6 Outdated Colors and Their Fall Replacements

Some people get the Sunday scaries; I get the seasonal scaries—a sense of overwhelm at the start of a new season because it means I have to turn over my closet and tackle a fresh batch of trends. The leap from summer to fall is particularly intimidating: flip-flops to knee-high boots, tank tops to cashmere cardigans. Even as someone easily rattled by change—and still unpacking the back-to-school shopping anxiety of my childhood—Fall 2025’s delectable color trends are making me excited about all the newness.

I write this on a sweaty 87-degree August day during yet another New York City heat wave. I’m desperate for a cool breeze and, as a result, a chance to wrap myself in warmer, cozier colors. As much as I’ve enjoyed butter yellow as a neo-neutral and zippy blood orange brightening my summer wardrobe, the idea of a chocolate brown chunky sweater or pumpkin-spiced trousers is what I really want. Summer’s vibrant color trends were fun — but now it’s time to embrace fall’s rich and decadent palette.