Seasonal Shifts: Mustard, Merlot and Autumn Leaves

For those of you who haven’t seen the 1957 film Funny Face, it’s a charming classic. Turn the heating on, close the curtains and curl up with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in their wonderful parody of the mid-century fashion world. The real star of Funny Face is Fashion Editor Miss Prescott (played by Kay Thompson) – who declares “banish the black, burn the blue, and bury the beige! From now on… THINK PINK!”  What ensues is a fabulous if imperious song and dance number where the world turns pink (such was the dictatorial power of a 1950’s fashion director). Miss Prescott’s character was based on the legendary ‘Empress of Fashion’ Diana Vreeland – the clamorous Fashion Editor of Harpers Bazaar and later Editor of Vogue. In her own words, with outstretched painted red fingernails and crashing bangles Vreeland declared "I wasn't A fashion editor, I was the ONE AND ONLY fashion editor." 

The record may have changed from “Think Pink” to “Anything Goes” but whilst taking a brisk stroll down the high street you’d have to be colour blind not to spot autumn/winter 18’s key shades. Our advice is to base the core of your wardrobe around colours that you enjoy, that you feel comfortable in, and above all, those that you feel suit you. Seasonally, think about adding a splash of something new – your wardrobe’s equivalent of a fresh lick of paint.

Beige addicts can breathe a sigh of relief because the bonkers colour clashing we’ve seen so much of recently is calming down to a more flattering palate of tonal neutrals. Just like a box of your favourite biscuits, it’s all about nutty, caramel shades of brown. Camel, taupe, tan, amber, bronze and blush all work in autumnal harmony. Sarah Haran’s Dahlia in Tan or the Iris Saddlebag in Orange Smooth are perfect additions to the autumn/winter palette, but they’re also timeless shades that will never fall out of favour.

 For those who crave something bolder, the two hero colours of autumn/winter 18 are mustard and red wine. Mustard is one of the most flattering yellow shades, and it has been a popular colour on the high street since spring – some of you may well already have some mustard hanging in the wardrobe. It mixes extremely well with all of the autumn leaf shades previously mentioned. Along with those neutrals, mustard also pairs beautifully with the burgundy berry tones you’re bound to notice spilling all over the high street. The Dahlia Bloom Tote is now available in Berry which would look beautiful with other cherry and berry tones, or set off against a backdrop of biscuit-y neutrals.