With the weather cooling and layering season started, two standout shades are taking over: Chocolate and Wine. Both rich, warm and flattering, they bring depth and sophistication to Autumn/Winter wardrobes without trying too hard.
At Nova of London, these colours shine across our AW25 collection, with soft knits in deep browns and burgundy reds, to PU styles, relaxed tailoring, and dazzling partywear. Whether you prefer the understated ease of chocolate or the statement feel of wine, these tones are versatile enough to dress up or down all season long.
Why These Shades Work
Every season has its signature palette, and this year it’s all about depth, warmth and understated luxury. Shades like chocolate and wine fit seamlessly into that mood, sophisticated without being showy, and rich without feeling heavy. They’re the perfect balance between neutral and statement, offering endless ways to build polished, versatile looks for day or night.
Chocolate brown has quietly become the new black. It’s softer, easier to wear, and instantly adds a feeling of relaxed refinement. From oversized knits to tailored outerwear, it grounds any outfit while keeping it modern. Winter basics are now coming in chocolate as well as black, for example, NL258225, a fleece-lined legging or SP4245, a cosy crew neck knit jumper.
Wine on the other hand, brings a powerful look. A deep, berry-toned red that flatters every skin tone, it adds warmth and confidence to even the simplest look. Think a relaxed jumper with sparkling diamantes like CC2571 or an elegant high neck jumper adorned with gold buttons on the shoulder, such as WF5622, paired with black tailored trousers for a chic but subtle statement.
The Case for Chocolate
Chocolate brown isn’t just another neutral; it’s an Autumn-Winter staple. According to a recent piece on the pairing of burgundy and dark chocolate brown, the latter is described as “comfort incarnate… an alternative to black that feels softer, earthier, more grounded.”
This shade works because it carries depth without shouting for attention. In rich fabrics like faux leather or fur (NL258125), suede (NL258134) or stretch textiles (NL258208), Chocolate becomes far more than basic, it becomes the kind of hue you lean on. Pair it with warm creams, camel, bronze and even muted metallics to lift the look while keeping things grounded.
It also plays beautifully in texture-rich pieces. When worn in brushed finishes, cords, or fine knits, chocolate takes on a subtle dimensionality. Like the article suggests, varying within the colour family adds interest without going loud, think a soft mocha outer layer paired with a deep oxblood base.
For a wardrobe that wants to feel considered, rather than trendy, chocolate brown offers quiet sophistication. It’s versatile enough to wear day-to-night, and works across styles, tailoring, casual luxe and everything in between.
The Case for Wine
Think of wine, the rich, berry-toned red also known as burgundy or merlot, as the season’s statement yet refined shade. Deep enough to carry weight, still subtle enough to effortlessly integrate into the wardrobe, it offers an elevated alternative to brighter reds or standard neutrals. According to fashion editors, the hue is “the standout colour” of Autumn Winter 2025, blending drama with wearability.
Wine brings instant warmth and depth to an outfit. It plays beautifully in high-quality fabrics such as satin, velvet or coated finishes, textures that catch the light and give the colour a polished feel.
Wine also dominates when it comes to partywear and evening textures. The shade looks instantly luxurious in sparkly finishes like NL258433, burnout fabrics such as NL258420, or plush faux fur say NL258126, catching the light in all the right ways. It’s a colour that elevates festive dressing, rich enough to feel seasonal, but refined enough to avoid cliché. Wine brings a sense of glamour that feels modern and effortless.
Because it sits between classic and bold, wine is perfect when you want to stand out and get the season’s mood, but in a quiet and confident way. Whether worn as a jacket, a thick knit or a handbag that anchors the look, Wine offers versatility with a twist.
The Style Showdown
Though they both sit in the same rich, autumnal family, chocolate and wine offer different energies. Chocolate is all about subtlety, understated, calm, and quietly refined. It brings a sense of ease to dressing, working best for structured pieces like coats, co-ords or knitwear where its neutral depth can take centre stage. The effect is effortlessly polished, confident without needing attention.
Wine, by contrast, is expressive and romantic, a colour that makes an impact even in simple silhouettes. Think statement outerwear, fluid satin shirts or soft velvets that catch the light. While chocolate grounds an outfit, Wine transforms it; it’s the shade that stands out, full of character and confidence.
If chocolate speaks to timeless minimalism, Wine embodies bold sophistication. Choosing between isn’t about trend, but attitude and ultimately comes down to personal preference. Do you prefer the quiet luxury of earthy browns or the commanding presence of a deep rich red?
The Colours of the Season in Conclusion
Chocolate and wine may be different in tone and personality, but together they define the heart of the Autumn-Winter season. Chocolates' quiet luxury, seen in tactile textures, offers ease and versatility for everyday wear. It’s the shade that grounds a look, carrying sophistication without effort.
Whereas wine brings energy and allure. Whether it’s a diamante-detailed jumper, a gold-buttoned knit or the shimmer of burnout and sparkly fabrics, it adds richness and confidence to the season’s wardrobe. Wine injects glamour that feels elevated yet wearable.
Both colours capture Nova of London’s approach to Autumn Winter dressing, rich textures, flattering tones and timeless appeal. Separately, they speak to different moods: chocolate for effortless sophistication, wine for bold refinement. But side by side, they tell a cohesive story of warmth, texture and understated luxury. For example, pair NL258504, a Chocolate ribbed batwing jumper, with NL258318, a gorgeous wine quilted faux leather handbag for an unstoppable Autumn-Winter look. Whether your customer gravitates towards one or embraces both, these shades promise versatility, style, and a modern take on seasonal dressing that lasts beyond the trend cycle.
Discover the full spectrum of chocolate and wine tones in Nova of London’s Autumn/Winter collection here.
