Color Forecast for Fall 2016

My sis sent me this great email from Mood Fabrics in NYC with a great ‘feel’ for THE colors for fall.  Not that we let anyone dictate WHAT we wear, but it IS fun to know ‘what the powers that be’ have decided is ‘IN’.  Mood is the great fabric store in NYC where the contestants on Project Runway go to shop.  My little sister got to visit there, but I haven’t!   Back during my shop ownership days, I bought fabrics from Mood – always finding great pieces.

Anyway – here are their pictures of color trends for Fall.  Go to this LINK HERE to read more of their commentary and to see the runway garments.  When you do – note that the pant silhouette is NOT all skin-tight!!!!  Yep, there are some – but if you count through – it is (finally) NOT the main look.  I also don’t see the (very tired to me) silhouette of long tunics with tight short leggins any longer.  Personally – YEAH!

‘Camper’ is the first group – greens.  Vineyard Green  is a nice olive – not too ‘warm’ undertone, nor too ‘cool’ undertone.  My eyes are in this family – so greens are good for me.  Your eyes are the ‘window to your soul’ – so always a good color to repeat in your clothing – your eyes will ‘pop’.  Atlantic Deep is a cool undertone green – one most can wear, I’d say.  Dress Blues is pretty dark.  All of the first three colors could become ‘BASIC’ colors (pant, skirt, jacket) in a wardrobe capsule.  Apple Green is pretty ‘acid’ and hard in general for most gals to wear.  I have a red-headed friend who looked GREAT in this color, but it isn’t for grey-haired me, for sure.  Just my (educated) opinion…

‘Sunset’ is the next group.   Winsome Orchid would be beautiful on many of us ‘Baby Boomers’ turning grey.  Orange is hard to wear.  Period.  Maybe a good Sport Team color, but I’ve yet to see it look great – on hardly anyone.  The orange shown is definitely VERY warm undertone.  Radiant Orchid is a nice, reddish purple. It would mix lovely with navy.  Could be a good BASIC wardrobe color, as could Chili Pepper.  Every lady needs to determine her ‘Red’.  Chili Pepper is a cool undertone red, good for SO many people.  It is dark, yet has some life.  Classy.  Just plain classy.

‘SEAGLASS’ is next.  Just as the aqua family is so popular in home dec (just look at plastic containers in the Walmart, etc.), it is also popular for clothing.  My color training taught me that some form of aqua WILL BE GREAT on everyone.  FIND YOURS!!!  I’ve found that ‘riding the line’ between a blue-aqua and a green-aqua can be tough – cause if you ‘miss’, things won’t go together.  CARRY SWATCHES!!!  Aruba Blue above (I sure don’t agree with THAT color name), is obviously more of a greeny aqua rather than a blue-y aqua.

GHOST rounds out the color groupings.  Carefully pick this out for yourself.  REALLY look at your skintone – on your FACE, in natural light withOUT makeup to determine your skintone match.  This can be a VERY classy ‘white’ for you-mixing with other BASIC colors, it is just a great tool in your wardrobe.  Think a basic top/blouse/shell.    I was taught that no one looks good in white white – not to wear a white white-er than your teeth or the white of your eyes.  The only place I wear white is in a white pant – and those will be put away after Labor Day – old fashioned gal that I am.

FWIW (For what it’s worth) my color training was the Color Key System.  I agree pretty much across the board with everything that my friend, Nancy Nix-Rice teaches in her book, Looking Good.  NOW would be a GREAT TIME to order this book, read it, and PURGE your spring/summer before you pack it away, and to filter/shop for fall/winter as you make the big ‘switcheroo’ for your wardrobe.  Order the Coil Binding – as this book will be VITAL your wardrobe planning.  

Click HERE to order