October 18, 2019
Oh hurrah, new colors…. Which of course is absurd, but it always give us a chance to look at a whole bunch of French 5-Piece Wardrobes (which is also absurd…)
These are little ensembles of a sweater and some accessories, based loosely upon the colors that Pantone has chosen to feature for the upcoming Spring and Summer. The items that I’ve chosen do NOT match the Pantone colors exactly, because that’s the road to madness!
First up – RED! Always available, and a color that you either love or just never wear…
cardigan – BP.; earrings – Jane Basch Designs; scarf – Genevie; bag – Nordstrom; loafers – Børn
Saffron is the “Color of the Year” for 2020. If you can wear it, jump in and stand out in the crowd – the rest of us will just stand back and admire…
Oversized sweater – Halogen; bracelet – Rob-Ert; scarf – Nordstrom; mini-bag – Topshop; loafers – Louise et Cie
This looks like a muted navy to me!
¾ sleeve cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Nakamol Design; scarf – Free People; bag – Topshop; loafers – Sperry
This might be the color with which I had to vary the farthest from the Pantone color; it’s not an easy shade to find! Green isn’t really much available in the autumn, unless it’s quite dark.
Sweater – BP.; earrings – Kendra Scott; scarf – The Met Store; bag –Medea; sneakers – Cariuma
Speak of the devil! This green seems to be a bit cooler than olive, but it’s a hard thing to see, and even harder to find available…
cardigan – B.P.; earrings – Zandra Lorena Sajbin; scarf – Missoni; boots – Gabor; backpack – Bric’s
I’ll be eager to see if this darker soft blue becomes available in stores as spring approaches. I had to settle with a lighter muted blue, but I still find it pretty…
Sweater – Everlane; earrings – Bhavesh; scarf – Eileen Fisher; boots – Sheridan Mia; tote – Frame
Again, this color wasn’t a perfect match, but if you love orange, you won’t be upset!
Cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – NST Studio M’O; scarf – Violet del Mar; bag – Patrizia Pepe; loafers – Bueno
I would call this color teal or petrol blue, but I don’t get paid the big money by Pantone to name colors…
Sweater – Lands’ End; earrings – Jose & Maria Barrera; scarf – GISY; bag – Dooney & Bourke; flats – Adrienne Vittadini
I wasn’t able to find a bag or shoes in this color; I suspect that as the weather warms in the Northern Hemisphere next spring, they might be more available.
cardigan – Lands’ End; pearl earrings – Catherine Canino; tee shirt – L.L.Bean; scarf – Sferra; socks – Darner Socks
Okay, maybe THIS color was the worst match! But how far wrong can you go with coral? If it appeals, it looks good on almost everyone, and goes with pretty much every neutral. What’s not to love…
Sweater – Banana Republic; earrings – Express; scarf – Barts; bag – Radley London; socks – Stance
I’m happy to report that brown clothes seem to be somewhat more readily available this fall. And it’s about time, eh?
cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Alexis Bittar; scarf – Eileen Fisher; bag – Hiva Atelier; boots – Frye
And finally, this (according to Pantone) is going to be a very dark, muted purple. I again couldn’t match it, so I just picked pretty purple things!
Sweater – Banana Republic; amethyst earrings – Auree Jewellery; scarf – Louise Coleman; crossbody bag – Baggallini; socks – Columbia
Which do you love the most? The least? I of course adore the red, and don’t really hate any of them. Still, not in this lifetime am I wearing anything saffron-colored…
love,
Janice
p.s. 3 years ago, I posted a tote-bag travel wardrobe in black, beige and teal…
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You have chosen such pretty things! I love all of them, but will also not wear yellow anytime soon. That red cardigan and red loafers is top of my list, but the “teal” sweater is so pretty. I want all the beautiful stuff, but it is good to shop with the eyes. Thanks Janice
I love yellow, but don’t feel confident wearing it near my face. But, I’ve added a pair of Rothy’s point flats in marigold and a purse in saffron—plus, my mom brought me a beautiful scarf from France that’s saffron on one side and charcoal on the other. I can fold the yellow away from my face. Enjoy all the colors!
I’m with you on the saffron point – I had a saffron bat-wing jumper in 1986 that made me look permanently ill.
Grape compote for me!
The saffron seems to be all over the place already this fall. I think it’s a hard color to wear. Of all of these I prefer the red, also.
Janice,
The cinnamon, teal, grape, and coral for me as well as the soft yellow. However, the cinnamon and teal are more of my Fall/Winter look . Spring would be the grape , coral and yellow . For Summer, the faded denim is already my go to choice for hot days , along with soft whites and the coral . I fail to understand why there have to be “ new” colors anyway ! Just a marketing ploy !
And add that dark blue for the incoming cold months !
My favourites are the classic blue, faded denim, mosaic teal, grape compote and cinnamon. I would be happy to add any of these French Fives to my wardrobe. I don’t wear brown any more since going grey, but still love it, especially as an accent colour with dark blue, burgundy, black – almost anything. You’ve chosen such nice clothes here that it’s hard to pick my favourites. (But I’d be surprised to see the orange or yellow colours surviving beyond one season.)
I was happiest to see the classic blue. I am very fair and dark colors overwhelm. True navy is even darker than I prefer to wear; classic blue is my dark neutral! I frequently wear the light denim. Coral and light green are my two favorite accent colors. I just wish these lighter colors were more readily available in fall and winter.
I would never wear the saffron or purple.
Think I’ll call that muted blue “gravy” since it looks blue/gray to me.
Nut ball… Congrats on the marathon, by the way!
xoxo,
J
I love all of the blue colors. I wouldn’t wear the yellows or corals because I have am a soft summer with a neutral/cool skin tone so I can’t wear warm tones.
Wow! Thank you for this article, looking forward to next articles to see how you will combine them! What a treat! I have several of these colors and I am glad to see the same colors repeted under different names LOL. For example flame scarled and jester red. I can’t discern the difference.
Over the years following, I evolved color families for each season, that was the hardest part. I am so glad to see dominance of autumn colors since that is my colouring, I believe I will snatch brown pod now it will funally return. Regarding saffran, I only have a cardigan, but that is enough. I learned that less is more than enough.
This summer I implemented your idea to have a multicoloured skirt and draw my colors from that.
I love the teal and the brown.
I love looking at yellow but can’t wear it, however, your pictures made me realize I could always get yellow shoes or a yellow bag. They’d go fine with my usual clothes — I mostly wear denim or black or navy or khaki/linen — wouldn’t they?
Absolutely! As the sun goes beautifully in the blue sky, and the yellow stripes on the bumblebee, I think yellow is pretty good with almost anything…
hugs,
Janice
My favorite umbrella has van Gogh’s Sunflowers all over it and I never think twice about using it — it’s always perfect.
Thanks for putting all these together!
Shops over here in the U.K. seem to be promoting maroon/plum this season. I love it with grey/teal/navy/beige.
My husband says that he sees a lot of burgundy on people in The Loop. I don’t see as much of it as he does, but I’ll take his word for it!
hugs,
Janice
I too thought red was always available, but not this fall. Could not find it. That saffron is violent! Brown purses and shoes are everywhere…stock up
I’m just mad about Saffron. She’s just mad about me. … but I digress. ;)
I actually have a pair of work pants in that color that I **love** (I wear navy or burgundy with them). I love the color but really must keep it away from my face. Wouldn’t Saffron and Chive look wonderful together in autumn?!
I love all the blues, the lavender, a clear red and the coral. The pale lemon yellow or sunshine is nice, I usually wear a few things in that light clear lemon yellow with my spring & summer navy, grey and chalk white neutrals.
I love thinking about the 5 item accent capsules. They add such life and sparkle to the neutral core.
I’m avoiding the saffron or mustardy gold yellow though. As others noted- it’s everywhere.
I think that is a coming trend that might last more than a year. Good news for the people who need warmer more muted fall colours in clothing.
Urban Decay cosmetics are usually perfectly in sync with the colour trends and they just released the Naked Honey palette which is themed around honey golds and mustard yellow. I’m seeing a lot of olive green shades as well among the big brands at Sephora.
I’m not a fall toned person but they usually have a hard time and I think the warmer more muted tones might dominate for a little longer this time if the cosmetics industry is forecasting it right.
Contrary to most, it seems, I’ll grab those warm yellows as soon as I can see them :) I also like the teal, brown and red! I might give the “faded denim” and rose a try, if they’re warm-ish enough. I wonder if the blue might be right for my transition towards denim…
Anyway, thank you for this introduction!
I love the buttery yellow and the coral pink…the light blue too! Saffron has been everywhere for several seasons now…I have one bright saffron sweater and it always elicits positive comments, believe it or not! I always enjoy your posts and have been following for years-thank you!
I love the cinnamon. Love all Browns and rusts. I would not wear yellows, reds, or pastels.
i’m with you. i could never wear “saffron”. but i like that light yellow. it might be a possibility. i’ll have to try it in person.
also, i have that exact radley bag (in blush) that you show in the pink spread. i absolutely love it! i highly recommend that bag. radley is very good quality.
Classic blue and mosaic blue for me! Oh, and faded denim. I have a saffron colored wallet that I bought at Liberty on a visit to London many years ago, and it makes me happy – but I can’t actually wear that color. – nancyo
Finally! A yellow I like is coming back in – Sunshine. I will be very happy come spring. Hopefully.
I am feeling very not there with my clothes and I think it’s because after 2 or 3 years of knowing I am coordinating to one particular scarf, I am no longer in love with the scarf. So I’m kind of floundering with no real direction. And of course all my clothes are those colors. I’m sort of hoping that the season finally changing in the south it will help. I get so tired of my summer clothes – it happens every year.
I do too – and I don’t know why they get “blah” in my mind so much faster than my winter clothes! I think a refresher accent color might be one way to freshen up things a bit…
hugs,
Janice
Favorites: Faded Denim and Coral Pink. Also like the other blues and greens including the “chive” which looks like dark olive. I would never wear purple or saffron/yellow shades, but they are lovely on people with other coloring than mine. The Pantone colors this year are interesting and some just plain classic. Thanks for this post! I’ll look out for that faded denim especially!
Janice Collins Coyle, Washington, DC
Funny, I’m in the south of France right now, so I thought it was just a local thing. The market is just full of clothing in the darker colours of this collection, especially the saffron; however the red, yellow, green and blue are all very much on the brown side, looking very earthy. It looks great with the colouring of the French and Catalan women. For blue-eyed, pink-skinned me, it’s a big no.
You’re right. The Pantone colour thing is all so silly. I wonder how they are still around doing these releases of “new” colours.
I sometimes wish you did get paid the big bucks by Pantone to name the colors! I’ve been binge-reading back through 2017- and, of course, the getting started posts. It’s been enlightening and fun! I urge other readers to take your advice on so many fronts, but especially on having one of those consultants figure out your best colors. You can then carry your best neutrals and accents in a little book, which makes dropping new items into your (CAREFULLY PLANNED!) wardrobe, so much easier. Another little tip I learned: if you already know your best colors, grab some samples at the paint store (or if you’re looking for one of the new Pantone colors!)- you can carry it around and know that it’s going to work when you get it home. As for the new colors- coral, always! I love red, but that one appears to be dulled down a bit with brown or grey- and I know that’s not very flattering on me! That’s always the frustration with shopping online. I don’t like burning the carbon to have something delivered or having to send it back! ALWAYS look forward to your posts-so many great ideas to stretch what I already own. And guess what? I’m old enough to actually have several capsules with differing sets of neutrals grey/navy (for warmer months) grey/black for cooler months… I just can’t feel like wearing black in the summer months when the temps are in the upper 90s to more than 100.
I like the red, it’s my go to color with my neutrals. Who looks good in saffron? I don’t. Does anyone really buy by Pantone colors? I wear what looks good on me not the flavor of the season.
Last weekend I was at a reunion on a college campus. I saw one woman in a darling dress with a saffron background and large black floral print. Pretty close to the school colors! She looked awesome in it and I told her so. I also told her that I knew very few people who could pull it off.
Good for you for complimenting her! I try to give positive feedback to at least 1 woman every day; I think we need more support and appreciation for our sisters from other mothers…
hugs,
Janice
The classic blue, faded denim and chive already live in my closet. Some of these hues are too warm and clear for me, the others look very dirty which is saying a lot since I like muted colors.
I love the purple, greens and the deeper blue. I’ve just started to branch out into the warmer corals and tangerines and rust. Fell in love with cinnamon and SAFFRON! Can’t do paler yellows except perhaps as an accessory (great idea!). I don’t ever choose red, but I have 2 red sweaters that I wear around the holidays and I always receive compliments when I wear them.
I was searching for a post called “A Touch of Teal”. I saw it on FB but the link to the images was bad. I can’t find it on your website. Any assistance would be appreciated! Thanks so much!
Patti
LOVE the saffron & chive! I’m glad these colors are returning, I can wear them easily. Like the brown, marine blue, orange & grape also, but not as much .