How to wear this season's shades

There’s only one way to wear autumn’s essential colours of camel, grey and pumpkin – and that’s top to toe

CAMEL
Camel

Perfect for the season’s luxe mood, neutral camel looks expensive and has been crowned the colour of a/w 2010. Invest in an elegant camel coat – it’s the chicest cover-up of the season and it will last for years to come. This luxurious wool version from Hobbs is one of the season’s stand-outs.

Coat, £349; Polo-neck, £55; Trousers, £159, all Hobbs (0845-313 3130)

Camel need to know:

• Camel should be worn in classic shapes and luxe fabrics inspired by the Seventies’ Charlie Girl adverts which are key for this season.

• This colour works for every skintone. If you’re pale, pick a shade with peachy tones whereas darker skins should choose pale beige camels.

• The most on-trend way to wear it is with subtle layers in similar shades. Taupe, tan and cream colours work brilliantly together.
Comptoir des Cotonniers Chinos
Chinos, £96, Comptoir des Cotonniers (020-7792 9580)

SPORTMAX COAT
Coat, £598, Sportmax at Matches (020-7221 0255)
Camel outfit
Coat, £85, Oasis (01865-881 986); Blouse, £775, Chloé at Matches (020-7221 0255); Skirt, £30, Next (0844-844 8939)
Pumpkin
Usually considered a spring shade, Miu Miu and Oscar de la Renta proved this zesty hue works for autumn too.

Pumpkin need to know:

• Bright orange will give sombre winter outfits a much-needed colour pop and pumpkin works well with a mid-blue denim for a Seventies’ feel.

• When co-ordinating a head-to-toe look, wear darker shades on areas you’re less confident about.

• If you’re still wary of an all-orange outfit, team pumpkin with camel, chocolate or other brights (but avoid black – it creates too harsh a contrast).
Asos wedges
Wedges, £110, Asos (asos.com)
Dagmar coat
Coat, £355, Dagmar (asos.com)

Miu Miu bag
Bag, £960, Miu Miu (020-7409 0900)
H&M top
Top, £24.99, H&M, (020-7323 2211)
Marni top
Top, £330, Marni at Browns (020-7514 0016)
Balenciaga skirt
Skirt, £415, Balenciaga at Browns (020-7514 0016)
Echo scarf
Scarf, £35, Echo (020-7428 7428)

Topshop tunic
Tunic, £40, Topshop (topshop.com)
ALICE BY TEMPERLEY
Dress, £495, Alice by Temperley at my-wardrobe.com
Pumpkin outfit
Jacket, £625, Doma (0845-604 1888); Dress, £45, Topshop (topshop.com); Scarf, £140, Alexander McQueen at Matches (020-7221 0255)
GREY
Get experimental with colour blocking thanks to the vast array of grey tones out there.

Grey need to know:

• Ranging from palest dove to smoky charcoal, layering differing shades of grey is a key way to work the look. A pale grey shirt works particularly well under a mid-grey jumper (as seen at Gucci).

• Grey is the perfect shade to experiment with and try more directional pieces (like Burberry Prorsum’s cape, above right).

• For weekend wear, find some denim in a washed-out grey for an edgier look that’ll blow your old blue jeans out of the water.
Urban Outfitters coat
Coat, £155, Urban Outfitters (urbanoutfitters.co.uk)

Banana Republic bag
Bag, £140, Banana Republic (020-7758 3550)
Vivienne Westwood skirt
Skirt, £235, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania at Net-a-porter.com
Christian Louboutin shoes
Shoes, £480, Christian Louboutin at Matches (020-7221 0255)
Jesiré dress
Dress, £119, Jesiré (020-7420 4450)
Grey outfit
Blazer, £875, Stella McCartney at Browns (020-7514 0016); Shirt, £29.50, Gap (0800-427 789); Top, £122, John Smedley (020-7495 2222); Trousers, £29.99, Zara (020-7851 4300); Belt, £5.99, Marks & Spencer (marksandspencer.com)