There is a particular moment each October when black starts to feel a little flat and brown a little expected. That is when plum arrives: dark enough to feel grown-up, warm enough to feel like autumn, and rich enough that a single piece lifts an entire outfit. Aubergine sits just beside it, deeper and moodier, with a hint of blue-black that makes it an elegant stand-in for navy or charcoal. Together they form the season's most flattering and most wearable colour story.
The edit at a glance
- Hero shade: plum, a warm red-leaning purple that flatters most skin tones.
- Supporting shade: aubergine, the darker, cooler cousin that works like a soft black.
- Best pairings: camel, cream, olive, chocolate brown and burgundy.
- Start with: one statement layer, such as a coat or jacket, then build around it.
- Finishing touches: gold or brushed-brass jewellery, tan leather, dark tights.
Why plum and aubergine work now
Deep purples sit in a sweet spot between neutral and colour. Plum has the richness of a jewel tone without the brightness, so it reads as sophisticated rather than loud. In low autumn light it glows, and against the muted landscape of October it makes an outfit look considered with very little effort. Anyone searching for autumn colour trends in women's fashion will find this family of shades at the heart of the season for good reason: it bridges the gap between the soft earth tones of September and the true darks of deep winter.
It is also remarkably forgiving. Plum has enough warmth to flatter paler complexions and enough depth to look striking on deeper ones, and aubergine can replace black in almost any outfit while feeling softer near the face. If you have been wondering how to wear aubergine without it looking heavy, the answer is simple: treat it as your new dark neutral and let lighter textures and metallics do the lifting.
Three ways to wear the palette
1. The tailored layer. Start with structure. A nipped-waist jacket in a deep shade over cream knitwear and straight, dark denim is the easiest route into the trend. The Contrast Collar Peplum Jacket does this beautifully, with its peplum shaping and contrast collar adding definition at the waist and a little polish at the neckline. Add ankle boots and a structured bag and you have a look that works from the school run to a client lunch.
2. The long, enveloping coat. When the temperature drops, a belted coat in a rich autumn shade does the work of an entire outfit. The Stylish Belted Autumn Winter Coat is the sort of piece that turns plain layers into a finished look: pull the belt in to define the waist, or leave it loose for a more relaxed line. Underneath, keep things tonal with deep purple knitwear in a slightly lighter or darker shade, then break it up with a camel scarf or cream trousers so the colour has room to breathe.
3. The evening shift. Plum is made for after dark, and the right sparkle makes it feel festive without tipping into costume. Try the Sequin Backless Halter Top with tailored black or aubergine trousers, or a satin midi skirt, and throw a long coat over the top for the walk to dinner. The open back keeps things modern, while the deep tones around it stop the sequins feeling too busy.
A few finishing rules make the palette easier still. For colour pairings, burgundy and plum styling works best when you vary the depth: a wine-red scarf against a plum coat, say, reads as intentional layering rather than a near miss. Olive, chocolate and camel ground the purples and stop them feeling too sweet, while cream and soft grey give them air. For shoes, tan, chocolate and black leather all work, and a metallic flat or heel in gold or bronze adds warmth. When layering, keep one piece in a lighter tone, such as a cream knit or pale scarf, so the darker shades have contrast to play against.
Shop the edit
These three pieces cover the whole range of the palette, from daytime tailoring to a long coat for colder mornings and a showstopping top for evenings out. Pick one as your anchor, then build the rest of the outfit from the neutrals you already own.
Carrying it through the season
The beauty of plum and aubergine is their staying power. They sit happily alongside the reds and forest greens of November and the chocolate and cream of deep winter, so a piece bought now will not look out of place by Christmas. Start with one deep-toned layer, repeat the shade once more in an accessory, and let everything else stay quiet. That restraint is what makes the colour look expensive, and it is the easiest way to make October's deepest shade feel like yours.
