THE AUTUMN COLOURS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT, ACCORDING TO AN ASOS DESIGNER

'We are really excited about berry tones this season,' says Otis. In fact, it’s one of ASOS HQ's favourite autumn trends, with not one but two fruity hues making this lineup. Plum errs more on the purple end of the scale and has a lushness that elevates fabrics like satin and leather – perfect for autumn jackets. It can have a cool undertone too, so it'll complement neutrals like taupe, mushroom or greige. Otis says, ‘If you have a minimal wardrobe, start with pieces you know you’ll wear. A statement knit in a fun, saturated shade is an easy way to introduce colour – wear it with jeans, or dress it up with tailoring. Accessories are another great starting point, especially a colourful bag.’ 

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN mandarin collar knit rib top in plum, £26
Kaiia exclusive aviator sunglasses in burgundy, £12
Mango structured tote bag in burgundy, £35.99
Stradivarius Satin effect halter top in purple, £19.99

‘Browns and warm neutrals work beautifully as everyday staples,’ says Otis. This is especially true for the newest crop of brown shades coming this autumn – this is sweet chocolate, not bitter. It’s the Goldilocks of browns – not too dark, not too brassy, but just right. Brown’s been around for a minute now, so there’s an excellent chance you may already have some in your wardrobe. If not, the best time to invest is now. ‘Add these warmer shades to your looks through knitwear, coats or accessories, rather than restarting your whole wardrobe,’ Otis suggests.

GET THE LOOK:

Missyempire satin balloon sleeve bomber jacket co-ord in chocolate, £48
ASOS DESIGN shoulder bag with gold hardware in chocolate, £24
Topshop crinkle board shorts and bandeau co ord in chocolate, from £28
ASOS DESIGN longline oversized trench coat with shoulder pad in bronze, £75

Every shade in the autumn lineup has a way of catching the eye, but it’s turquoise that unashamedly grabs you by the collar and demands your attention. One of the standout shades in the blue colour family, it has a subtle green aspect with the saturation turned up to 11. You could subtly introduce it into your wardrobe with turquoise jewellery or a beaded bag, but with something this big and bright, the high-octane approach can have a big payout. Think embellished autumn dresses and oversized track jackets anchored with earth tones – those, or our next favourite shade...

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN open back cluster embellished mini T-shirt dress in turquoise, £110
ASOS DESIGN beaded bucket clutch in teal, £30
ASOS DESIGN lace hem fishtail maxi skirt in turquoise, £36
ASOS DESIGN overhead colour block track jacket in turquoise, £50

Our second berry shade on the roster is more red than purple. Cherry is a deeper, more autumnal variation – elegant, vampy and decidedly grown-up. ‘Red looks great with tailoring’, says Otis. ‘It adds a fresh, modern feel to classic suiting and makes the whole look feel a little more directional.’ If you’re not in the mood for colour-drenching, ‘Pops of red can be pared back with rich ochre,’ as well as lighter browns like camel and caramel.

GET THE LOOK:

NA-KD Ramie scarf detail midi dress in dark red, £99.95
Dolce Vita Cornel ballet flats with gold detail in oxblood, £140
True Decadence clutch bag in deep red, £30
Kaiia cotton rich wide leg joggers co-ord in burgundy, £26

‘Look at the colours you already love and choose a new shade to complement them,’ Otis says. ‘If you have lots of chocolate brown, try the newer honey or amber tones.’ But what are the differences between amber, honey and ochre? It’s in the minimal gradations. If you’ve spent too long staring at the Pantone colour chart trying to differentiate, here’s a helpful rule of thumb – if it’s a warm, golden shade with just a hint of brown, you’ve hit the colour jackpot. Think satin dresses and textured separates. And don’t be afraid to play with transparency – the colour makes PVC or resin (as in ASOS DESIGN’s floral earrings) practically glow.

GET THE LOOK:

Topshop satin drape neck maxi dress with lace trim in caramel, £68
ASOS DESIGN stud earrings with flower design in amber resin, £10
Simmi London Shona heeled mule sandals in chocolate, £30
NA-KD Halterneck slit maxi dress in dark rust, £59.95