4 Colors That Are ‘in-style’ This Year

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Whether it’s fashion, interior design or graphic art, colors play an essential role in any form of design. Choosing the right color combination can make or break a website, outfit or decor. One sure way to make good color choices is by knowing what colors are ‘in’ this year. Here is a breakdown of the four most prominent ‘in’ colors and how best to utilize them in whatever field of art you are working with:

Honeysuckle

This is a bright reddish/pink tone created by Pantone, Inc. Pantone is famous for its color of the year selection. Honeysuckle is a great tone and can mix well with a variety of other colors. Recently it has made a huge splash in the fashion world. Famous figureheads, like Michelle Obama, have been seen wearing this vibrant color. It is also commonly appears in graphic arts because of its eye-catching hue. Beware that honeysuckle, and any form of pink for that matter, is mostly associated with female-related products and services.

Pair with: other shades of pink, citrus yellow, navy, gray, lilac, dusty blue

Vintage Wine

Many are saying that this deep reddish/purple/gray color is the new black. Although Benjamin Moore, a paint company, is the one who is touting this new color fad for 2011, it has quickly been picked up by all industries, including the fashion industry. It can also be seen in the typeface of magazine covers, makeup and accessories.

Pair with: black, grays, navy, citrus yellow, violet, honeysuckle (if you are feeling bold)

Citrus Yellow

Said to reflect warmth and sunshine, this pastel yellow color gives a cheery and light feeling. ICI Dulux, a European paint company, has declared this to be their color of 2011. Examples of its use in fashion can be seen in all of the biggest fashion shows of the season. It is also incredibly versatile and pairs well with all the other colors that are popular this year.

Pair with: honeysuckle, navy, other shades of blue, vintage wine, plum, gray

Plum

While not a color declared by any of the leading color companies, plum deserves some recognition. It has become an increasingly popular color for weddings in 2011. Since billions of dollars are spent on weddings each year, it’s worthwhile to analyze the influence of color on such a lucrative event. Weddings encompass all aspects of art, from fashion, to design and even graphic art on invitations and wedding videos. Paired with an off-white or neutral color, plum can be striking while still setting a romantic tone.

Pair with: white, cream, champagne, citrus yellow, sage green, silver

Color trends are fleeting. Who knows what the ‘in’ colors will be next year. But in the meantime, it can greatly benefit fashionistas, interior designers, and graphic artists to implement some of this year’s hottest colors. Especially since our minds are subconsciously trained to be drawn to the latest trends(remember the fluorescent colors from the 80s?).