SPRING 2015 COLOR TRENDS
Spring is a season of change and rejuvenation, making it the perfect time to refresh the color palette in your wardrobe. After a long winter spent in the comfort of dark tones, now is the time to seize the moment, wear less black (we’re all guilty) and explore the advantages that spring’s color trends have to offer. Far from the exhausted variations of pinks and pastels, designers worked with understated classics this season that take on a whole new role when paired with the proper vibrant accents. You may be surprised by the outcome and how easy it is to incorporate the same shades into your own lifestyle.
A vital influence for spring was the golden decade of the ‘70s, but you won’t find hot pink or groovy green in any of the collections. According to the spring pantone color report “there is an emphasis on the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum, with bold color taking a more supportive role as an accent.” Imagine revisiting the fashion scene of the ‘70s without all of the bright orange corduroy, tie-dye tank tops or cringe inducing patterns.
You’d be left with effortlessly cool flared denim, fringe in all the right places and just the right amount of femininity in your florals. This is the picture of the current season, which is reflected by muted tones and leaves the drama of the era to nostalgic silhouettes re- invented for the modern woman.
Pantone hits the nail on the head with their color lineup, which includes almost every shade of the rainbow in a unique way. Aquamarine, toasted almond, tangerine, strawberry ice and lucite green were a few that were noticeably utilized by designers and can be incorporated into any woman’s closet with minimal effort. Also included were a few deeper hues such as marsala, glacier grey and custard, which lend an appropriate air of sophistication to the list.
Marsala in particular stands out as a strong color for spring 2015 because of its pairing possibilities. The wine-colored hue looks polished without being overdone and pairs well with white, navy, lavender and olive, just to name a few. As pointed out by Pantone’s executive director Leatrice Eisemen, “Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us into its embracing warmth.”
Aside from Marsala, any of these colors can be worn fearlessly with a head-to-toe monochromatic look, which is also a noted trend from the pre-fall shows. Try a silk jumpsuit at first and work your way up to a daring three-piece ensemble to achieve a truly posh appearance. If matchy-matchy isn’t exactly your thing, then explore the bohemian inspired patterns of the season and pair with brighter accessories like a statement clutch or shoe. The most important detail to consider when shopping the trend is the actual shade and saturation of the color. Strawberry ice is pink in theory, but the actual variation between the two shades is a night and day difference that can alter the whole look.
Moving past the strong influence of the ‘70s, some designers chose to walk on the modern side, notably with punches of primary colors. Balmain mixed bright red, yellow and blue between black and white stripes, keeping in track with the recurring aesthetic of athleticism. Alexander Wang did the same, although the stripes were distorted and curved in modern movements.
Cherry red was a main concept for top houses such Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Comme Des Garçons’ collection was entirely this shade, focusing on the design implications instead of a variety of colors. However, it was yellow that really took the lead as far as bright colors go. Yellow is infamous for being difficult to pull off, particularly for women with blonde or red hair, but a bright zing of yellow is fresh and versatile when paired with complementary colors such as the aforementioned aquamarine. This head-turning lemon hue was everywhere from Celine to DKNY, Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg and Delpozo, proving exactly how underrated the color really is.
The most versatile of colors brought to light this season is army green which was a major influence for Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Chanel. The color looks amazing in almost any fabric, particularly a thin and light suede material, as done by Jason Wu. The color looks wonderful when paired with brown, khaki, navy, custard, light blue and even grey. If the thought of wearing anything military-inspired makes you flinch, opt for a darker forest green shade instead, which becomes perfectly suitable for spring when worn with light airy fabrics.
While talking about color trends, it is impossible to overlook the long-running trend of no color at all. Monochromatic black or white looks haven’t lost any steam in the fashion world and are the most effortless way to make a bold statement. To style this trend, follow Balmain and Givenchy’s lead and aim for pieces with interesting details such as a strong silhouette or unexpected cutouts. Take this minimalist look as an opportunity to show off your strongest accessories by adding a cuff bracelet or statement shoe to add a balanced amount of interest.
Because the color palettes of spring are so modest and understated, it’s intelligible to purchase investment pieces which will be equally as suitable for the fall season. In particular, marsala, army green, toasted almond, aquamarine and glacier grey are colors that won’t fall out of style once the temperature drops back down.
Story Allison Du Pras
