What colour will you be wearing this season?

Colour trends for the upcoming season

August 2009

Even though there are blossoms on the trees, we are still caught in the grips of winter. As I update this page the heavens have opened and we've even had some hail, an unusual thing here in Cape Town. Even though we aren't quite ready to pack away our winter woolies, it's definitely time to start think about making all those fabulous accessories we'll need for our summer wardrobe

SPRING/SUMMER 2009-2010 Palette

From the Pantone Color Institute:

Spring traditionally evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings, with sprouting shoots and blossoming flowers that inspireus to breakout of the winter doldrums. Bright colors return to the top 10 list for spring-summer 2009/2010. Vibrant splashes of colour are offset or tempered with deeper, translucent or neutral tones.

Palace Blue takes a steadfast, classic, spring navy-like tone and makes it sparkle. Paired with just about any colour in the report, it offers many intriguing spring combinations. Taking purple in a lighter direction, Lavender presents a softer, more summery hue, extending the mystical aspects of purple available last autumn. As yellow continues to make its mark on the world of fashion, tangy Super Lemon brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the palette. Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer’s eyes. Taking a cue from its lemony neighbor, friendly and approachable Salmon Rose also conveys an optimistic outlook. The subtlest of oranges, Salmon Rose is flattering to most complexions and is beautiful with a summer glow. Think sensual and seductive Fuchsia Red for clothing, as well as lipstick and nail polish selections, this spring. With its blue undertones, this cool red is a real show-stopper, adding a sense of elegance to the palette.

Stabilizing neutrals provide practicality in a changing economic landscape. Not your average beige, Rose Dust breaks away from the typical neutrals associated with spring by adding dimension with subtle rose undertones. And with its bluish-green undertones, cool Slate Gray is a nuanced neutral that can be paired with any of the other nine colors in the report.

Three greens, each with their own distinct personality, round out the color palette for spring ‘09, perpetuating the idea of freshness and renewal. Vibrant Green, the quintessential spring hue, brings a true verdancy to the palette in a time of revitalization. Dark Citron, a citrus-inspired green, is calmer and more serious than most, offering an element of sophistication to the mix. Reflective Lucite Green, a clean, clear subtle hue, adds a slight shimmer.

MORE COLOUR COMBINATIONS FOR SPRING-SUMMER 2009/2010