April 10, 2024
“New” Colors! Or at least we can say “colors that have been identified as being influential for this spring…”
I’m going to confess right now – I’m in a complete muddle about WHICH of the many Pantone seasons I have and have not covered, and further, I’m not 100% sure that this is the most recent! Neither of these facts is really a big deal, when you get right down to it; the big thing to learn from posts like this is to give yourself some room and some time to consider if a new color in your wardrobe might be fun.
Or might be super-useful.
Or might make you happy. Happy is really the bottom line for getting dressed…
Let’s jump in with 5 of the 10 colors from London Fashion Week…
This first color? As much as you would think that turquoise would grow on fashion trees, it’s actually pretty hard to find. But this dress! THIS DRESS! If I were in a position to come in from work and spend the evening on the deck/patio/poolside, I would grab this and live in it…
The earrings are pretty delicious too…
Earrings – Harfi; dress – At Last…; necklace – Latelita; bracelet – Gorjana; bag – OhSun; sandals – Clarks
Strong Blue? This is cobalt blue, and I defy anyone to say otherwise! It’s also a beautiful color, and would be easy to incorporate into any wardrobe with a pair of white pants, or a white skirt, or a pair of black capris…
Yes, it was popular in the 80s. But that was over 40 years ago, and we have to get over that (although I remember with great fondness a pair of “long” shorts and blazer in linen, in this color, from Liz Claiborne…).
Blouse – Boden; earrings – Kendra Scott; nail polish – Candy Paints; chalcedony pendant – Golden Horn Jewellery; quilted bag – Sol & Selene; sandals – Spenco
I couldn’t find a garment in this next Bistro Green, but I found gorgeous accessories… If your wardrobe has a lot of beige, or brown, or ivory, or bone, this color would look lovely…
Scarf – Artifact.; earrings – Yaa Yaa London; headband – Adiba; bag – Sapahn; bracelet – Lori Kaplan Jewelry Design; sandals – Birkenstock
Chutney, interestingly enough, is a color of swimwear at both J.Crew and Boden! But they didn’t have any garments…
Still, this is a rich and beautiful warm brown that would look amazing with navy, and be brilliant for transition to autumn with a wardrobe of beige or ivory. I just think this is a wonderful shade – I hope it carries into the rest of the year!
Tee shirt – AllSaints; earrings – Lavish by Tricia Milaneze; scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; bag – Maria Maleta; bracelet – Lavish by Tricia Milaneze; loafers – SoftWalk
Today’s last color is Spicy Mustard – and I’ll say it for the 200th time: “if you look good in yellow – WEAR IT!”
So many of us are not flattered by yellow, or just plain feel uncomfortable wearing it. For those of you who embrace it, do so with vigor – nothing is more cheering to see on the street than a dash of yellow in a sea of black and more black!
Sleeveless top – Conquista; earrings – Sita Nevado; scarf – Lost Pattern NYC; belt – Ada; bag – Lefrik; sandals – Sorel
I will share the other 5 colors from the Pantone selection on Friday, and then on Monday I will assemble a couple of neutral wardrobe cores, to which we can add the accent colors and see how they function.
I love these posts – even though it’s maddening to find exactly the right items to please my finicky eye!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, I made a case for overpacking when one is setting off for emergency travel. It’s still quite timely!
Like this article? Save it to Pinterest!
Agree that chutney has great potential. I’d wear it as a neutral. For me, the range of possible accents would be pretty extensive: apple green, tangerine, corn yellow, flamingo pink, coral, geranium red, aqua.
I’m hoping this turquoise finds its way back.
Seriously, who comes up with these names?!! Strong blue was “electric blue” in the 80’s. My mother had a show stopping evening gown with a plunging neckline, sequins and shoulder pads in that colour. I’ll never forget it and she wore eyeshadow to match 😂
Yes indeed. I wore ‘electric blue’ in the 80’s too! The names amuse me – I love the colour they have named ‘chutney’ and wear it a lot, but imagine saying you have a ‘chutney coloured’ garment!
I like these – it’s nice to see new colors come through when it’s time to replace wardrobe items. I bought a French chore jacket from garden heir in bistro green or a close cousin of it – what they call a French green. And a great poplin button up shirt from Alex Mill that I think you featured a few weeks ago in the Spicy Mustard – what they called Amalfi yellow.
I am so grateful you have introduced us to many independent designers. The innovative products are reflective of a creative vision for form and function rather than promoting a brand.
These unique designs tend to be the statement item for my otherwise simple column style of dress. I’ve noted with delight that the chutney backpack bag comes in a mini style better suited to my 5’ height. Score!
Morning Ladies. The Bistro Green and Chutney seem more fall-ish to me. And isn’t it funny how we associate colors with seasons? I also remember wearing that blue with black during the 80’s. Color blocked. I’ve added about three pieces in not quite that color but close for spring/summer. I hadn’t intended to, but I’m so tired of looking into my sea of navy closet – along w/a few pieces in lavender and larkspur. I truly get very bored of wearing what I perceive to be “the same thing” for months on end. Anyway, I”ll look forward to Friday – as I always look forward to M, W, Fri and your posts. Have a good day everyone
This one started out great for me – two of my accent colors right up front! Could Horizon Blue be considered Cyan? I look forward to adding more of it to my wardrobe.
In high school in the 80s I had Electric Blue jeans and granny boots – ankle boots that laced up, with a little kitten heal. I wore them with a fabulous, big-shouldered, straight black blazer that was covered with huge, bright, multi-colored roses. I still have the jacket, but sadly the booties are long gone. I did just find a pair of cobalt blue jeans at Goodwill, though.
Highly recommend the Clarks sandals in the Horizon Blue feature. I picked up a couple of pairs in an earlier version at an outlet mall. Not only are these sandals cushy comfortable but the adjustable strap makes them fit for those of us with narrow feet. I’ve worn them at the beach, walking around the neighborhood, and running errands. Many compliments.
Electric blue must be acceptable—next week ALDIs is offering shoes in that color.
I absolutely love the Horizon Blue which is a lovely shade in between turquoise and azure/aqua. It’s one of my favourite colours for high summer but hard to find. Maxi dresses are ‘IN’ again. The Artifact scarf (Bistro Green) would look lovely framed and hung on a wall.
Janice,
Oh that Peach Field scarf ! While the Chutney and Mustard are Autumnal me, I am so glad that they are “ in” this season as I need a mustard cardigan . I already have some Bistro Green looking garments in my closet , so maybe I’ll find some accessories to harmonize with them. That Peach Field scarf is drawing me in !
Looking forward to the outfits !
When you pack for a trip, besides activities , weather , and length of trip, do you start the outfits planning based upon your travel outfit, and go from there ? Or do you think in terms of clusters or a neutrals core plus accents, right away ? i’m just curious about how your creative mind works in this application ! As well as for my own personal packing strategies .
I’m wearing my spicy mustard cardigan this morning and my t-shirt has some horizon blue in it so I’m feeling very pantone-y today :) Good to know I’m on trend.
Another fabulous Artifact scarf! Maybe we’ll see scarves from Artifact in next year’s lineup of Six Scarves 12 Months?
I wouldn’t be surprised – their scarves are amazing!
hugs,
Janice
The two blue colors are my favorite here, but I also really like mustard used sparingly in accessories (as is appropriate for a condiment).
I’ve had cobalt blue in my wardrobe forever, as it makes my skin look great. (I had a blouse from Liz Claiborne that I wore out in that color! Loved it!) The horizon blue is lovely, and I hope it continues into the summer. Looking forward to Friday.
oooh – I love the mustard color and will be on the hunt now. I wish the blouse would be more flattering on me, but the bow neck makes me look like I have tracts of land for my upper half.
I love the blues, and I hope more clothes come out in aqua/turquoise soon. It’s been hard to find lately, and the pieces I do have are just getting worn out!
Well you got me searching…
I have a lovely Liz Claiborne Woman white cotton cardigan. Has round neck with bright spring flowers printed on the bottom border. 3/4 sleeves. Usually worn buttoned up on its own like a jumper. The white is more cream these days. It was/is my Good Cardigan – went to an 80th birthday party and then unfortunately to the sames funeral. I have put on weight and can’t do it up like I used to. There was a matching t-shirt or singlet top with flowers around the bottom – I didn’t buy that.
I have just done a long image search and can’t find it but love a bit floral.
I’m thinking it is time for my cardigan to have a soak.
Thanks for the memories…
Not that it really matters, but I found this link with different colors:
https://www.pantone.com/articles/fashion-color-trend-report/new-york-fashion-week-spring-2024?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlN6wBhCcARIsAKZvD5j6SDSL3O95pu2w46QJ-SRdPkxFB-2Vptdy69ODQoBeEImcINvNbLMaAlCzEALw_wcB
These are New York – not London. I’m going to do these too, in the next week or so. I really love these posts, possibly more than any others!
thanks!
hugs,
Janice
I’m curious which Pantone blue is the vivid mid blue you’ve included in a lot of blue-based wardrobes lately. It seems all the stores are on the bandwagon, which is GREAT for me as a blue lover. My daughter calls me Blueberry.
Oh, very pretty. my daughter has lived in this blue for several years (combined with b/w & gray)
I’ll take the rest. 😆 I still carry my green bag and watch regularly.
But I recently bought a yellow bag. 💛
“Happy is really the bottom line for getting dressed”👏 👏 👏
Horizon blue – very tempting to me. I keep looking at these turquoise colors this year.
Strong blue – I love this. It’s objectively one of my best colors but I have the hardest time styling it in the real world where I don’t do light colored pants because that’s a form of hubris that the gods never fail to punish.
Bistro green – seriously a favorite. I think if you look for ‘spruce’ or maybe ‘pine’ you might have more luck. This is a staple of my autumn wardrobe. I combine it with pearly pinks and burgundy. In fact, I’ve been eyeing one of my autumn blouses in this color and wondering if I could get away with it in May…
Chutney – not even tempting. That is the shade of brown that convinced me always and forever that my undertone is cool. That color is toxic to me.
Spicy mustard – that one is so pretty but it’s a firm no for me.