Are You Wearing Fall 2011's Top 10 Colors?
Each season, the Pantone Color Institute unveils the fashion industry's primary color palette after a survey of the designers of New York Fashon Week. The top 10 colors selected for women this fall 2011 appeal to a vibrant, romantic ideal. Designers artfully combine the brighter colors with the subtle neutrals, setting the tone for a feminine fall reminiscent of glamorous Old Hollywood, enchanting Chinese operas, lively cityscapes and peaceful countrysides.Fall 2011's color palette consists of: Bamboo, Emberglow, Honeysuckle (the 'it' color of 2011), Phlox, Cedar, Deep Teal, Coffee Liqueúr, Nougat, Orchid Hush and Quarry. Of course, all designers have their own trendy names for each of these colors -- for example, Chris Benz refers to his Bamboo yellow as "Sponge" -- and there are varying shades of these chosen core colors, but the use of this palette on the runways and in designer ready-to-wear collections in stores is unmistakable. Pantone is the color authority in fashion. Take a peek at how these top 10 colors have manifested across products and fashion labels this season, and see how you can best combine the colors for a chic fall 2011 look. These are the top 10 colors and these are some of our favorite combos.
Bamboo + Phlox
Warm and exotic, Bamboo's mustard-yellow color with greenish undertones reminds us of the fading days of summer on the sand. The sun-golden hue intermingled with the saturated pigments of a floral Phlox make for a stand-out aesthetic this fall. Try also pairing Bamboo with Deep Teal or Honeysuckle.
Alex Marie Lark Surplice Dress, $77.40 (Retail $129)
Urban Outfitters Staring at Stars Marled Placket Cardigan, $39 (Retail $49)
Tolani Zig Zag Scarf, $85
Betsey Johnson Sashaaa Flats, $69.95
Big Buddha Prince Handbag, $67.96 (Retail $79.95)
Christian Dior Dior Vernis 'Fall 2011' Nail Lacquer in Purple Revolution, $22
Merona Felt Cloche Hat with Flower Detail, $16.99
CACHAREL Printed Belted Dress, $707 (Retail $1,415)
Emberglow + Honeysuckle
This retro pairing of a familiar fall tone, Emberglow, and the 'it' color of 2011, Honeysuckle, makes for a positively playful look that's perfect for daytime meet-ups and holiday gatherings. Emberglow's shade is more akin to a persimmon than to an orange itself, but it is undeniably considered "orange." For a more classic autumn look, try pairing Emberglow with Coffee Liqueúr.
Eight Sixty Color-Blocked Dress, $68.60 (Retail $98)
Nike Heritage Bag, $14.99
Nine West Stylin Sandals, $80.10 (Retail $89)
Oscar de la Renta Pink Label "Bright Blossoms" Wrap, $38.85 (Retail $74)
Reebok Classic Nylon, $39.99 (Retail $50)
Allison Daniel Party Ring, $55
Converse Set List Sunglasses, $59
Lands' End Canvas Superlight V-neck Tee in Persimmon, $9.99 (Retail $19.50)
Kate Spade Gumdrop Stud Earrings, $38
Sequin Cleopatra Rope Necklace, $30 (Retail $60)
Phlox + Deep Teal
Phlox is rich purple color most often associated with magic and mystique. It's no wonder that it pairs so well with Deep Teal, a color that is echoes the mysterious depths of the ocean or the darkest and most puzzling shade of the sky that you can spy just before dawn. Phlox makes a statement on its own, but when paired with the season's neutrals or blues and greens, it creates a dramatic feel that is anchored in nature.
Emilio Pucci Printed Silk Scarf, $135.80 (Retail $388)
Michael Kors Quilted Leather Clutch, $108
Talbots Ruffle Front Halter One Piece, $20 (Retail $82)
Kate Spade New York Teal Drop Leverback Earrings, $58
Torrid Quincy Teal Satin Wide Width Heel, $39.50
Old Navy Cable-Trim Sweater Tunic, $39.50 (Retail $44.94)
The Limited Gathered-Waist Shirt Dress, $89.90
Cedar + Bamboo
Cool and versatile Cedar pairs exceptionally well with warm Bamboo. You already know this pairing works because it's rooted in nature. Think: sunlight filtering through a forest of trees on a misty morning. Cedar and Deep Teal make for another natural pairing, and Cedar with Phlox or Orchid Hush looks timeless.
Julie Dillon Print Chiffon Strapless Dress, $188
Halogen Peplum Sweater Jacket, $98
Echo Oversized Square Scarf, $37.90 (Retail $58)
Tryst Stevie Earrings, $26.40 (Retail $44)
Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Sheath Dress, $104.90 (Retail $158)
The Limited Cutaway Neckline Shirt, $24.99 (Retail $39.90)
The Limited Suede Waist Belt, $44.90
J. Crew Ruthie Shirtdress, $118
Honeysuckle + Coffee Liqueúr
This reddish-pink color's popularity extends from spring, through summer and right into fall. Being "the" color of the year, it pairs well with any of the other colors in the palette. But, it pairs especially elegantly with neutral staples like savory Coffee Liqueúr or un-beige Nougat. If you want some intensity in your look, think about mixing in a few touches of Bamboo.
Aldo Straight Earrings, $8
Lulu 'Cabbage Rose' Infinity Scarf, $18
Voyager Floral-Print Kimono Robe, $145 (Retail $198)
Just Cavalli Top, $39 (Retail $155)
Original Hunter Wellington Rain Boot, $125
Halston Satin Blazer, $126 (Retail $360)
Bobbi Brown Powerful Face Palette, $60
Antik Batik Long Sleeve Shirt, $45 (Retail $115)
Ettika Protection Coin Leather Bracelet, $63
Nougat + Emberglow
More decadent than beige and warmer than tan, camel-colored Nougat works beautifully with other warm colors like Emberglow and Honeysuckle. Nougat pairs tastefully with more saturated colors like Phlox, too. We love the fiery pairing of an unconventional "orange" with the neutral.
Torn By Ronny Kobo Striped Jersey 'Denise' Tank, $58.99 (Retail $60)
Urban Outfitters Ecote Hamptons Skimmer, $29
Longchamp Le Pliage Small Tote Bag, $125
Marc Jacobs Ruffle-Trimmed Sheer Printed Top, $210 (Retail $525)
Cooperative Suede Oxford Wedge, $59
Michael Antonio Gezana, $55.25 (Retail $65)
Sandy Hyun Stone Ring, $60
American Apparel Leaf Flower Lace Sleeveless Dress, $52
Orchid Hush + Quarry
Not quite lavender and not quite gray or light blue, Orchid Hush is a unique shade with complex undertones that reminds us of morning mists and mirrored reflections. Quarry is another lighter, softer medium gray color of the top 10 for fall 2011, and also shares misty, foggy qualities that makes it a perfect pairing for Orchid Hush. Both of these colors will pair well with any other color in the palette.
Jonathan Saunders Roselle Block-Color Dress, $168.75 (Retail $375)
JUCCA Long Sleeve Sweater, $35 (Retail $95)
Monica Vinader Medina Gold-Plated Ring, $100 (Retail $200)
Kate spade Chandelier Earrings, $98
Old Friend Scuff Slippers, $55
J. Crew Evie Silk Chiffon Dress, $119 (Retail $198)
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush Silk in Spirit Seas, $9.99
Athleta Ramble Scarf, $39
Which of these color combinations could you see yourself wearing over and over this fall season? If not any of these, what combinations from the top 10 colors would you create for yourself? We'd love to hear it! Inspire us!
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Comments page 1 of 2
Lowest Ranked
Chris said 8-13-2011 @10:38AM
Fur should never be a fashion statement. I detest this pi..pot for reporting this story.
replyNeutral
Carolyn said 9-09-2011 @4:04PM
Ever heard of "faux" fur?
Highest Rank
Char said 8-13-2011 @1:48PM
$135.80 for a scarf? Does anyone really buy this stuff?
replyHighest Rank
V. Linek said 8-13-2011 @1:49PM
Ok, it must be my age..however weren't these new fashion colors colors named; musturd, tangerine, pink, purple, moss green, teal(yes), brown, beige, ?, blue, not that many years ago?
replyHighest Rank
kevin said 8-13-2011 @2:44PM
If you are around long enough all this stuff recycles. There are only so many colors in the spectrum to keep using. There are only so many ways to dress a body, two arms and two legs and maybe a head.
Whats old is new again. Ho hum.
Highest Rank
Kimby said 8-28-2011 @11:22AM
Beige? No, I think it was ecru...maybe camel...no, sand or was it honey or taupe or oatmeal or cream or half-and-half or putty or mushroom or kitty litter. I can't remember. Maybe it was just beige.
Neutral
stilldezzinndn said 8-13-2011 @3:51PM
Fur is so neanderthal! It belongs on its original owners. Period. I won't buy or wear anything from any design house that still uses this archaic, cruel and just plain awful statement of callousness and ignorance. As for the prices on most of this stuff, surely these idiots are aware that there is a global depression? Or are their heads so far up their own rose-scented ahses that they don't know or care?
replyHighest Rank
rose said 8-14-2011 @12:14AM
I hate to tell you, but not everyone is strapped. There are still people doing well. The article shows a variety of prices.
Highest Rank
Color Blinded said 8-13-2011 @8:09PM
What a bunch of hooey! And the color names are ridiculous! "Bamboo" looks like "mustard yellow" to me, a.k.a. "babyshit"; "Emberglow" is orange by any other name (I'll also accept "tangerine" or "clementine", but this shade lacks the hot intensity of every glowing ember I've ever seen). "Honeysuckle" could equally well be pink, yellow, or white, since the flower by that name comes in all three colors; "Phlox" is fine if you happen to know what a phlox flower looks like, but "purple" is a whole lot clearer. Also, I think phlox comes in white, too. "Cedar"? The trees are deeper green, and the wood is reddish-rust. So, uh-uh. "Deep Teal" - that one, I'll grant them. "Coffee Liquer"? Not any Kahlua I've ever seen, unless it has cream in it. "Nougat" - maybe, but pretty unappetizing as a color name. Sounds too much like "noogies". "Orchid Hush"? Oh, puh-leeze! Spare me! What color, pray tell, is an "orchid hush"? Who came up with that not-so-marvelously evocative nomenclature? Oh, wait: The article goes on to say that it's "a unique shade with complex undertones that reminds us of morning mists and mirrored reflections." Oh yeah? Then why not call it "morning mist" (which are gray, in my experience) or "mirrored reflection" (which are either silver or the colors of whatever they're reflecting, duh)? I can't decide which is sillier, Orchid Hush or - saving the best for last - "Quarry". What, is it better because it's mined, not grown? (SNL skit from the original SNL, youngsters.) Since when is there a color named Quarry? Since 2011, apparently. Even this article doesn't attempt to explain (or justify) it. Well, you won't find any such pretentious nomenclature in my 72-count box of Crayolas with the built-in sharpener! And I've known for a long time that "Flesh" doesn't actually match anyone's skin tone. A lot of these colors are equally unflattering. Pity the slaves of fashion, for they shall spend lots of money trying to keep up with some pretty arbitrary, absurd, and ultimately doomed dictates. Remember, if they love it this year, they'll hate it next year - and by the time it's old enough to come back around as vintage or retro, it won't fit anyway!
replyHighest Rank
Alison said 8-13-2011 @10:12PM
Bravo for saying exactly what ALL fashion non-slaves should be thinking.
I totally agree!
Highest Rank
Nikki said 8-28-2011 @9:56AM
Amen, I could kiss you right now!
Highest Rank
sunny said 8-28-2011 @10:40AM
You are a genius. Thank you thank you thank you.
Highest Rank
Gnc said 8-28-2011 @1:23PM
lol I LOVE you! How true, how true. So, I have to ask myself how I ended up on this page.
Hmmm, perhaps I was hoping for something nice to buy, but then was as annoyed as you at what I found.
Take care
Gnc
Lowest Ranked
Magdy said 8-28-2011 @2:26PM
what you accept or not have nothing to do with names or colors Who are you are you a fashion Designer? noooot,you dont have to acept nothing just get out here this page and stop reading...u free to go now...GO! and go get your glasses for real you need to stop been color blinded.
Neutral
Cath Clark said 8-13-2011 @11:20PM
When did honeysuckle ever become "pink"?
replyNeutral
rose said 8-14-2011 @12:13AM
Since January 2011. It's the hot color for the year.
Neutral
Naj said 8-28-2011 @12:38PM
I was thinking the same thing! Wondering if my color knowledge was off. Thank you!
Neutral
Magdy said 8-28-2011 @2:33PM
helloooo is just names they use hellooo anybody home?(knocking at the brains cells door)
Neutral
Diana Kosmatka said 8-14-2011 @2:04AM
I so lo9ved the colors for this fall some retrograde with a modern flair of sensual colors warm and sensual soft and pretty
replyI l9ove the shades of greens purples and orange oh wow the colors are popping
Neutral
lil woo said 8-14-2011 @8:18AM
the colours are great. i love spec. phlox/deep purple and the styles that go with it. also cedar/bamboo and honeysuckle/coffee liqueur. contrary to prev. comments the names for this colours are unique. i owe a uniform store and the new styles for scubs spec koi tops are in these colour and people love it. when you in the hospital sick and see the nurse come in w/these vibrant colour scrubs it lifts your spirit.colours are powerful and make you feel good.
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