Style inspiration

How to combine pastel colours for Autumn

Just because the season is changing and we are all beginning to wrap up in our Winter woollies it does not necessarily mean that we need to automatically reach for our darker colours. If lighter pastel colours suit you let’s look at how to combine them for Autumn.

Pastel colours have always suited me, probably due to my colouring. I have cool-toned skin and grey/blonde hair. One of my favourite combinations is pink and grey which I am wearing in the photo above. If you have warm-toned colour it does not mean that you can’t wear pastels, the undertones will just be different. For example how about light beige with a touch of apricot or light khaki.

A reader recently contacted me and asked where all the short coats had gone. I thought that I would do some retail research and found that short coats are still available. I have chosen a few in both warm and cool colours which you can see in the images below.

The question also reminded me that I have a lovely short pink coat that I am wearing in the above photo. I bought it about three years ago in the Benetton shop in St Tropez. What has happened to Benetton, their stores seem to have disappeared? They used to offer some great knitwear. I found that they do still have an online presence.

Underneath my pink coat, I am wearing my new pink hoodie from Cos. Hoodies are everywhere this year. Hopefashion have a lovely Grey hoodie as part of their new collection,

Hoodies are so comfy and practical. I often wear mine under a formal jacket. It is currently very popular to combine casual with formal. This is a good way to get extra maximum mileage from your wardrobe. We may not be socialising or going to an office at the moment but it would be a shame to leave our smarter items unworn.

To complete the outfit I am wearing my grey check trousers ( part of a suit originally from Arket) and my Black mesh slip-on sneakers from FitFlop.

How to combine pastel colours for Autumn

All photographs were taken by Laura Hines. Follow her on Instagram

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

View Comments

  • Jo, I really love how you look both classic and modern at the same time. The sneakers, hoodie and the belted cardigan add such an edge, so relevant to the times and lovely in a timeless way.

    • Hello Janet
      Thank you for your kind comment. I like to mix up my wardrobe and add a touch of seasonal trends to my existing clothes.

  • I agree with all the above comments. That pink color is wonderful on you. I have warm undertones and can't wear your colors but you pull them off nicely.

    • Hello Katrinka
      You can create the same effect with warm pastel colours. I will be doing a collage with more warm colours soon.

  • Hello Josephine, you look absolutely great in the pink hoodie with the pink jacket over it. I think that is one of the nicest outfits I have seen you wearing. You provided some great links as well. Thank you.

  • I’ve tended to avoid pastels mainly because they don’t suit me but also because occasionally they can make women look like little girls. However this certainly isn’t the case with you with your beautiful silver hair, the pastels look elegant and very grown up.

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