As the Leaves Change, So Do We
As summer fades and fall creeps in, our closets start to reflect the shift; not just in temperature, but in tone. While sunny yellows and ocean blues dominated warm-weather wardrobes, this season’s color trends feel more grounded and emotionally layered.
According to Pantone, the global standard for communicating color, Fall 2025 brings a wide range of shades. From light pink tones to a variety of different Brown hues, this season’s color palette appeals to all.
The top 10 standout colors from New York Fashion Week are Lemongrass, Brandied Melon, Lyons Blue, Damson, Primrose Pink, Winterberry, Poppy, Chili Oil, Hot Chocolate, and Bronze.
As these shades start showing up on runways and in retail, one may wonder whether our emotional state shifts along with our wardrobe.
Going from bright summer shades to more muted and darker ones is a subtle but significant change for our eyes and minds. As Pablo Picasso once said, “Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.”, and psychologists agree. Different hues have the power to shift our mood and impact our behavior. Lighter colors can boost energy and positivity, while darker tones often bring about reflection, calm, or even a bit of melancholy.
So what does this say about our moods this Fall?
Lemongrass, a mix of soft and grounded green and yellow, might just be the answer to a stressful day. Green is often associated with nature and peace, while yellow brings energy and warmth. According to the theory of biophilia, introduced by Erich Fromm in 1973, humans are naturally drawn to other living things, which might explain why earthy tones feel so calming.
A muted orange, Brandied Melon, showed up on multiple runways at New York Fashion Week. It’s a shade that instantly summons fall; pumpkins, changing leaves, and seasonal decor. Orange is known to be a mood booster, often connected to excitement and warmth. Brandied Melon tones that contain just enough subtlety to feel nostalgic rather than loud.
Blues trend year-round, but Lyons Blue is the main star this fall. It’s darker and moodier than the aquamarine blues of spring and summer. Blue often symbolizes calm, trust, or introspection, but it also has a connection to sadness. Kendra Cherry, a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, notes that blue is frequently tied to loneliness or detachment– the same feeling elicited from Picasso’s Blue Period. Lyons Blue gives space for thought, creativity, and maybe a little solitude.
A deep, muted purple, Damson, is softer than electric violet, but still rich. Purple is historically tied to royalty, creativity, and imagination. It invites experimentation, even if you don’t realize it. In literature, purple often symbolizes luxury and status, like Daisy Buchanan’s character in The Great Gatsby getting constantly associated with the color lavender. Damson feels like a modern take on that.
Primrose Pink, or as Vogue likes to describe a powdery blush, is a color we’ve seen a lot of over the past couple of years. From the phenomenon that was the Barbie movie, a variety of different pink shades have been trending since 2023. Primrose Pink was used in the spring and summer, and we’ll be sure to see it again this fall.
In Western culture, pink is often seen as feminine or romantic, but it can also signal softness and emotional calm. Cherry reports that certain pink shades have been used in prison cells to reduce aggression.
This season’s red shades don’t disappoint. Winterberry, Poppy, and Chili Oil all sound picturesque, however they look very distinct. Winterberry leans more towards a mix between red and pink, Poppy is a bright red, kind of like the infamous Carolina Herrera red lipstick. Chili Oil is a darker shade, mixing red and brown.
Red is a color that demands attention. It can signal love, power, anger, or urgency. Whether you’re reaching for a bold coat or a red lip, these shades create impact.
Brown, along with orange, is a color that Autumn claims as one of its own. Brown leaves, pies, boots, scarves, turkeys, books, and more. The two brown shades that New York Fashion Week emphasized for this fall are Hot Chocolate Brown and Bronze. Hot Chocolate Brown is exactly what it sounds like; rich, dark, and warm. Bronze, on the other hand, has a more elegant touch with its golden tone.
While darker colors can sometimes be linked to sadness or low energy, brown is often described as earthy or cozy. It reminds us of home, nature, and warmth– things we crave as the weather shifts.
Next time you think about a seasonal color palette, remember it’s not just about what we wear on our bodies, but how we want to feel. Whether you're leaning into something cozy, bold, or calm, color can be a quiet way of choosing your mood for the day.
Strike Out,
Sol Moyano
Boca Raton
Sol Moyano is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. When she’s not busy writing, she’s ignoring all of her responsibilities in favor of reading fiction novels. She updates her Goodreads and Letterboxd way more often than her LinkedIn. You can reach her at solmoyano05@hotmail.com or her instagram: @solmoyanooo.
