Every year, fashion trend experts make their predictions about what will be the biggest hit of the New Year, and color enthusiasts are no different. Two of the leading trendsetters are Pantone and Etsy, who have both recently released their respective Color of the Year for 2022.
For the first time, Pantone created a brand new color for their Color of the Year instead of choosing one from their giant roster of shades. Very Peri, a sort-of periwinkle, was chosen because it is rooted in optimism, warmth, and growth, something all of us are looking for going into Year Three of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pantone describes the shade as a “warm and friendly blue hue with a carefree confidence and joyful attitude.” The company also predicts other blue hues to take over 2022, like Spun Sugar, Skydiver, Harbor Blue, and Glacier Lake. Etsy, on the other hand, chose Emerald Green as their Color of the Year, representing harmony, growth, and refinement. Although they are very clearly different colors, they do have one thing in common: both are abundantly found in nature, no matter where you look.
While natural colors are definitely here to stay in 2022, fashion experts also claim consumers are more and more interested in bright, saturated colors. A recent report from Stitch Fix, a styling service, found more than one third of their customers say they are excited for brighter hues this year. This may be a daunting thing for those who are more accustomed to darker, more subdued colors. If you’re unsure of whether bright colors are for you, or have no idea how to style a bolder look, I’m here to help.
To get used to sporting wilder colors, you can always start with nail polish. Contrasting a bright lavender against a darker wardrobe is an easy way to ease into the world of color. The same goes with earrings. Chunky, yet light, earrings were a staple of 2021, and you can add them to your closet by choosing those with crazy patterns to go with monochrome outfits. Once you get more comfortable, you can expand your clothes with patterned sweaters. The chunky cardigans with varying geometric designs from the 80s and 90s really came back with a vengeance last year. In 2022, you can expand on that by choosing sweaters with patterns involving a whole multitude of colors.
