Fashion Insights: Pantone Color of the Year

Quick, what’s your favorite color?

It’s a simple question, but the answer is often anything but. For some, their favorite is tied to their high school or college. For others, it is connected to their birthstone. And for many, it speaks to their personality; some people may be vibrant (orange) while others may be more subdued (gray).

Like anything, one’s favorite color may remain constant through their entire life. Or it could change based on new experiences – travel, marriage or death.

Every year, Pantone chooses its own color of the year based upon the zeitgeist of today. How could one make such a bold stance? Well, the New Jersey-based company is known as a leader in the field, having created the Pantone Matching System which standardized colors so different manufacturers can refer to this system to easily ensure the colors of products match without needing to have them physically next to one another.

This year’s picks are two shades – rose quartz and serenity – that symbolize a balance and serenity needed in these turbulent times.

Combined the subdued, understated colors are intended to elicit a calming, soothing sensation, sentiments we argue we could all use more of in 2016.

While picking colors of the year may seem haughty or superficial, we would argue otherwise. Colors manifest themselves in our lives on a daily basis. How do we feel when we enter a room that is painted purple? What assumptions do we make of the teenager dressed all in black? And what do we think when we see a yellow Corvette pass us on the highway?

Colors are the canvas of life and can elicit a variety of reactions just like rose quartz and serenity can bring about feelings of tranquility and stability.

With that basic premise, we invite you to find your perfect color this year. The color that symbolizes what you want to accomplish, who you want to be and what you want to see in this world.

If it aligns with Pantone’s picks, then you may want to check out these Rose Quartz-inspired Ray-Ban Wayfarers or these Serenity-inspired Wayfarers.