Pantone's Moody Fall 2013 Color Palette

Fall is many months away, but Pantone is already looking forward to it with “a palette of many moods.”

As the weather and scent of the air changes when the summer wanes and fall approaches, so does our mood. The changing temperatures reflect the need for wardrobe to change, as well.

In Pantone’s Fall Color Report, the many moods of change are described as the “colors come together to create moods that range from sophisticated and structured to lively and vivid, encapsulating our inherent need for wardrobe variety to reflect emotions that run from thoughtfully introspective to irrepressibly elated.”

The colors deepen and bring the needed warmth we expect to carry us from fall through winter. Pantone has an array of designers whose influence is seen in their full report. I selected just one to review in this short space.

Nanette Lapore is inspired this fall by the darker side of nature including the beauty of agate. She suggests Midnight Violet as a deep neutral that will pair well with the new colors of fall 2013.

All of the Pantone fashion influence designers were asked to recommend a must-have item and for their color advice. Nanette’s response speaks to this blogger’s fashion sense for her must have item, “A hologram handbag will add excitement to your fall wardrobe by providing a pop of color to darker looks.” 

Nanette challenges us to, “Be bold with color and experiment with new and unexpected mixes.”

Several of the Pantone designers did recommend combining only 3 colors when putting together new looks.

Here are the colors and emotions for this fall’s prominent hues:

• Emerald: Multifaceted luxury and elegance
• Mykonos Blue: Meditative and relaxed
• Acai: Exotic mysterious richness
• Samba: Expressive Drama
• Koi: Dazzling and Decorative
• Vivacious: Wildly Deep
• Turbulance and Carafe: Sophisticated and interesting black alternatives

For the men’s must-have recommendation, Angelo Galasso prefers an ‘embossed leather coat in brown’ while Kenneth Cole counters with a ‘Shearling in every way’.

"The fall 2013 palette allows for that versatility and experimentation." said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. With so many colors to fall in love with, there is surely one or two that will capture your emotional connection. Plan ahead with this color report and start looking for your brand’s new additions in outerwear, accessories or fashion basics.

Be bold, embrace the colors of 2013!