How to Be Sensible and Spirited

I present to you without further fanfare, the approved colors for women's fashion this fall  (remember, I don't make this stuff up, I've just edited for brevity) ~

Fall 2011−The Art of Color− Sensible and Spirited
 
"Taking cues from the great masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside, designers are paying close attention to texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing (my italics) balance between colors.

'Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,' said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. 'Much like a painter's masterpiece, there is a certain romance  (again, my italics) to this season's palette.'

Bamboo, a surprising fall hue, brings a warm, exotic flavor to the season. Like a filtered sunset on the waning days of fall, Bamboo is a standout yellow with a subtle green undertone.

Radiant Emberglow, a traditional autumnal tone, emanates the warmth of a glowing fire – the perfect panacea to the crisp air of fall.

Offering a sense of continuity from spring, dynamic Honeysuckle adds a bold punctuation point. This playful, reddish pink works with any other color in the palette.

Phlox, a magical, deep purple with a hint of mystery, is an outstanding statement when worn on its own.

Evoking the freshness of a cool mist in a dark forest, Cedar is a versatile, mid-tone neutral green.

Deep Teal, a strong, blue-toned green, suggests ocean depths and the color of the sky as daylight descends into darkness.

Rich, decadent Coffee Liqueúr brings a sense of elegance to fall, and is a savory alternative to basic black. A deliciously warm camel tan, Nougat is tastefully embellished by Phlox, Emberglow or Honeysuckle. Orchid Hush, a unique tone of gray with complex orchid undertones, blends well with any other color in the palette. Quarry, a reliable medium gray, remains, as always, a practical, dependable staple."

(Blogmeister's note: For over 17 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. Information and color samples can be found at www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20835&ca=4 )