Top Ten Colors for Contemporary Apparel – Spring 2010
Just when you were getting ready for the spicy browns and reds of fall, Pantone has released its Top Ten Pantone colors for spring in its Fashion Color Report, spring 2010. As the fashion world turns its attention to Fashion Week, top New York designers have chosen their spring color palette.
Looking at the top five colors, which range from soft violets to terra-cotta corals and mustardy yellows, I am reminded of a sunset over red rock mountains in the Southwest. The vibrancy of these colors, against the rather neutral tones shown in the bottom five, shows a sense of optimism for the spring season. Of course, with the recession still looming large in the minds of top designers, it is a cautious optimism.
Consumers this spring are expected to be somewhat more selective about their purchases, but they still want something that is fresh and relevant. Whether it is just a few key wardrobe pieces, or a range of new accessories, these exciting new colors are sure to enhance any wardrobe.
If you buy wholesale clothes, women’s contemporary apparel, or trendy junior fashions, the Pantone “Top Ten” will certainly play into your decision making.
As a purple-lover myself, I was very pleased to see a soft violet topping the list. Specifically, it is Violet Pantone 16-3320. A huge color for several seasons, this warmer version of what is generally considered a cool color is what finally moved violet to number one. Close to 14% of all designers surveyed used this color in their spring collections.
A perfect complement to purple on the color wheel is yellow, which hit #2 this year with Aurora Pantone #12-0642. Several designers of contemporary apparel have already shown this on Fashion Week runways, primarily in evening gowns and accessories. Follow that with the happy color of turquoise (#15-5519) at number three, a color normally associated with tropical escapes to an exotic ocean resort. Fusion Coral (#16-1543) is a much mellower version of the bolder oranges we’ve seen in recent years, and comes in at number four. Designers have selected this shade because it is more flattering to a variety of skin tones. And rounding out the top five is a lipstick-red Tomato Puree (#18-1661), reminiscent of Badgley Mischka cocktail dresses and a true indicator that this spring will be a color-saturated season.
The remaining five include a serene Tuscany blue, a warmer Amparo Blue, delicate Pink Champagne, and freshly grown neutrals like Dried Herb and Eucalyptus.
Whether you are a junior apparel buyer or a just a fan of designer contemporary apparel, look for these top ten colors in a variety of shapes and styles this spring at Fashion Spot LA. It should be a very exciting return to color.
SOURCE: Pantone Fashion Color Report, Spring 2010 (Women’s COLORS); PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC; © Pantone LLC 2009