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Fall 2014 Color Trends Abandon Typical Palette

The Fall 2014 Women's Fashion Color Palette: Misted Yellow, Aluminum, Mauve Mist, Royal Blue, Cypress, Aurora Red, Cognac, Radiant Orchid, Bright Cobalt, and Sangria.

Autumn is almost here and I’ve been thinking about my fall and winter wardrobe for a few months already. How about you? I don’t always pick up on color trends in fashion, preferring to dress in colors that flatter me regardless of what’s popular. But I love discovering ‘new’ colors and incorporating them into my wardrobe and my sewing, integrating them into my wardrobe in interesting ways, or realizing that a color I strongly disliked for most of my life (I’m looking at you, Chartreuse) is suddenly the perfect accent to a color I’ve loved all my life. And really, when the fabric shops are flooded with the same hot color palettes that RTW shops and fashion runways are saturated with, what’s the point of resisting?

This fall, we’re in for a bit of a change, according to the Pantone Color Institute. Pantone tracks global color trends and surveys fashion designers about their use of color each fall and spring and from this market research, the company develops a seasonal Fashion Color Report on the season’s most prevalent and important color trends. These are the colors you’ll see in clothing and fabric stores throughout the season.

According to Pantone, atypical hues mark fall 2014’s color trends. Fashion designers eschewed the standard autumnal palette in favor of a more diverse selection of colors with broad influences, infused with “visions of the past and a sense of adventure in the present.” That means that the designs and colors shown on runways were visibly inspired by the aesthetic of antique books, artisan crafts, retro architecture, and photography, as well as exotic landscapes.

The top 10 colors for women this fall are: berry-infused Sangria; sophisticated, orange-tinged Aurora Red; romantic, diaphanous Mauve Mist; energetic, feminine Radiant Orchid (the color of the year); quietly majestic grey-green Cypress; green-tinted Bright Cobalt; complex and dignified Royal Blue; futuristic and neutral Aluminum; sunlight-golden Misted Yellow; and rich, muted Cognac.

The men’s fall palette draws on nearly all the same colors, only replacing the feminine Mauve Mist with lavender-infused Sea Fog.

While each person should choose the colors they prefer for their own wardrobes and sewing projects, exploring the season’s color trends can open up new avenues for self-expression. The fact that certain colors are hot this season certainly doesn’t mean you have to try them. But their popularity and widespread availability in fabric stores means you have a great opportunity to experiment with unfamiliar colors and combinations that could help further develop your personal style.

Do you like any of the colors that are trending for fall 2014? Do you think you’ll incorporate them into your sewing?

Discuss

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  1. rosiedoodle | | #1

    The colors tend to be a little drab, with undertones of gray and tan. I prefer clearer colors, especially for evening wear. But everyone is entitled to have their preferences. In my 60 years of life, one constant is that all do not have to agree on their favorites. Variety is the spice of life!

  2. user-3111296 | | #2

    Most of this palette is not good if you have yellow undertone sallow skin. Anything in the cool purple/pink family make me look sick.They may be the 'in colors', but there's only 2 of the 10 I can wear.

  3. User avater
    CFields | | #3

    I love these. Looks like my closet! Most of them are great for redheads.

  4. sewandgolf | | #4

    The bight cobalt might do, but the other colors are all WRONG for me. I look best in clear tones.

  5. sewquilter | | #5

    I like some of the colors but not all. I would probably wear some of the colors.

  6. Brabant | | #6

    Colour is a very personal thing. Just because a colour is "in season" or to be more accurate - has been selected as something to promote for a season - does not mean the colour will do anything for you! I know the colours that make me look my best and I stick to them come season, come fashion, come what may. I shall continue to do so. Should one day someone pick my colours to be "in" then for that season I shall be "in", otherwise happily "out" and looking my best.

  7. agatha44 | | #7

    love the last three colors

  8. StarrMarlene | | #8

    Well, I've never really bothered with the colour palettes of the season, however it has finally caught up to me! I have just purchased a brilliant lightly sequinned royal blue taffeta and matching lightweight wool for a jacket and skirt to wear to my nephew's wedding. Who knew I could be so avant guarde?

  9. User avater
    agapantha | | #9

    I don't care for the gold or royal blue but the rest are okay. Just okay, though, none of them really sing to me. Most of the colors are too busy being low key and modest to sing.

  10. User avater
    BLoves2Sew | | #10

    I like most of the colors, not sure about the Aluminum though. I have strawberry blonde hair and think that color would not look good on me. I did just buy a blouse (I know- I could have made it!) that has the Aurora Red and Cognac in it. Love the color combination!

  11. akmunro | | #11

    I'm a winter (dark brown hair, green eyes, pale skin tones), so any of the cool, strong, clear colours works for me - the royal blue, sangria (fuchsia), red, cobalt, orchid are all colours that I would/will happily wear supposing I can find fabrics in those shades. It is good to see a range of colours up for grabs, rather than the historical one or two major themes... what's a girl to do when this year's colour is mustard, and she isn't a red-head? Happy sewing!

  12. Concordiabelle | | #12

    Interesting comments! I find something to agree with in each one. Because of availability, I will probably have a bit of each color somewhere in my closet. Most of them will be just an accent, because only one or two are really flattering to me. I have been enjoying a handwoven chartreuse scarf that has multicolored ribbons in the design...an ideal way to play with something I'd never wear otherwise! Orchid makes me look like I'm ready to be buried, so I'm looking for another scarf with just enough to upgrade a flattering darker top...there are ways to make it work!

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