Fashion Colors & Trends - Pantone

[LyndaC]

Great topic.  I, too, understand the Color Me Beautiful thinking.  I have taught this to teenagers and found the principles work consistently.   We tend to forget that our coloring DOES change.   We do NOT all look good in black and white.  Thank you, all you smart ladies who have noticed that our faces should be the focal point. 

And I do feel that, just because you like certain colors, they do NOT necessarily look good on you.  Try it yourself.  Drape yourself neck down in a color and look in a mirror.   Do your eyes seem tired or bright?  Does your skin seem sallow and sunken, or glowing?   Try black against your face.  What do you see first, black or face?    If you are shopping and cannot find a mirror, try the color against your wrist.  Be honest!

[Terri K]

Stitchwench, suggest you browse the books by Bobbi Brown whose goal is to make everyone look like they aren't wearing makeup.  Her techniques and color suggestions make everyone look great, no matter their coloring or age!

[LyndaC]

Some basics we seem to have not stated clearly in this thread:

*Your basic skin tone does NOT change:  you can be pink/blue based or yellow/orange based, that can fade or appear strong, but it will not change.  Look for hints on your tummy and inside your wrists if you aren't sure.

*Your best colors, therefore, may vary in intensity,but will not vary in base color.  Therefore, a Winter may find blue-based jewel tones too strong as her coloring fades, but the same blue/based Summer colors may be just right.  Same with Fall/Spring yellow-based skin tones.

*We do sometimes choose the wrong colors.  This is usually because we choose what our Mothers, husbands, or friends wore or wanted us to wear.  That's why you see so many being overpowered by the "little black dress."

[Liana]

*We do sometimes choose the wrong colors.  This is usually because we choose what our Mothers, husbands, or friends wore or wanted us to wear.  That's why you see so many being overpowered by the "little black dress."

Oh, this is so very true!  I was one who took a very long time to realize just what colors I really wanted to wear.  Even now I wonder sometimes if I'm doing the "right" thing, but on the whole, I think so.  Hope so anyway! 

[RuthieK]

Anyone who wants to explore the whole colours thing, there is a whole bulletin board just for it which I am a member of.
http://grimwarders.dyndns.org/mxcolorstudio/index.php
You have to join (free) to read and post and its great fun
There a quite a few sewists on there these days which is nice as well.

Go into the Forums, and click on New registrants, then start a New Topic introducing yourself, and find out more about what colours would work for you.

[Terri K]

The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2008 has just been posted.    Here is the link.    I always love to read these, see what inspires the designers and the colors they used.

  Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2008

This report also sent me to the most amazing designer and collection, Tia Cibani for Ports 1961 and their site:

Ports 1961 Global Soul - Urban Spirit

[Albyn64]

How interesting to see Ports re-merge! It used to be really popular here in Canada in the eighties in particular, when their beautifully made classic styles were great work wardrobe staples. Actually my first wrap knit tops were from Ports then and I loved them - I had one in every colour! All that I have left are some of the lovely nacre shirt buttons that they used and which await a new use! The company disappeared, at least from the stores around here about the mid 90s I think.
The African collection is gorgeous - especially the silk dress - not quite for this retired life style, but lovely to see.
Margaret

[Terri K]

Oh, and since Spring 2008 is just around the corner, here's the link to that one:  Pantone fashion color report spring 2008

Check out the Fall/Winter 07 collection too.   Very clean lines, elegant fabrics and sophisticated.    I love their shift and sheath dresses, especially this one - check out the better photos on Ports 1961 site.



Draped shift dress with cape sleeves

[Jenny]

Thanks for that link, Terri. It was fun to look through the designers pages. Athough many are unfamiliar to me, enjoyed reading about their color inspirations. Happy to see cantaloupe is still current, as I have yardage unsewn from previous seasons. Yummy color!! Also like Daiquiri Green and Snorkel Blue -- beautiful.

[Terri K]

Just happened to be looking at the Kwik Sew Spring newsletter this evening, and this KS dress pattern #3578 is my kind of quick and easy knock-off of the Kai Milla illustration (spice bottom & lemon bodice) on page 14 (which may be a skirt & top) but the color report gave me ideas for the KS pattern anyway.



Also check out Saks Fifth Avenue's videos with Michael Fink, Director of Fashion of the NY Fall 2008 Fashion Week shows.