Fall Color Trends from Pantone

What colors will you be wearing this fall?  According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for fall 2010 (you can download a free PDF at the bottom of the linked page), the on-trend fashionista's palette will be made up of vivid brights anchored with neutrals like khaki and chocolate:

"Mindful of consumers' need for practicality, plus their desire for newness, designers offer many options for women to extend and embellish their wardrobes this fall," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Building on the color palette from spring, this season's offerings include innovative takes on fundamental basics, as well as transporting, lively colors that conjure images of travel and adventure, whether real or aspirational."

Sephora Collection Colorful Palettte
in Eternally Purple, $24 at Sephora.com

The concept of carrying color over from the last season for economic reasons is echoed from the Spring 2010 report, which focused on neutrals mixed with primary brights already in most closets.  Shades od coral, red, khaki and green have carried over from the spring and are warmed up with chocolately plum, warm yellow, and fall's hottest shade – purple.

Purple is where's it's at this year!  Makeup and nail polish are hot in every shade from plum to lavender, and purple hues were all over the fall runways.  What's great about this shade is that it's almost universally flattering.  There's a shade of purple for everyone, and it's a rich, saturated color that feels simultaneously warm and vibrant. 

Mossimo sweater, $17.99 at Target.com

The warm gold on Pantone's list isn't as easy to pull off.  If you're pale (like me) or have a cool-toned complexion, yellow can easily wash you out and leave you looking sickly and tired.  If you're feeling daring you can punch up a neutral outfit or black dress with a pair of brightly-colored tights, which will both keep your legs warm in the autumn chill and allow you to wear colors you normally couldn't since the color isn't right next to your face.  Or you can layer a lightweight sweater like this one from Target under a blazer (boyfriend blazers are still big!) or break up the color by adding a scarf at the neck.  That way you get a pop of the yellow without it overwhelming you.   (I think this sweater would look great with some zebra print accessories if you want to combine trends!)

With springy colors like coral and turquoise, it can be tough to know how to transition them into a fall look.  The trick is pairing them with richer shades:  instead of khaki, try wearing your coral pieces with gray, green, or chocolate brown.  Carry turquoise into fall by mixing it with gold.  You can shake up your neutrals, too.  Try gray shoes where you might have worn black for an updated look. 

And as always, an easy way to try out a new color is with accessories.  Add a bold scarf to a neutral outfit, or look into a bright pair of pumps or a bright purse.  That's also a simple way to update your look without spending lots of cash.

For some more ideas on fall's hot colors, check out this article at CollegeFashion.net