Color Trends

Spring 2011 fashion trends: Candy Colored Shoes

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged candy colors / spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

The resort collections are always a snapshot of what designers will be showing for spring. The current resort collections are filled with candy colors of bubble gum pink, bright purple, sunshine yellow, apple green, burnt orange and cherry red. At the conclusion of the New York, Paris and Milan runways, the color scheme was much broader than that of resort with the addition of black rocker chic, dreamy pastels, ocean blues, crisp whites and shades of beige. In addition to the color palettes on the clothing, designers opted for candy colored shoes in suede, satin and leather.

Nina Ricci showed cherry pie red and sunshine yellow sandals with floral embellishments. Christian Dior showed single colored and two tone, bright high heeled sandals with wrap up straps paired with nautical color palettes, crisp white, pastels and candy colored frocks. Gucci showed jewel tone, thin strap sandals with metallic gold ankle straps. Versace included bright turquoise sandals amid neutrals in her spring runway collection.

As resort rolls onto store shelves, designers such as Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent are showing brightly colored sandals and wedges. Many designers are mixing two or three, unexpected candy colors together such as yellow with pink or pink with orange.

Candy colored shoes is a great trend to follow if you enjoy adding a bit of pop to an outfit. A candy colored shoe can instantly update an outfit from last year or add a bit of sass to a neutral outfit or crisp white dress. Just in case the candy colored trend is one that is fleeting, investing in one pair of shoes is more cost effective than purchasing multiple items of clothing in candy colors that may not be in fashion come 2012. Hopefully candy colors have staying power past this spring. After several years of neutrals and minimalism, bright, happy colors are a breath of fresh of air. Happy shopping and stay fabulous. 

The Colors of Spring 2011

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged spring 2011 / summer 2011 by

The color palettes from the spring 2011 runways were varied and offered many choices for Fashionistas who may be picky about the colors they wear. Designers in New York, Pairs, Milan, London and now China have shown, or are showing, collections in crisp white, warm beige neutrals, bold mixed colors, whimsical soft pastels and rocker chic black. With trends for spring ranging from ladylike (feminine) to hippie chic to rocker chic to vintage, it is no wonder that the color palettes are varied and provide such a large range.

Although is has been argued that white is not actually a color, for literary purposes, we are going to consider it a color here at Bay Area Fashionista. 

Dolce & Gabbana created an almost all-white color palette for spring with feminine and carefree, yet structured frocks that signaled a turn towards a more carefree form of dressing for 2011. Other designer such as Badgley Mischka showed whimsical, soft colors that mimicked a dream or took onlookers back to a calm, floral meadow lined with willow trees. Bright and bold colors were mixed together at runway shows such as Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs who placed bold color choices together in color blocking or by mixing solid colored pieces and adding colored accessories which introduced an additional color. Although, since Marc Jacobs heads up Louis Vuitton, this could be why there was a similar color story in the runways shows.

Since many resort collections such as Dior, featured candy colors and neutrals, this is a great time to find brighter colors that interest you before the spring collections hit store shelves. While shopping for colors, look for bright solids that can be mixed together unexpectedly such as purple with green or burnt orange. Neutrals, black and white play an important part for spring, so these are always good colors to find inside your closet before pulling out the charge card  Happy shopping and stay fabulous.

Fall Fashion Trends: Jewel Tone Colors

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2010 / jewel tones / winter 2011 by

There are so many different trends for Fall this year. Fashionistas are looking forward to the vintage trend with styles from the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. There is also the return of minimalism giving Fashionistas the simple, solid color look, sans jewelry, from the 1990’s. Other prominent trends we are seeing for Fall include lace, pops of red, full skirts, lady handbags, animal prints, chunky knit sweaters and light eye make-up with dark lipstick. There is also another trend popping up for Fall that is being seen on dressier clothing for the office, dinner dates and formal events; jewel tone colors.

Jewel tone colors last made their appearance in the mid-1990’s just before minimalism took over the closet’s of Fashionistas everywhere. In their last run, jewel tones were bright pops of tourmaline pink, emerald green and topaz blue. Tops and dresses matched semi-precious gemstones and candy store finds. For Fall 2010 the jewel tones are more sedate and in line with the darker color palette Fashionistas have traditionally seen for Fall. The blues are deep and the reds have blue undertones. Greens are deep and turquoise is quiet. Purples are bright, yet not blinding. Instead of being shown with black, as jewel tones were in the nineties, Fall 2010 is giving Fashionistas jewel tones alone.

Emilio Pucci sent a model down the runway in red pants with a red silk blouse, red suede jacket, red scarf and fabulous red leather belt with grommets. Donna Karen showed a purple skirt with matching jacket and purple silk blouse. Akris showed a fabulous mustard suit on the runway and Vera Wang created jewel tone dresses fit for a wedding or formal gala.

The jewel tone trend is a great way to perk up a rather dreary Fall wardrobe that has embraced minimalism. Jewel tones will also be fabulous for evening events and formal affairs. If you are not into the vintage trend, jewel tones mixed together with minimalism will make a great Fall wardrobe that is versatile and easy to mix and match. This is also a trend where you can shop your closet to see what is inside! Jewel tones have been in recent Fall collections the past few years, just not all together like they are this year.You may find pops of red, mustard, purple and green from the past five years stored in the back of your closet. It should be easy to create a new look for Fall starting with a purple top from 2008 or a green skirt from 2007. Happy shopping and stay fabulous.

Halstonf10jeweltone

Halston Fall 2010 Jewel Tone look
Photo Credit: Marcio Madeira