This Fruit Will Rule The Fall Color Scheme (Hint: It’s Not Pumpkin)

Yes, 2025 is shaping up to be the year figs take over not just our cheeseboards, but our wardrobes, our interiors, and our Instagram feeds. After summer was painted in “butter yellow,” that creamy, optimistic shade that made everything feel like Amalfi lemon cake, fall demands something darker, more mysterious. Enter the fig: deep plum flesh wrapped in dusky green skin, dripping with symbolism and centuries of cultural mystique.

Figs are not here to decorate your latte or make a statement on your front porch. They’re here to define the entire season’s moodboard. From the kitchen to the athletic wear, figs are everywhere this fall. 

Why Figs, Why Now?

2025 has been the year of edible aesthetics. Think tomato girl summer, strawberry makeup, latte wardrobes. Food has been driving fashion, beauty, and design in ways that blur the line between kitchen and closet. The fig fits seamlessly into this trend, but with more sophistication than its sunnier predecessors.

Figs offer something richer, more international, and dare we say, sexier.

Pumpkins are cheerful and cozy. Apples are wholesome and crisp. Figs, however, are moody, lush, and unapologetically sensual. They don’t scream “family hayride.” They whisper “candlelit dinner in Tuscany.”

This is why the fig is the perfect fruit for fall 2025. It bridges the gap between the warm, sunny light of late summer and the darker, colder evenings of autumn. The palette includes purple flesh, wine-red juices, soft taupe seeds, and a skin varying from dark purple to green and every shade in between. It truly feels like nature’s couture.

The Cultural Symbolism of Figs: Fertility, Abundance, and Mystery

The fig isn’t just a fruit; historically, it’s a myth, a symbol, and in some cultures, nearly a sacred object.

• Biblical Symbolism: The fig tree appears repeatedly in the Bible. Adam and Eve famously covered themselves with fig leaves, cementing the fruit as a metaphor for modesty and mystery. Christ also cursed a barren fig tree, turning the fruit into a symbol of spiritual abundance or lack thereof.

• Classical Antiquity: In ancient Greece, figs were associated with fertility, virility, and prosperity. They were considered Aphrodite’s fruit, a sensual delicacy shared by lovers. Romans took it further, using figs in rituals meant to ensure fertility and abundance.

• Eastern Traditions: In Buddhism, enlightenment itself is linked to the fig. Siddhartha Gautama meditated under a Bodhi tree (a type of fig) until he reached nirvana. The fruit and its tree symbolize wisdom, longevity, and transcendence.

• Art History: Figs have graced still-life paintings for centuries, often nestled among grapes and pomegranates as symbols of decadence. They’re the fruit that whispers rather than shouts, rich in allegory and allure.

So when you drape yourself in fig tones this fall, you’re not just following a trend, you’re channeling thousands of years of symbolism: fertility, wisdom, and a touch of mystery.

How the Fig Shade Fits into Fall 2025’s Palette

The fig palette is versatile because it sits at the intersection of jewel tones and neutrals. Unlike pumpkin orange (which can feel too literal or kitschy), fig’s plum-and-wine hues feel sophisticated and seasonless. Here’s how it fits:

• With Camel Coats: Imagine a deep fig-colored knit peeking out from under a camel trench. It’s the kind of pairing that looks Old Money without trying.

• With Gold Jewelry: Fig tones make gold pop. A wine-colored sweater and a chunky gold chain scream understated luxury.

• With Cream Interiors: Think cream sofas, fig-colored throw pillows, and brass lamps. Suddenly, your living room looks like an Architectural Digest spread.

• With Rustic Tablescapes: Swap out pumpkins for bowls of figs, eucalyptus branches, and beeswax candles. The effect is both ancient and fresh, as if you’re dining in an Italian vineyard.

Even in beauty, fig works wonders. A fig-hued lipstick (think somewhere between plum and merlot) instantly elevates a look, while fig-toned nails are the moody alternative to summer’s cherry red.

How to Embrace the Fig Aesthetic Without Being Gimmicky

The beauty of figs is that they’re subtle. Unlike pumpkin spice, which screams at you from every latte cup, the fig aesthetic is quieter and more refined. The goal isn’t to dress up as a fig, it’s to borrow its mood and palette. Here’s how:

1. Wardrobe Updates

• Invest in one fig-colored statement piece. Maybe a silk blouse, a cashmere sweater, or a pair of suede heels.

• Use fig shades in accessories if you’re color-shy. A fig leather handbag or scarf pairs beautifully with autumn neutrals.

• Mix fig with textures: fig velvet is luxurious, fig corduroy is nostalgic, and fig satin is evening-ready.

2. Beauty Looks

• Opt for fig-inspired lip colors: plum glosses, wine-stained tints, or matte berry lipsticks.

• Experiment with fig-toned eyeliner or eyeshadow for a sultry, smoky-eyed, fall-ready look.

• Nail polish in fig tones is the perfect in-between for women who are tired of classic burgundy but not ready for jet-black.

3. Home Aesthetic

• Swap summer linens for fig-toned throws and pillows. Extra points for involving the fall textures: corduroy, velvet, flannel, etc.

• Use figs in centerpieces, literally. A wooden bowl of fresh figs on the table looks rustic and elegant.

• Accent with gold and cream for balance. A fig shade alone can feel heavy, but with warm neutrals, it feels luxe.

4. Tablescapes and Entertaining

• Serve figs alongside cheese, honey, and walnuts for an instantly chic appetizer.

• Style place settings with fig-colored napkins tied in silk ribbon.

• Use fig and wine tones in candles, table runners, and florals for a layered look that feels romantic and cozy.

The Psychology of Figs vs. Pumpkins

Part of the fig’s appeal is psychological. Pumpkins are nostalgic; they remind us of childhood, of trick-or-treating, of carving faces with blunt knives. But figs are for grown-ups. They’re decadent and don’t please many children’s palates. They say: you’ve graduated from pumpkin pies and you’re ready for wine pairings and mature cheeses.

This is why the fig aesthetic feels like the natural progression of fall. We’ve collectively done the pumpkin thing for decades. Figs offer something richer, more international, and dare we say, sexier.

Why Figs Are Perfect for the 2025 Mood

If butter yellow was about optimism, figs are about introspection. Culturally, 2025 has been a year of contradictions: we want joy but also depth, comfort but also substance. The fig aesthetic taps into that duality. It’s cozy but not basic, moody but not gloomy.

It also reflects a global shift toward timelessness. People are tired of fast, gimmicky trends, there’s less and less of a shock value anymore. The fig, with its ancient symbolism and slow, indulgent vibe, feels like an anchor in a fast-moving world. It tells us: take it slow, savor the richness, and lean into elegance.

The fig is not just a fruit, it’s a moodboard. It’s the embodiment of everything fall should be in 2025: rich, layered, mysterious, and deeply human. It connects us to ancient cultures, elevates our wardrobes, and sets the tone for everything from interiors to dinner parties.

Pumpkin will always have a place in our lattes and on our porches, but figs? Figs are for women who want their autumn to feel a little more sophisticated, a little more timeless, and a lot more chic. It’s both something new and something borrowed from centuries-old traditions. 

So this fall, when you’re planning your outfits, changing your interiors, or organizing your next dinner party, remember: orange is for everyone. But figs? Figs are for the women who know that elegance is always a little moody, and for the women ready to bring this historic and culturally relevant fruit back to the forefront of our culture. I know, I know, it’s just a fruit. But for the next few weeks, it's a lot more than that.