This is the second in a three-part series about the on-trend looks we are likely to see for the rest of the year and beyond. We covered footwear last week, and today I’m focussing on colours and patterns.
Colours and patterns waft in and out of fashion. Each season has its fashionable colours, but these days we see a larger assortment of colours and patterns at retail then we used to. Add the second-hand market, and the ability to sew your own clothes, and the assortment of colour and pattern is huge. You will find it all if you’re patient and lucky.
As we talk about the trends, remember that your colours and patterns are ALWAYS in style. Wear colours and patterns that work for you, and ignore the ones you find unappealing.
Here are the colour and pattern trends as I see them. You’ll see them in both solids and patterns, and in any wardrobe item.
Bright Blue, Pink, and Orange
Electric colours, like shocking pink, Dutch orange, and cobalt blue, are at the forefront of the bright palette. There’s a little citron and marigold there too. They can be worn monochromatically, tonally, in clashing combinations with other brights, with pastels and earth tones, or with neutrals. Wear them in large or small surface areas of your outfit.
Greens
Think any tone and shade of green. From rich and dark forest and leaf greens, to all sorts of earthy olive and seaweed greens. There is jade, emerald, avocado, moss, and Kelly green. And I see my beloved sour lime and apple green surfacing as a fringe trend.
Teals and Purples
Jewel tone lovers will be happy to hear that there is mid-tone and dark purple and teal on the horizon. Remember that teal is not turquoise. Turquoise is bright and saturated, while teal is medium dark or dark, and less saturated. Teals are a mix of green and blue. Some teals are more blue than green, and vice versa. By all means wear teal and purple together if you like the combination.
Reds
Red lovers are in for a treat. Especially if you like deep reds like fire engine red, burgundies, rasberry, watermelon, and cherry red. Wear them head to toe, as a smaller component of an outfit, or as an accent. Wear different shades of red together, remix red with orange, purple, and pink, combine it with pastels, throw in some earth tones, or pair it with neutrals. Sport it over the holidays, or simply wear red shoes.
Pastels
Think of any colour, add lots of white to it, and bam, you have a pastel. Light blue and light pink, mint, seafoam, lilac, peach, lemon, and sage can be awfully soft and pretty to wear in knitwear, scarves, beanies, and woolly coats. If you like pastels but feel washed out in them, wear a more saturated version of the pastel, and remix it with stronger colours. Or wear a more mid-tone version of the pastel.
Browns and Black
Earth tones are supposed to take a backseat, but I’m not sure that will happen. I see lots of mid and dark browns in new collections, so make the most of it if you like to wear brown. And a heavily ‘90s inspired fashion season would not be the same without lots of black. Wear browns and blacks together.
Silver
Team Silver will be thrilled to hear that silver hardware, trims, buttons, jewellery, footwear, and belts are on the rise. Of course, gold, rose gold and mixed metals are there too. But as a nod to late ‘90s trends, silver will be more available.
Patterns
Every Autumn and Winter we see busloads of plaids, checks, tartans, houndstooth, tweeds, leopards, cheetah and snake print, and that hasn’t changed. After many seasons of being at the forefront of fashion, ditsy florals take a bit of a backseat. Large scale florals look “new”, and the spaced ones allow the eye to rest. There are red rose prints too.
On a less classic note, ombré, landscape, marbled designs, swirls, abstract geometrics, equestrian designs, paisley, chevron stripes, watercolour patterns, botanicals, splash patterns, and novelty prints are gaining momentum. Slogans on tops that make a statement and pull at your heartstrings have become mainstream, and are very meaningful.
Personally, there is plenty of colour and pattern that will seamlessly fit into my wardrobe. Bring on more shocking pink, Dutch orange, citron, all the reds, and lime green. I like light blue, blush, and a saturated pastel pink too. I’ll remix it all with navy, white, cream, and a smattering of earth tones. My heart is with classic patterns, although I enjoy some florals, a different type of animal print, equestrian designs, novelty prints, and slogans that pull at my heartstrings.
Over to you. Which colours and patterns are tickling your fancy for Fall and Winter?
