Words by Sophia Miller
Those familiar with Meryl Streep’s iconic ‘cerulean’ monologue in The Devil Wears Prada will understand that the significance of colour goes far beyond aesthetics. Seasonal hues of choice offer a snapshot of social and cultural moments in time, reflecting the zeitgeist.
So, what does the palette of 2025 say? From the continuing reign of mocha brown and high-saturation tomato red to black cherry and bright parma violet, AW25’s trending colours are rich, luxurious and good enough to eat. Sound appealing? Keep reading for the hues the Harrods team predicts will define the year in fashion.
Mocha mousse, Pantone’s Colour of 2025, continues its moment as fashion’s favourite neutral this autumn. Prada, Hermès and Stella McCartney all showed looks on the brown spectrum, from creamy caramel to deep chocolate – and the hottest shoes and bags of the season feature the same rich, warm-toned palette.
Softer and more forgiving than black, brown is surprisingly easy to style. Lean into the gourmand mood by matching darker shades with cream – an Esse Studios’ suit paired with a Harrods collection cashmere knit – or sweeten the deal with pastel pink, another of the year’s trending colours that offers the perfect foil to deeper browns. A monochrome look is equally chic. Try pairing ebony trousers with tan accessories or outerwear.
From McQueen’s cable knits and matching lace tights to Victoria Beckham’s asymmetric bias-cut gown, bold tomato red was spotted across the runways once again for AW25. Whether you go full-look or stick to trending poppy-bright accessories, extroverted dressers will agree that it’s a welcome antidote to last season’s quiet-luxury.
Red lends itself particularly well to accessories, as per the ‘unexpected red’ theory – the idea that a confidently placed pop of the colour among more muted palettes offers just the right contrast to complete any outfit (or interior design scheme). Equally, if you’re not quite bold enough to go for the head-to-toe approach, tomato red pairs well with neutrals like beige and navy for a toned-down approach.
Louis Vuitton, TOM FORD and Max Mara were just a handful of brands to embrace a moodier kind of red this autumn. Whether you call it burgundy or cherry, it’s a sultry yet subversive shade that ties with the punk revival seen this season. The beauty world also follows suit, with an uptick in interest in everything from berry perfumes to Clinique’s Black Honey range.
Berry reds and dark denim will always make a chic – and versatile – combination. For a trendier take, try matching deeper burgundies with brighter reds on the spectrum for a tonal look that feels instantly elevated.
While parma violet trouser suits might look fabulous during fashion month, you may want to turn the dial down slightly when styling purple for the day-to-day. Try pairing bold statement pieces with neutrals like white, cream or beige, or lean into its 1970s vibe by opting for brown accessories. If electric purple still feels too bright, try lilac or lavender instead.
Update your shoe-drobe with these trending boots, loafers, heels and more.
The Harrods editors name the styles they’ll be toting around town this season.
