Tangerine Tango

2011-Honeysuckle
2010- Turquoise
2009- Mimosa
2008- Blue Iris

Photo: Pantone.com

Pantone announces 2012's color of the year

Each year for over a decade, Pantone, the authority on color, selects one hue that they feel best represents the year and will be the leading color throughout fashion, cosmetics, interior design, and more. They meticulously search the world over and analyze anything that has an impact on color trends from what’s hot in the entertainment industry to socio-economic conditions. 2011's color was honeysuckle.

Tangerine Tango is 2012’s Color of the Year. Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s executive director, described it as, “Sophisticated, but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it.” Fashionable for both men’s and women’s apparel, it was a leading color in the spring runway shows and will continue into fall with equal strength.

Look for Tangerine Tango outside of apparel as well. It is popular for cosmetics (lip, cheeks, nails and even eye shadow) and interior design.

Annie O'Connor, assistant editor
Posted on Dec 15th, 2011 in sewing, design, fabric, Pantone, color, 2012

Comments (32)

babettemunchkin writes: Wear what you love, love what you wear! Being the trendy colour doesn't have to mean that it suits everyone - of course not. But you can use accents of the colour or go for shades of the same, if that is what you want.......but who says that you want to have what you have been told you should want.....:)
It might not have been exactly Tango Tangerine, but hues of orange have been very popular on the fashion scene since at least the Summer of this year.
Posted: 4:11 pm on December 28th

SeaSprite writes: This tangerine/orange colour looks fantastic on the spreading tropical Flame tree and on another flowering vine from the tropics.

I'd have to carefully examine and photograph the Flame tree flowers, bark and leaves and colour combinations and go with the tangerine colour as an accent rather than the dominant feature.

Examples: green of leaves dominant colour, brown of bark as accent, oranges as accent, any reds or yellows in dominant red and accent yellow.

I have found nature supplies fantastic colour combinations that fashion would at times dispute.

My next question is... do I really want to look like a Flame tree??

Posted: 12:37 am on December 28th

Stitcher75 writes: As a University of Illinois alum, I can't truthfully say I hate orange. I can say that, at best, tangerine tango will only be an accent that stays far from my face if it finds its way into my wardrobe.

I agree with Dsapsmith. Perhaps Pantone would consider naming a set of colors each year. There are still people who prefer to dress in colors that complement their skin tone even if those colors aren't the color du jour.
Posted: 8:18 pm on December 27th

Dsapsmith writes: No way can I wear this color. I love the look on the ladies who can wear the color. I won't be running out to add this to my stash. sorry, Pantone, no go!

I am constantly amazed by groups or others who can dictate colors for a season. Many women and others simply cannot wear this color.

Fashion should dictate to a universal colorway complimentary to the human form.

Posted: 11:53 pm on December 25th

SandiRemedios writes: I like the colour, I LOVE the picture, but it won't have a place in my home or closet anytime soon. However I would enjoy it in other peoples homes and wardrobes.
When the hyper lime green colour first came out I HATED it, but it grew on me and I came to love it, in flower arrangements and perhaps that is where I will use this tangerine as well.
Posted: 10:32 pm on December 22nd

NinaLBoston writes: Sorry, everyone, but I think I have orange overload already! Haven’t we seen this color out in ready-to-wear way too long? I’m probably a spoil sport because I don’t care for most oranges (although tangerine is probably one of the more attractive ones) and ESPECIALLY do not care for it in office apparel, which is most of what I sew.

If that’s what they’re going to try to sell this year, I’ll be working off the stash! (Finally, I can justify the stash to the hubby – HaHa! He doesn’t like orange either.)

Posted: 1:28 pm on December 22nd

Sharon_Carbine writes: I love the color "Tangerine Tango." It makes me smile because it is very bright and happy. I plan to include it in a multi-colored quilt.
Posted: 12:49 am on December 22nd

WayOutWest writes: I was just looking at the new McCalls Spring patterns and there are several pattern covers that show the garment on models in this new orange. Sadly, none of the models look good in the color,their faces seem washed out. Although I love the richness of tangerine, I too will have to sit this one out as my skin tone has blue undertones and I can't wear orange.
Posted: 4:01 pm on December 21st

notenoughdivas writes: Love the color. It is exciting and romantic.
Posted: 12:55 pm on December 21st

CARLAJ01 writes: This can be a tricky color for very pale skin tones. I would advise them to do a pastel version or a lighter hue, so they won't look washed out. Darker skin tones should also avoid too "orangy" tones because it could make them look clownish. Everyone looks better in the reddish hues that are complementary to most skin tones.
Posted: 12:39 pm on December 21st

ellenatstitchart writes: I am very familiar with Pantone because I worked as s graphic artist for many years. It was and presumably still is the standard when specifying ink to the printing industry. I still have my Pantone Matching System books and use them for reference in my designing and sewing.
By the way I love the color selected by Pantone for 2012. I don't understand why there are so many negative comments posted here. It is a beautiful lively choice of color - in my opinion.
I finished a new bag yesterday that has some of this color in it. I hope to post it on "Readers Closet".
Posted: 12:28 pm on December 21st

LaurieDiane writes: I had to wait for 20 comments to sound off and love what Corney said...This is a fantastic color for the times. I'm sure I already have it in my stash in a fabulous print...
I kind of like the idea of introducing it to my kitchen...thanks to another comment from Grammaterry...her scheme sounds wonderful
Posted: 11:38 am on December 21st

LadyJai writes: I absolutely love the Tangerine Tango. I was born with the blessing of beautiful skin for which all colors are complimentary, especially the orange tones. I will surely bring this color to the forefront of my wardrobe in 2012. Great choice, Pantone!!
Posted: 9:34 am on December 21st

Serral writes: The color is beautiful and a pleasant change from the ubiquitous runway black or brown as "the new black". Unfortunately, it's not an easy color for many skin tones to wear, myself included. That doesn't mean that a piece of some exquisite silk-wool blend won't end up in my stash...:)
Posted: 7:45 am on December 21st

SisterSuzieSews writes: I think I'll sit this one out. I know the colors have to cycle between the two sides of the wheel. I sew for family members that this would look great on. I just don't happen to be one of them. I'll tango in some other color, maybe a true red.
Posted: 11:31 pm on December 20th

slmendes writes: I love this color! I'll be looking out for it for apparel fabrics and home decor accent pieces. In some tones of orange, it looks great on deeper skin tones, like the woman in the photo. I made a lovely silk charmeuse dress in a color like this for my destination wedding trip and it was perfect with the tan I got in Mexico. I think it's a GREAT and fun color!!!
Posted: 10:25 pm on December 20th

peanuts7 writes: A good color for me. I hope I can find fabric in a medium
shade.
Posted: 8:35 pm on December 20th

sew46sews writes: On the Pantone website, the color moves across the page from left to right, getting deeper as it goes along. The darker tones are very rich. I can see accent cushions on a white couch moving through the palette.
Posted: 7:30 pm on December 20th

ustabahippie writes: Wow! Who'd have thought so many would take this so personally? I wear the colors that look best on me, which don't happen to include tangerine, but I do love the color. I hope I can find some prints that include it as a small accent along with colors that flatter my skin tone.
Calm down everyone, Pantone does not dictate to us what colors we can wear. Only the slaves to fashion. And tangerine will look great on the bathroom wall, or somewhere.
Posted: 7:24 pm on December 20th

grammaterry writes: Since it has been my go to in decorating the last several years, I love it! More availability! Redid our kitchen and my grandmother's orange glassware from the late 50's became the inspiration. So orange accents in a maple and stainless steel kitchen and a "tango orange" wall in a sunroom south facing sunroom that backs up to the kitchen. A trio of tinyItalian mouth-blown mini lights over the kitchen reflects off the stainless and adds such nighttime pizzaz. Orange glassware peeks out from behind a couple of small glass doors on cabinetry. Just didn't over do the orange!
Posted: 6:33 pm on December 20th

LynnCooper writes: I like the color but I can't wear it in a garment, maybe as an accent piece. . .
Posted: 6:11 pm on December 20th

Corney writes: Relax ladies, it's only one of several colors offered for the season. Surely one of them will be very flattering to you.
Posted: 6:10 pm on December 20th

saratogasewing writes: Ilove the orange tones! It all depends on your coloring - and because I can't wear pink, or especially fuscia, I avoid thise colors.
Posted: 6:09 pm on December 20th

Grandmagwen writes:
Posted: 5:59 pm on December 20th

Grandmagwen writes: Most people will probably like it but I for one hate the color. I can't wear it and wouldn't if I could. It's also a bad color for me in cosmetics. But I'm sure I can work with it this year.
Thanks
Posted: 5:59 pm on December 20th

sewing65years writes: YUK
Posted: 5:57 pm on December 20th

Sewmarj writes: this happens to be a good color for me personally and I LIKE it a lot. I'm looking forward to finding things in this beautiful shade.
Posted: 5:44 pm on December 20th

wenoel writes: I hate orange too unless it's paired with something like hot pink. Orange doesn't look good on anyone especially near the face. I wore orange in 1968 but I was a kid and following the trends.
Posted: 5:31 pm on December 20th

trickyfingers writes: How strange. A colour so few people can be near let alone wear. I'm one of the few who can wear it, but I sure don't like it. Oh well, like every dog, every colour must have their day!
Posted: 5:25 pm on December 20th

SharonSCH writes: I HATE ORANGE on anything but fruit and autumn leaves. I have no regard for Pantone at all, and this just confirms my feeling that they're off in a cloud someplace. Disgusting.
However, on the other hand, then I won't be tempted to buy any new clothes or fabric.
Posted: 5:16 pm on December 20th

SewcietyMaven writes: I love the infusion of strong colors!

Posted: 5:08 pm on December 20th

casey3225 writes: Not flattering on those with pink skin tones.
Posted: 5:08 pm on December 20th

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