. 2. Wax paper One of WGSN's key colours for AW26, wax paper, is described as a 'creamy yellow and off-white shade that evokes feelings of glowing from within and diluted winter sun'. It's a warmer option than classic bright white and so is flattering on most skin tones. Unlike white, it feels more intentional and therefore instantly makes an outfit look more expensive and put together.Similar to last year's butter yellow but more toned down, it's a great anchoring colour to pair with bold tones like teal, purple and blue. 3. Olive green 'I think green is going to be everywhere, particularly olive and richer earthy greens,' says lifestyle influencer Nikki Nicola (@40notfrumpy). 'I love it because it almost works as a neutral and it looks gorgeous with denim, cream and chocolate brown, but also really fresh with a pop of red.'The colour was particularly prevalent at the recent Copenhagen Fashion Week, where many style influencers were spotted wearing the colour in between shows. Petra Henriette Rufi embraced a full camo look in the shade, while Eve Wave took the trend in a more romantic direction, wearing an olive green lace cami over satin trousers.4. PurpleAccording to Pinterest, purple is also set to be one of this autumn's biggest colour trends, with searches for the shade surging by 30 per cent since May. The rich jewel tone is perfect for cosy autumnal dressing as we move away from summery pastels. Unlike in previous years where it might have been paired with neutrals, this season we are seeing fashion insiders pair the hue with equally bold colours. Actress Zoey Deutch was recently spotted wearing a purple cardigan with tomato red trousers, while the shade was paired with bright lemon yellow on the AW26 Balenciaga catwalk. If you're not sure where to start, stylist Emma Thatcher (@emmarosethatcher) suggests a colourful knit as an easy entry point. '&Daughter do excellent knitwear in a range of colours, perfect to layer over your shoulders, tie around your waist or throw on for cooler days. Or try a coloured tee under a neutral knit. I love a yellow crew neck tee under a black v-neck cashmere.''With print and colour mixing, it's about the tonal balance,' she adds. 'Dries Van Noten does this brilliantly, mixing unexpected tones in a way that feels considered. That's the approach I'd take with colour this season.' 5. Chocolate brown If you prefer a more neutral palette, you'll be pleased to hear that chocolate brown is still everywhere this autumn. Timeless and chic, it never really goes out of style. This is great as it means you can invest in pieces in this shade that you know you'll be reaching for year after year. Chocolate brown featured heavily in several key runway looks for AW26, including Dior's viral dressing-gown inspired coats and Miu Miu's crinkled leather co-ords. It looks great worn with similar brown and beige shades for a cool take on tonal dressing, or take inspiration from our favourite street stylers and pair with bold pops of colour for a statement look. And the colours to avoid... While there are no colours that you should avoid completely – any shade can look great when styled well, after all – there are some colours that are harder to pull off than others.For example, I'd recommend sticking to richer shades over pastel as the days get cooler as they will help warm up your complexion. Many wintery items, such as coats and knits, can look far more expensive when worn in richer shades like navy, chocolate brown and deep reds. Fuchsia pink is another trend I would avoid this season. While Barbie Pink had a big sartorial moment back in 2023, it now looks dated and can cheapen an outfit. Lastly, while black is a classic shade and never out of style, this season we are all leaning towards more earthy, natural shades. Instead, try a softer neutral palette with greys and beiges.