We are in our fifth year of earth tones being mainstream in retail. Spice colours, tans, browns, olives, very dark greens, mustards, brick reds, brownish burgundies, and burnt oranges reign supreme. Some earth tones are warm, and others are cooler. I guessed that earth tones would take a backseat this year, but far from it. They have been abundant across Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter collections. They must be selling well.
Feelings on earth tones run the gamut with my clients, friends, and family members. Some would prefer to wear nothing but earth tones, because the palette is signature to their styles. They are thrilled with these colour trends. Others like to add very specific earth tones, but say no thank you to the rest. Some will wear earth tones in patterns only. Some will wear olive utility pants and jackets, and that’s it. Some will wear light but not dark earth tones. Some wear leopard and cheetah footwear and leave it at that. Some wear solid brown shoes and bags, but not earthy patterns. Some only wear rich browns with black. And some won’t wear earth tones at all.
I enjoy dabbling a bit with earth tones, but they are not my preferred palette. As earth tones have their fashion moment, I’m thankful there are all sorts of crisp blues and whites to fall back on when I refresh for the season. That might be why I have more blue and white in my wardrobe than ever at the moment. My acidic citrons and limes are in very short supply because most yellows are mustard at the moment, which is not my yellow. I’ve also said no thank you to olive, for now.
I’m back to loving a rich burgundy and peachy cognac this year. I bought items in those colours at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I’m excited to wear them. I will not wear them with black or other earth tones. Instead, I will remix burgundy and cognac with my happy colours like white, navy, light blue, denim blue, turquoise, tomato red, shocking pink, Dutch orange, chartreuse, and citron.
The collection below shows my burgundy and cognac solids that I can wear with items in my usual sour brights palette, with lots of navy and white for Autumn and Winter. All of these items are in my wardrobe. Some are new, and some old.
Over to you. Are you an earth tone wearer? If so, you must be loving their abundance over the last five years. I hope you stocked up! Or do you dabble a bit in earth tones like I do? Maybe you don’t wear earth tones at all. Are you ready for a change?
