The Colors of Fall

As summer approaches it might be difficult to think of autumn, but fashion is always ahead of its time. With this in mind it might be a good time to look at th color palette for fall 2016 as presented by Pantone, which bills itself as “the color authority,”

The fall season’s colors are dominated by the blue family, which translates to the “desire for tranquility, strength, and optimism,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

The blue hues are mixed with a combination of earth tones and touches of bright colors, making for a diverse showing for the season. Despite this diversity, calming and comforting blues dominate.

“Along with anchoring earth tones, exuberant pops of vibrant colors also appear throughout the collections. Transcending gender, these unexpectedly vivacious colors in our fall 2016 palette act as playful but structured departures from your more typical fall shades,” Eiseman said. “Blue skies represent constancy as they are always above us. Grays give a feeling of stability; red tones invite confidence and warmth, while the hot Pinkish Purples and Spicy Mustard Yellows suggest a touch of the exotic.”

The 10 calming colors that topped Pantone’s fall 2016 list are Riverside Blue, Airy Blue, Sharkskin Gray, Aurora Red, Warm Taupe, Dusty Cedar, Lush Meadow Green, Spicy Mustard, Potter’s Clay and Bodacious.

“If you look at this season’s entire palette, the idea of comforting blues coming to the top of the list again shows that people are still searching for that reassurance,” Eiseman added.

According to reports, the colors are already being used on the international stage. For example, during the recent Paris fashion shows, Karl Lagerfeld incorporated Airy Blue into his Chanel collection. Aurora Red makes an appearance on Rihanna’s “Anti” album cover.

In jewelry design there are two ways to approach the anticipated fall colors. You can use the “boldness” of Aurora Red and the “rich and elegant” green of “Lush Meadow” to add pop to the blues and neutral colors that will be worn this fall. Or you can stick to the dominate colors on the palette with the cool and calming blue of “Riverside” and the “weightlessness” of Airy Blue as well of the earth tones of Sharkskin Gray, Warm Taupe, Dusty Cedar and Potter’s Clay.

Since blues and earth tones will likely dominate clothing choices this year, a touch of bold colors for jewels provides a proper contrast.

Bold Red Ruby Earrings

Lush Green Emerald Dragonfly Ring

River Blue Pave Set Ring