September is usually a time when you put away the more colourful items in your wardrobe, and lean on the greys, navys, browns and blacks. But not this time around—for the new season, it's oranges, reds, greens and yellows that will cheer us through the winter months. Red is the number one colour for autumn/winter 2017, as every high-street store and designer we can think of has interpreted this trend.
But red isn't the only colour that will be shaking things up come January, as yellow and purple are also having a moment. And when it comes to styling these vibrant colours, the usual rules don't apply, as proved at New York Fashion Week, where you could spot awkward colour mash-ups on every corner. From Tiffany Hsu's wonderful Neapolitan ice cream–colored creation to Aimee Song's unorthodox pairing of forest green with acid yellow, these eight colour combinations are real conversation starters.
Scroll below to see some of the most awkward colour combos that are so wrong they're right.
Style Notes: This outfit proves that when it comes to colour right now, there are no rules, as a green satin-finish top tucked into an orange crushed-velvet skirt is an unlikely match. Don't be afraid of colour-clashing accessories either—here, a splash of red is added by way of a Gucci handbag.
Style Notes: When it comes to pastels, follow Tiffany Hsu's lead and dress like Neapolitan ice cream—we love the combination of pistachio with pink and yellow.
Style Notes: Red and purple are both trending colours right now, and they actually work surprisingly well together, as shown by this showgoer at Stockholm Fashion Week.
Style Notes: In Net-a-Porter's A/W 17 trends presentation, Lisa Aiken talked about the rise of "awkward" browns and rust colours, and here Veronika Heilbrunner wore brown with a royal blue.
Style Notes: White boots aren't going anywhere this autumn, and they look amazing when paired with a bold primary colour. Exhibit A: this royal-blue coat.
Style Notes: It can be difficult to wear two similar shades together, but here these two mint-green hues actually work wonders when paired with a bright pink.
Style Notes: Yellow is proving to be a big colour trend right now, and Linda Tol shows that the best colour to pair with lemon is a classic blue-wash denim.
Style Notes: Who What Wear's very own Kat Collings mixed rich jewel tones, pairing her Quality Street–purple top with a gold The Row bag and green boots.
Style Notes: Yellow and green in one outfit? Really? Aimee Song braved an unlikely colour mix in New York wearing an acid-yellow slip dress beneath a forest-green velvet blazer.
Style Notes: Loyal Who What Wear readers will know that red is unavoidable this season, but we love how Jeanne Damas paired her true-red knit with brown trousers and a deep red handbag.
Forget Zara for a second—it's this store we're suddenly shopping again.
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