The Hot Color Trends for Spring

"Colors make us feel a wide spectrum of emotions and convey to us all sorts of messages. Everyone has the desire to communicate when we are moved by a color and want to convey that color and its image to others, or when we want to express thoughts that come to us and emotional nuances," states the book Colorscape, an all around-the-world guide to color.

A couple weeks ago, I informed you on what trends are going to be in for Spring, but wouldn't you like to know what colors are going to be all the rage? After all, color sets a mood and is a huge indicator of what theme a designer is trying to convey. Pantone, a global authority on color, surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and passed on their trend analysis of this season's most prominent hues.

Executive Director of Pantone, Leatrice Eiseman, notes that this year designers took a modern twist on traditional spring colors by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a color equilibrium. "Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom."

The palette above shows pastels and neutrals in the first row and these are common colors we see in nature's background, such as the blue or grey sky, a sandy beach and blossoming flowers.The second row of colors are vibrant hues that will create a balanced look when paired with the pastels. However, all of these colors stand very well on their own in addition to being mixed. Find out more on Eiseman's take on each color and my perspective on how to wear them in a stylish way that could also enhance your mood:

Kendra wears violet tulip colored Ashton
Blouse paired with a paloma blazer
from The Limited

• Placid Blue - When we see placid blue we think of the sky and this color brings tranquillity and calmness. Therefore, it's a background color and could be considered a neutral. It pairs well with any other color on the spectrum. For a day when you're feeling anxious or stressed, wear this color to bring you some peace.
• Violet Tulip - This is a vintage color with a wistful feel that can also evoke romance. It can be combined with other colors or stand alone. This color makes for a beautiful blouse, as you can see Kendra modeling on the right. She is wearing an Ashton Blouse from The Limited and they come in many other colors at http://www.thelimited.com/womens-clothing/blouse-shirts. 
• Hemlock Green - This minty green color makes a beautiful background color and can be used as a neutral. Eiseman describes it as evoking a sense of foliage and that it is an ornamental green and works well as an accent to other colors. Therefore, it would look great in accessory items or choose a cardigan in this color. I have a cardigan in this color from last Spring and it can be worn over practically any of my other spring and summer outfits. 
• Paloma - Interesting name, huh? Paloma is another word for dove and is a soft, neutral color that would make a great base for any outfit. Wear this color to feel comfortable yet confident. It makes a great suiting color as you can see in the photo above.
• Sand - This color is exactly what it sounds like with Eiseman using the words, "toasty, beach and carefree" to illustrate it. This is a great color to combine with a mix of colors to create balance. Pair a sand colored belt and/or shoes with a floral or print dress. 
• Freesia - This color is floral inspired and the spot of sunshine within the palette. This color is great by itself but can also be used to enhance a neutral or pastel based outfit. 
• Cayenne - This color evokes a "high pitched, spicy energy" and is great to "bounce off neutrals and light tones," says Eiseman. Make a fiery statement with a pair of cayenne pants or to really go bold, wear a spring jacket in this color. 
• Celosia Orange - This color is lovely, spontaneous and optimistic. Its fun, yet adds a bit of sophistication. Eiseman suggests pairing this color with violet tulip for a captivating look, like that of the setting summer sun. If you don't want to go too bold, get a piece of jewelry in this color, it will brighten any outfit. 
• Radiant Orchid - This purple is a bold counterpart to its violet tulip and according to Eiseman stands great alone because there is a certain sense of drama attached to it. This would be a beautiful color for a dress, skirt or skinny jeans. You can have fun with this color without being afraid to stand out too much because it's not quite as vivid as a red or orange. 
• Dazzling Blue - This blue has a little sparkle to it and is the polar opposite of placid blue because it conveys excitement, whereas placid blue conveys quietness. This electric blue looks great on shorts and would be an appealing swimsuit color.

I hope this color trend information gives you some inspiration when deciding on Spring attire to wear. Of course, don't think you have to follow these color trends exactly. Be yourself and wear the colors that make you feel your best. I do encourage you to go out of your comfort zone and try a color you may say doesn't look good on you, because I bet you actually look fabulous.

"Color is essentially a personal matter and changes with place and over time. This makes it all the more important for us, who will carry our conceptions of color in the future, to try and become more sensitive to the voices of a wider range of colors," Kuno states in Colorscape.

Sources:

-Naomi Kuno and Forms Inc./Color Intelligence Institute. (1999). Colorscape.
-http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?pid=3&season=spring&year=2014