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Soft Autumn Color Palette: Stunning Christmas Outfits for Festive Season Elegance!
- Personal Stylist | Tonya J.
- Oct 26
- 7 min read
Updated: 54 minutes ago
If you're a woman entrepreneur or ambitious professional ready to unwind after a demanding year, yet still want to look effortlessly polished this holiday season, this guide was made with you in mind. When time is limited and your schedule is full, planning festive looks shouldn’t feel overwhelming.
Introducing the RWS Holiday Color & Style Guide—an exclusive seasonal edit designed to help you feel elegant, aligned, and confident through every holiday moment.
This week, we’re spotlighting the most flattering festive shades for the Soft Autumn Woman of Style, so you can step into the season looking relaxed, radiant, and unmistakably refined.
Check out the additional companion videos linked
to the Autumn color season and palette!
Happy holidays, beautiful ladies! I'm absolutely thrilled to bring you day three of our first ever Decadent Holiday Color Branding Series. Today, we're celebrating the Soft Autumn Color Palette and the gorgeous, muted, warm colors that will make you absolutely glow this festive season.
If you didn't catch day one where we discussed the Deep Autumn palette, or day two with the Warm Spring holiday colors, or if you're new and curious about whether your color season is cool or warm, I recommend checking out our free RWS Color Branding Series. It's an ideal starting place to find out which palette enhances your natural glow.
Understanding Your Soft Autumn Christmas Outfits
As a Soft Autumn Woman of Style, you should already know that soft, warm, muted colors look absolutely stunning on you. Think of delicate water colors with a warm undertone—that's your sweet spot. You have low to medium contrast between your hair, eyes, and skin, with predominantly warm undertones that give you a romantic, gentle quality.
So, what's the key to holiday dressing for a fabulous Christmas outfit? Avoid colors that are too rich, vibrant, or jewel-toned. Those will overpower your natural soft beauty. Instead, embrace warm colors that are muted and gentle—colors that whisper elegance rather than shout for attention.
Three Show-Stopping Holiday Outfit Ideas (Updated!)
Outfit One: Cozy Nordic Elegance
Perfect for: Holiday brunches, family gatherings, casual festive get-togethers
Bonus Outfit #1
Let me introduce you to a beautifully cozy yet sophisticated ensemble: a Fair Isle patterned sweater in soft taupe, cream, and cocoa brown paired with a flowing buttermilk satin skirt. This combination strikes the perfect balance between comfort and elegance, darling.
The Fair Isle sweater brings that festive winter charm with its traditional Nordic pattern in your perfect Soft Autumn neutrals. The warm taupe and cocoa tones complement your natural coloring beautifully, while the cream accents add just the right amount of brightness without overwhelming you.
Paired with a luxurious buttermilk satin skirt, this outfit elevates casual knitwear into something truly special. The contrast between the textured, cozy sweater and the smooth, lustrous skirt creates visual interest and sophisticated movement. Absolutely love this soft autumn color pairing.
The finishing touches:
Taupe suede over-the-knee boots with a modest heel (practical yet elegant)
A quilted buttermilk clutch with gold chain detail
Simple gold hoop earrings
A warm rose lip color and complementary nail polish for that pop of warmth
This look is festive and versatile. Dressy enough for holiday events but comfortable enough to wear all day long. It's that effortless, put-together aesthetic that makes you look like you've mastered the art of festive dressing.
Outfit Two: Luxe Holiday Glamour
Perfect for: Cocktail parties, evening dinners, sophisticated holiday soirées
Bonus Outfit #2
Now this is where we turn up the glamour, darling! Picture a soft sparkling gold sequin top paired with a cocoa burgundy leather pencil skirt with gold zipper detail. This combination is absolutely show-stopping and perfectly balanced for your Soft Autumn coloring.
The sequined gold top gives you that festive sparkle we all crave during the holidays, but in your softer, warmer tone of gold—not the harsh, bright metallics that would overpower you. The dolman sleeves add a relaxed elegance while the sequins catch the light beautifully.
The cocoa burgundy leather skirt is pure sophistication. That rich, muted burgundy is one of your most regal colors, and in leather with gold zipper detailing? Absolutely decadent. This is the kind of piece that makes a statement without saying a word.
The finishing touches:
Gold embellished pointed-toe heels (those jeweled details add extra sparkle)
A quilted cocoa burgundy handbag with gold chain strap
Statement drop earrings featuring soft plum and olive tones
A warm burgundy lip color
This outfit seamlessly blends texture, shimmer, and rich color in a way that's elegant and festive without being over-the-top. It's confident, glamorous, and utterly unforgettable.
Outfit Three: Sophisticated Evening Elegance
Perfect for: Formal dinners, upscale holiday parties, New Year's Eve celebrations
For our final look, try embracing rich, muted earthy tones with an olive green silk slip dress paired with a matching soft olive oversized blazer. This is elegance personified, unexpected yet absolutely stunning.
The olive green slip dress is luxurious and flowing, with that beautiful bias cut that drapes like a dream. This shade of green is perfectly muted for your Soft Autumn coloring, bringing out the warmth in your complexion without overwhelming your natural softness. The silk fabric adds that touch of glamour while maintaining an effortless, sophisticated vibe.
Layering it with an oversized taupe blazer gives you structure and adds a modern, polished edge. This is the kind of outfit that works beautifully for those cooler evening events or when you want to look put-together without trying too hard.
The finishing touches:
Soft plum velvet ankle-strap heels with fur detail (absolutely divine!)
A vintage-inspired plum satin evening bag with gold frame and chain
Statement drop earrings in soft plum with gold accents
Delicate gold layered necklaces
A rich plum lip gloss for that perfect finishing touch
This monochrome olive combination, paired with decadent plum is non-traditional yet incredibly chic. It's the kind of outfit that makes people stop and ask, "Where did you get that?" Pure sophistication with a modern festive twist.
Celebrity Style Inspiration: Soft Autumn Glamour
Let's look at some stunning celebrity examples to spark your creativity. Each of these looks demonstrates how beautifully Soft Autumn colors can shine during the holidays:
Gisele Bündchen in Smoky Muted Pink This isn't your traditional satin rose pink—it's deeper, smokier, more sophisticated. Notice how Gisele keeps her makeup muted with just a hint of glitter. That's the Soft Autumn approach: let the color speak without overwhelming your natural softness. Pair this shade with soft gold, pearls, and white pearl accessories for pure luxury.
Jessica Biel in Soft Sparkling Gold Everything about this look is perfection! Soft sparkling gold gives you just enough glitter and glamour without going overboard. You don't need to wear it head-to-toe—try it in a skirt, sweater, handbag, or jewelry. The key
is that gentle, warm sparkle that enhances rather than dominates.
Satin Rose Pink Elegance For classic Marilyn Monroe-inspired glamour, satin rose pink is your go-to. Remember that monochrome soft pink outfit we discussed? Take that color into evening wear with satin fabric, and you've got instant Hollywood glamour. Diamonds are absolutely your best friend with this shade—embrace that old Hollywood elegance!
Mariah Carey in Creamy Bronze Our Christmas diva shows us how stunning bronzy shimmer can be. To elevate this look, add plum or red accents from your color palette in your nails or lips. Golden and coppery bronze shimmers work beautifully in your clothing, accessories, and even outerwear.
Leona Lewis in Buttermilk White Looking like a holiday princess, Leona demonstrates that buttermilk white is a stunning alternative to gold if you want something more subdued. It still gives you that opulent, festive energy but in a more conservative way. Or try mixing buttermilk white with soft sparkling gold for the ultimate in classy, romantic holiday dressing.
Kate Beckinsale in Cocoa Burgundy This is such a regal, decadent color! If you're tired of traditional purples or standard burgundy, cocoa burgundy is your sophisticated alternative. Elevate it with gold and copper accessories, and add a deep burgundy nail and lip color for pure elegance.
The Fabric Factor: Texture Matters
The right fabric can transform your holiday look from pretty to absolutely stunning. Here are my recommendations for each color family:
For Smoky Pinks:
Velvet for luxurious texture and richness
Silk for a gorgeous subtle sheen
Chiffon for an ethereal, light quality
For Satin Rose Pinks:
Satin itself for classic romance
Silk charmeuse (even more luxurious than satin with a fluid drape)
For Sparkling Golds:
Sequins for that perfect holiday sparkle
Jacquard with metallic threads for elevated opulence
Silk satin for sophisticated shimmer
For Buttermilk Whites:
Cashmere for cozy luxury (perfect for sweaters and shawls)
Wool crepe, lace, and organic cotton for varied textures
For Cocoa Burgundy:
Velvet (a match made in heaven with this color!)
Wool and tweed for daytime elegance
Silk dupioni for evening wear with its natural sheen
Your Holiday Makeup Color Palette at a Glance
As a Soft Autumn, these are your standout holiday makeup colors:
Soft cranberry
Muted soft pink
Soft coppery brown
Soft sparkling gold
Satin rose pink
Creamy bronze
Buttermilk white
Cocoa burgundy
Make It Your Own: Soft Autumn Color Palette
Remember, ladies, these outfit ideas are inspiration, not prescription. I don't know your body type or personal style preferences—use these as creative jumping-off points for expressing your unique version of Soft Autumn elegance.
The holiday season is the perfect time to experiment! If you're a true Soft Autumn, the entire spectrum of colors in your palette will look stunning on you. It's simply a matter of finding the right intensity of color combinations and pairing them with complementary accessories and makeup.
So embrace those soft, warm, muted watercolor hues. Try unexpected combinations like midnight navy with cranberry, or coppery brown for evening glamour. Choose fabrics that add luxurious texture. And most importantly, have fun with it!
You deserve to feel absolutely radiant this holiday season.
With festive style and elegance, Renaissance Woman of Style
Uncertain about which style personality aligns best with your lifestyle, career goals, and personal branding message, I encourage you to consider the (RWS Color & Style Rebrand Intensive.) In this online package, we will collaborate closely in a virtual setting to redefine your personal brand.
(Watch the Entire RWS Style Personality Series)
Do you consider yourself to be a Renaissance woman of style navigating pivotal transitions in your career, business or personal life? If so, I invite you to apply for an exclusive, complimentary 30-minute Lifestyle Clarity session with Tonya.
In this session, you’ll explore your evolving style and brand, receive personalized insights on your next steps, and discover how you can continue to elevate your journey as one of Tonya’s exclusive clients through her signature, elite RWS programs.
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