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Interpreting Pantone’s Influence on Spring 2013 Fashion

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Do you ever wonder how fashion trends develop? When following the latest runway shows, similar styles and themes appeared to crop up among the major design houses. Although there are many forces that guide the fashion industry, when it comes to choosing an on-trend color palette, Pantone is the reigning queen. Twice each year, color specialists and fashion experts hold an exclusive meeting to decide upon a color palette for the coming season. The resulting Pantone color reports are essential viewing for any lover of fashion.

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What Are Pantone’s Spring 2013 Colors?
For the spring 2013 season, Pantone’s color palette references fresh, beautiful floral colors. The colors aren’t as saturated as in years past, but have more boldness than basic pastels. They feature the beautiful Nectarine, muted Dusk Blue, lush Monaco Blue, dusky African Violet, vibrant green Tender Shoots, bright Lemon Zest, punchy Poppy Red, a refreshing Grayed Jade and calming Linen. Also included is the hue named 2013 Color of the Year: Emerald. Incorporating any of these colors into your wardrobe is sure to keep you on-trend for the spring season.

How to Wear the Pantone Colors
In general, it’s best to stick to just one or two key colors in any look. Unless you’re wearing a colorful floral frock or another print, having too many colors in one outfit overwhelms you. Several of the Pantone colors naturally pair well together: Lemon Zest with African Violet, Monaco Blue with Tender Shoots or Nectarine with Dusk Blue.

To incorporate these hues into your favorite looks, find a great pair of fitted ankle-length pants in a punchy shade. Poppy Red pants look timeless and classic when paired with a white button-down shirt. Or find Monaco Blue pants for a fresh take on regular navy blue. If you’re wearing bold colored pants, pair them with neutral ballet flats and a simple top. Add your favorite necklace and stud earrings to complete the look.

Fresh New Looks with Fashion-Forward Colors
One of the freshest ways to wear this season’s hottest colors is with fun prints. Floral prints are big this year, cropping up in blouses, dresses and shoes. Find a frock with African Violet, Tender Shoots or Dusk Blue to look ultra-chic. Add some tougher accessories like a fitted leather jacket or sexy booties to keep the floral look from becoming too girly.

Another hot trend this year is stripes. Look for a Red Poppy striped rugby-style shirt to pair with tailored linen shorts. This unexpected pairing looks fresh, modern and chic without losing your casual cool-girl vibe. Alternatively, find a striped boatneck dress with three-quarter length sleeves in Emerald or Tangerine to create an ensemble that flatters nearly every figure. Pair it with a fitted blazer and cute heels, and add chandelier earrings to complete the look.

When experimenting with Pantone’s spring 2013 colors, less is more. Updating your wardrobe can be as simple as winding a Monaco Blue scarf around your neck or finding a great pair of Poppy Red flats. Adding one or two key pieces into your regular wardrobe rotation helps you stay on-trend without breaking the bank. Or invest in a gorgeous Emerald structured leather handbag for a piece you can take everywhere. Adding one or two pops of color to each look will keep you looking fresh and modern.

Hot Colors for Dreary Winter Days

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Winter’s palette tends toward dreary: Outside, the sky is grey, the trees are bare and nothing grows. When the world around you is cold, dark and damp, a little pop of color can enhance your mood, giving you that little lift that helps get you through the day.

Warm Colors That Work for Winter

Chartreuse adds a hint of unexpected color that’s more chic than sunshine or butter yellows. This acid yellow green color works best in small doses, so rather than go full-on chartreuse, try it in an accessory or layer a chartreuse tank under your basic black blazer for a cheery pop of color.

On the yellow spectrum, lemon is also in. This shade’s a little less wild, so you can really show some color. Try fun winter wellies in lemon yellow, wear a lemon-colored dress to a nighttime event or include yellow in a separates look.

Neon pink turns up the dial on a classic feminine color, giving it the necessary oomph to add flair to your winter wardrobe. Look for flaming flamingo, magenta, fuchsia or hot pink. For a sophisticated work outfit, pair a neon pink or even fuchsia shirt with a black or charcoal pencil skirt for a pop of color that doesn’t lack in sophistication. Or try a neon pink statement necklace, winter scarf or beanie.

Orange is still in, so extend the life on some of those orange shirts, sweaters, earrings and scarves you may have picked up for fall trends. Orange can be tricky to pull off in a head-to-toe style and may look too Halloween-y if you match it with black, so try pairing this hue with camel and beige neutrals for a classy take on pumpkin colors.

Cooling it Down a Notch

Not every woman’s a warm color fan, especially when it comes to the brighter shades. If you prefer blues and purples, these are still great accent colors to wear in winter.

Emerald green is bright yet classy and was just named Pantone’s color of the year for 2013. Rich greens like this evoke the coming days of spring, helping you remember that you can get through winter! This shade works equally well for daytime events and nighttime ones; Angelina Jolie wore an emerald dress to the 2011 Golden Globes, for example.

Teal also works well as an accent color for winter. Teal and its cousin turquoise pair well with hot reds and pinks, yet work equally well with sophisticated blacks. Try a teal skirt with a cozy black sweater, or wear teal tights or legwarmers to give your legs some love on a dreary day.

If you’re not much for bold colors, start with a hue like teal to build some confidence. After you’ve put a few looks together, work in some of the bolder hues. You don’t have to go head-to-toe to give your wardrobe some much-needed color in the depths of winter. Even a splash of color will lift tired spirits.