This Popular ’80s Color Palette Will Be Making a Big Comeback for Fall

Vibrant hues are a major part of this year’s forecasted fall trends, especially outfits with an ’80s color palette. It’s a markedly different vibe for the season: With the start of the school year, September typically marks the return of autumnal hues to our closets. We expect the bright colors of summer to give way to brown, black, burgundy, and the like. But while those timeless hues will always be in style, bolder and more surprising options are now in the conversation too.

The combination of red and purple, in particular, has already won over celebrities, whoa re adding a pop of color to their off-duty looks. On the streets of New York, Zoey Deutch expertly pulled off a purple cardigan with red pants, while Dua Lipa rocked a head-to-toe Ferragamo ensemble at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, wearing a purple dress with red mules and an east-west bag. For a softer approach, Emma Grede paired her lavender cardigan with a bold red skirt. Or, if you’re feeling bold, you might feel inspired by the way Lisa Rinna color-blocked a bold tomato dress with a purple sash. For something in between, Britt Lower combined the two hues in one shirt layered under a leather jacket. With all of these examples, it’s clear the red-and-purple combo is shaping up to be the season’s most desirable pairing.

It’s not an entirely new concept to mix red and purple, of course. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, the combination had a major impact on the trends of the era. The pairing won over many icons of both music and film, from Cher’s vibrant style to Olivia Newton-John’s form-fitting looks to Princess Diana’s timeless approach. Grace Jones even showcased how this combination works with beauty looks by often pairing purple eye shadow or blush with her signature red lips.