Hello, honeysuckle

A look at spring's hottest colors

by Alicia Isenberg

They are calling this spring's color palette “an exotic journey”—a chance to escape from the cold winter and an even colder economic climate. Inspired by the sights and sounds of such faraway lands as Africa, India, Peru, and Turkey, Pantone's 2011 Fashion Color Report is chock-full of vibrant hues, allowing consumers to take a much-needed break from their everyday lives and venture to foreign lands by way of their springtime wardrobes.

SENSATIONAL SHADES

Leading the pack is Honeysuckle, Pantone's 2011 color of the year. This rosy hue is accompanied by other warm shades, including Coral Rose, a vivid orange, and Beeswax, a honeyed yellow. On the other end of spectrum is Regatta, a rich, tranquil blue, and Blue Caracao, a nod to last year's color of the year, turquoise. Other cool tones include Peapod, lighter yellow-green, and Lavender, a pale purple with a hint of red undertone. Rounding out the palette are this spring's neutrals—Russet, a trans-seasonal brown, Silver Peony, a blush pink, and Silver Cloud, a lighter gray—which supply the perfect backdrop for both warm and cool tones.

“We thought [the vibrant colors] would be a great pick-me-up,” says Leatrice Eiseman, color specialist and executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “People are so ready to be out of the doldrums of winter and into these bright, happy spring colors that bring some sunshine along with them.”

COLOR ME HAPPY

The spring color palette is in direct response to consumers' moods and current spending habits, explains Eiseman. Similar to last year, the economy is in a state of flux. “Consumers are having to be practical because the specter of the economy is still looming large,” she says. With a feeling of uncertainty surrounding their finances, shoppers are being as conservative as ever with their cash—especially when it comes to luxuries like fashion. As a result, shoppers are opting for smaller purchases to freshen up and accent their existing wardrobes instead of buying entire outfits. “In fashion, they're looking to accessories that they can have some fun with, as far as color is concerned,” notes Eiseman.

With the rainbow of exotic colors featured in the color palette, fun carries the day. In the spring collection, there isn't just one color that supersedes the others; it's more about the combination of colors. This year's palette offers many opportunities to mix and match the basic, neutral colors with vivacious hues to add some pop or pair bold with bold, explains Eiseman.

To the untrained eye, the spring collection may appear to be comprised of clashing hues. In reality, the palette is made up of a series of complementary colors, or colors that sit across from each other on the color wheel. “For someone who doesn't understand color, if you say opposites on the color wheel they immediately think of Christmas-tree green and bright red,” explains Eiseman. “But there are so many nuances of those colors that truly do complement each other. And you can take that all the way to the lightest, softest pastels. They are still complementary, just a different value.”

EXOTIC EYEWEAR

Consumers' need for multicolored accessories doesn't end with shoes, bags, and purses. Today's shoppers are also looking to eyewear as a way to liven up their ensembles. “Those of us who wear [glasses] every day still think of them in terms of what else we're going to wear and how they will help accent it,” says Eiseman.

Currently in the market for new glasses herself, Eiseman says she is amazed by the variety of colors and patterns now available. “Eyeglasses are more interesting now. The selection is so different than the old, boring frames everybody used to wear,” she says, adding, “There's a lot of opportunity in the eyewear industry to take advantage of both the playfulness and the practicality of the palette.” EB