There’s only one brown, and it’s not bad – Cognac, which would make a nice silk evening gown or scarf. Radiant Orchid is a rich pink-purple that reminds me of summer, and Sangria is a hot cranberry tone that says fall without getting all tweedy. Two strong blues, Misted Yellow, and Aurora Red keep things from feeling too chilly. Primary colors are chic and seasonless!
This spring’s Pantone Palette for women is half brights, half pastels. Pantone claims this is emblemmatic of designers’ and consumers’ interest in establishing “equilibrium,” whatever that means. There are three blues, four if you count “Paloma,” a light blue-gray.
Women’s Spring 2014 Color Report – Pantone Fashion Color Report – from Pantone.com.
The “Freesia” yellow would make a pretty halter dress. “Dazzling Blue” screams accessories to me. And minty, pastel greens are always pretty, so “Hemlock” would work for just about anything.
As a person whose style is by definition not very trendy, it seems silly for me to care about Pantone’s seasonal color palettes. If you think about it, though, it does make sense. Even if I wear primarily vintage and vintage reproduction clothing, current color trends are going to affect any new accessories and repro-used fabrics I’ll be considering. So, why not do a little planning ahead? Forwarned is forearmed!
For some months now, I’ve been interested in the adorably gingham Gretel dress by Collectif. It’s got everything a gal hungry for summer really needs: red gingham cotton (you know, picnic style!) fabric, heart buttons down the front of the bodice, lace trim, and well-placed halter straps. I know that lots of people aren’t comfortable wearing halter-style dresses, but this one’s different. With a good strapless bra, the ties put no pressure at all on the back of my neck! Continue reading “Outfits of the Week: Collectif Gretel dress and Whirling Turban wingbust dress”
While much of the northern hemisphere is still frozen stiff, the roses are blooming in good ol’ north-central California. It’s nowhere near warm, but the light’s changed and our days are getting longer. Spring is almost here, and you know what that means: IT’S PANTONE TIME. Continue reading “Spring colors and wish list!”
Black and white is (are) in this spring. While I’m not really a trendy person (loving vintage style runs kind of counter to the idea), colors, color combinations, and retro-revivals are trends even I can do!
The Deadly Dames polka-dot wiggle dress is designer Micheline Pitt’s answer to the white-with-black-dots dress worn by Traci Lords in the movie Cry Baby. In my opinion, it’s even better than the piece that inspired it! The removable skull brooch and vinyl patent belt are nice little badass touches to an otherwise elegant midcentury-style cocktail dress. I bought the XL, which is my usual Deadly Dames top size. I’m in between the XL and 2x sizes at the hip, but I can normally squeeze into the smaller size.
Unique Vintage reproduction prom dress.
The Unique Vintage Lovely Lady in Lace dress is kind of a departure for me. I wouldn’t normally spend money on a poofy tulle prom dress, but since this one’s based on a real 1950s prom dress, and it’s on clearance for $48, I figured it was worth a try. I ordered the 2x on the advice of the size chart, and it was a good fit.
Overall, I’m happy with the dress. I love the colors. I love the floof. I love the two layers of tulle and two layers of satin lining. I like how the skirt looks with my white Malco Modes crinoline petticoat. I adore the rows of tulle rufflework on the double-layered bodice.
Yeah, it’s that time again. With autumn starting…tomorrow…the moment’s arrived for me to dig up the official Pantone fashion color report for fall, 2012. You may remember my dismay at last year’s muted, somewhat muddy palette. This season’s colors are a welcome change, incorporating clearer, cooler, crisper colors:
