Summer Was All About Color—Here's How I'm Bringing These Unexpected Colors Into Fall

This summer, minimalism fell to the wayside, making room for maximalism in a way I’ve never seen before. In seasons past, bolder trends crept up on all of us, taking shape in printed scarves or oversized check gingham dresses. But for summer 2026, bright hues and colorblocking took center stage—turquoise, hot pink, chartreuse, orange, and purple were unmissable, dominating both street style and my Instagram feed.

As a self-proclaimed minimalist, I was surprised by the urge to give those color trends a try, and even more surprised when I realized how much I love wearing color (who is she!?) And now, as summer slowly trickles into fall, it’s left me with the age-old question: can my beloved summer pieces come along for the next season?

Ahead, you’ll see the looks I put together using the colorful pieces I’ve been wearing all summer long. Instead of pairing them with slinky tanks and a bikini top, I’ve used them as the foundational pieces of the outfit and surrounded them with layers that’ll help as the temperatures drop.

How to Style Deep Orange

Unintentionally, I’ve been reaching for the same combination for almost every summer dinner plan: a satin tank top and jeans; kitten heels to dress it up, sandals to dress it down. The combination is unfussy and effortless—I feel my best in the combination without feeling like I’ve tried too hard. Of my satin tank rotation, this orange one from Reformation has become a tried-and-true. As I tried to style it for fall, I leaned into the simplicity of the uniform by throwing a leather bomber atop. With that simple addition, the same look I wore all summer long felt seasonally appropriate.

How to Style Bright Blue

How to Style Green Chartreuse

Chartreuse was a mainstay on my wedding moodboard this year, so when I saw these pants in that shade, I immediately purchased them. During the summer, I styled them tons, with oversized tees and swimwear alike. And now, as the temperatures drop, I wasn’t ready to leave them behind. So I styled them with a cream sweater layer over a T-shirt, creating a look that felt thoughtful and appropriate for in-person meetings or post-work happy hour. I added a coordinating necklace, and voila—charterhouse pants for fall!

How to Style Saturated Pink

A T-shirt and jeans work no matter the season, as long as you have the right layers to accompany the basics. During the fall months, I wear tons of leather jackets; they’re easy, edgy, and work with truly any combination. With the hot pink tee I’ve been wearing throughout the warm weather months, I opted for my tan version with a funnel neck collar. The punk-rock silhouette alongside the sweet pink shade felt like the perfect juxtaposition for a Saturday lunch with a friend.

How to Style Light Orange

This Dôen skirt has been keeping my company all summer long, whether it’s quick runs to the beach or a backyard barbeque. I wasn’t ready to put it away for good, so I paired it with a long-sleeve boatneck T-shirt and tied an orange sweater around my waist. The combination worked well for a 75-degree day, and can continue to evolve with me as the temperatures get even cooler.