During the spring 2012 fashion shows last September and October, different trends were seen. Yet it was still too early to figure out which trends would be dominant. As retailers begin to release pre-season merchandise it becomes evident which runway colors are the trend for spring 2012. Thanks to the company who knows color so well, Pantone, the dominate fashion color trends are now known. Check out the spring 2012 fashion color trends and a few tips on how to wear them successfully.
The Colors of Spring from the Pantone Fashion Color Report
There are nine dominate colors for spring. They are a mixture of brights, pastels and muted tones that feel like the season they represent.
Brights: Solar Power (sunny yellow), Bellflower (bright violet/dark lavender), Cabaret (bright fuchsia/hot pink), Tangerine Tango (bright reddish-orange) and Sodalite Blue (dark cobalt/bright navy) Pastels: Sweet Lilac (baby pink, pale lavender), Margarita (mint/light grass) and Cockatoo (aqua, light turquoise) Muted Tones: Driftwood (muted Pewter/light charcoal) and Starfish (muted bronze taupe)
How to Wear Spring’s Brights
The brights of spring 2012 are bold and will add a pop of color to your wardrobe. You can pair these brights with neutral black or white for an easy look. However, go for the gusto and mix these brights together. The prints for spring feature these colors from pretty feminine florals to graphic athletic and tribal-influenced styles. Go for a colorblock spring sweater or tunic like the Payton Dolman Sleeve Colorblock Sweater in Pop Orange, $98.00 at Nordstrom. This sweater mixes bright orange with hot pink for a sherbet feel. Pair this sweater with white jeans and matching heels like Jessica Simpson ‘Evannan’ Platform in Bermuda Pink, $97.95 also at Nordstrom.
Mix Pastels with Brights to Intensify Their Color
Pastels are a spring staple. Seeing a mint green or baby pink frock is nothing new during this season. You can make your pastels pop with the color intensity their bright counterparts do when you pair a pastel and bright together. Lilly Pulitzer, the queen of prints (in my opinion), is great at mixing colors like brights and pastels together to create a vibrant look. This is evident in her Cropped Cardigan ($98.00) and Strapless Embroidered Dress ($268.00) sold at Neiman Marcus. The dress is turquoise with dark coral embroidery along the top edge and left side sweeping into the hem. When you add the pink tomato cardigan to it, the dress appears brighter and more vibrant in color. This is a great effect to use to make older pastels look new again.
Spring’s Muted Colors Bring a Fashionable Change
Typically muted tones are relegated to office wear. Muted taupe trousers or light grey skirt suits are the norm for these tones. This spring muted tones are finding their way in of all places, swimwear as seen in the Fly Away Swimdress in Charcoal, $89.99 at Roaman’s. These soft muted tones are also making their way into spring denim in shades like pearl grey like the 5-Pocket Stretch Skinny Jeans in Pearl Grey from $34.99 to $39.99 at Woman Within. The great thing about these muted tones is they can be paired flawlessly with spring’s brights and pastels. Think of soft taupe paired with baby pink or canary yellow with muted pewter.
Whether you choose to pair spring’s hot colors together, purchase a colorblock garment or wear a vibrant print does not matter. These colors work well with each other and compliment many skin tones. If you are not one for wearing brights or pastels why not be daring and try out one of these hot colors for spring. It can be as simple as a scarf or colorful skirt. As always, whatever you choose inject your own unique style to make sure the look is totally you.
Related Content
Spring 2012 Trends from the New York, London, Milan and Paris Runways
Spring’s Lady-like Fashions Are Oh-so-trendy
Earthy Tones Are Trendy for Spring/Summer 2011 and Beyond