The Color of the Year

How to Enjoy a New Color in Your Wardrobe

Did you know we have a color of the year for 2018? We do! It’s been announced by the Pantone Color Institute that Ultra Violet (that’s 18-3838 if you have a Pantone color wheel lying around your house) is the color that will influence fashion, branding, interior design and more.

The team that determined the color of the year gives us insight into their choice. They say, “A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

If this shade of purple conjures up images of rock stars wearing the color on stage, you’re right! Pantone says, “Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of Western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of Pantone 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.”

Fascinating, isn’t it?

If this color is new to you but you’re intrigued enough to introduce it into your wardrobe this year, I have some tips for how to do it.

Start by using Ultra Violet as your point of inspiration. Being aware of the color of the year will heighten your awareness of other shades in the purple family. You may prefer wearing shades of purple that are lighter or darker than 18-3838. That’s fair! Imagine going to the paint store and looking up this color on the wall of paint chips. Pull the strip of colors out and look at the colors that are lighter or darker, brighter or duller than this one. With the current spotlight on this color, you’ll start noticing the wider family of purple shades. It’s stimulating and fun to add a new color to your wardrobe.

Consider wearing a black or navy pant but dressing in shades of violet or purple from the waist up. Wear your blouse, sweater, jacket, necklace, or earrings in various shades. The subtle variety in a mix like this is visually appealing and sophisticated.

Another way to play with a new color is to make it your pop of color in an otherwise neutral-colored outfit. Perhaps you favor shades of gray, white, and black. By adding a handbag or a scarf in your version of ultra violet, you make a great fashion statement.

If you find a shoe in a shade of violet or purple, be sure you work that color back up near your face so people will be looking at your face and not just your feet. How would you do that? You could wear a small square print scarf tied around your neck. If one of the colors in the scarf is close to the color of the shoes, you’ll be just fine!

In fact, maybe you prefer wearing prints. Scarves, shawls, print blouses or print jackets that have this color in the design are all very fun ways to introduce color into your wardrobe without making a big investment.

You may already have clothes in this color in your closet. This is the season to pull them out and wear them!

If Ultra Violet is a color you’ve been hungry to wear forever, then this is your bonanza year. There will be more items showing up this year than next in this color. So purchase a few pieces! If it’s a color that is flattering on you, there’s no reason to hold back. Make this your year of investing in a color and will serve you for years to come.

With this discussion on color, are you thinking about working a new color into your wardrobe this year? I’d be happy to guide you in making some choices that will serve you well. Just give me a call and we’ll make a plan!  Personally purple is one of my favorite colors!  I hope you enjoy integrating purple into your wardrobe.

Photo courtesy of: DesignBoom.com