Given the turmoil and tumult of the times, it’s likely that many of us are trying to determine how best to express our emotions in ways beyond words. We may see T-shirts with images and expressions broadcasting political activism (or accessories that implore us to vote!) and we may even wear certain colors of clothing to suggest a state of mind or commitment to a cause (for example, Jane Fonda and the red coat she wears to environmental protests). We may seek out bright colors to suggest a level of hope and optimism (see Vogue’s recommendation of lemon yellow for this Fall) or we may wear a certain color because, unbeknownst to us, fashion editors have dictated that this is the season’s trendy color. (After all, who can forget the memorable scene in The Devil Wears Prada when Meryl Streep reads Anne Hathaway’s character the riot act for giggling about a color conversation). In fact, there’s a whole psychology around what color means and projects about our life, and how it affects and reflects our mood.

So it probably makes perfect sense, given the upside-down nature of today’s world, that this Fall, fashion forecasters seem to be all over the place in suggesting what colors are stylish and on-trend. For example, Harper’s Bazaar recommends a veritable rainbow of colors, from sorbet pink to all black, with neutrals, earth tones, and grays in between. In contrast, Marie Claire suggests reds, deep pinks and blues, and olive green in addition to the always popular neutrals of black, gray, and caramel. To really throw you for a loop, Who What Wear’s list of colors to “make you look younger” (is that something we even want at this point?) includes 4 colors guaranteed to give you a lift: Turquoise, Red-Violet, Periwinkle, and “New Black,” i.e., something more akin to navy and charcoal. Indeed, the diversity of colors you’ll see this Fall likely reflects the wide range of sentiments we feel as we grapple with a changing world. Finally, as a reminder of how older women can incorporate color into their wardrobes, refresh your memory with this previous agebuzz post, Color By Number: Older Women And Colorful Clothing.

Finally, artist Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way.” So this Fall, if you’ve got something to say, consider color as one way to get your message across.