For the first time in their company's history, Pantone has come out with a men's color palette for Spring 2010! You might not have paid attention, but the colors in menswear do vary from the colors in women's apparel, with an exception of a few select standards such as Turquoise, Dried Herb and Amparo Blue. The difference remains in most neutral colors as well as a few spicier fashion colors. Below are some highlights of risky and comfortable hues you will see hit the floors this coming spring. Pay attention to the color story rather than the fashions featured and think of ways you can mix in this trendy palette!
Be on the look out for Pantone named "Coffee Liquor". This shade of brown is the shade you will see heavily in menswear and in men's suits and is slightly darker than Tuscany, the brown shade for women. Dolce and Gabbana uses this coffee as a dominant color in their spring collection.
Grey's will remain neutral colors for Spring 2010, much like the Steel Grey in the photo above. These hues are relaxed yet tailored and will be seen in heavily suiting and trousers in addition to casualwear. The look photoed above is from Monarchy's Spring 2010 runway where a relaxed button-down is paired with destroyed jeans and finished with a casually-tailored blazer. This is a great day-to-night look.
Men need a little spice of color too, hence, Pantone's 'Spicy Orange'. Marc Jacobs incorporates Spicy Orange in his Spring 2010 "Pantone Prep" collection (right). He does a superb job energizing prints with bold colors or pairing vibrant solids with subtle, yet statement, neutrals. If this color is too spicy for you to go completely submerged in it, sport it in a print like the tie featured in Jean Paul Gaultier's spring collection where it adds a refreshing pop of color.
Amparo Blue is a shared color between men and women's apparel for spring 2010. A look from Bottega Veneta's Spring 2010 collection is pictured above. Blue makes an appearance in casual, formal and beachwear as its versatility allows it to be utilized in a variety of ways. And yes, that is a satchel for men which makes an appearance in nearly all designer collections for Spring. Think of it as the modern-day briefcase, not a purse!
Chalk Violet might seem feminine, and although it is another color shared with the female palette, men can wear it too. This might not be your look, or any of the ones that I have featured here, however, if you are a guy who isn't shy of wearing pinks (aka "salmon" for those who want to be comfortable in your pinks) then tap into this season's "new pink" and go for violet. This is a look from Ralph Lauren's spring show and is predictably preppy. So think of wearing violets as a splash of color in your ties, your shoes or in a graphic tee.
Pantone's men's palette for ready-to-wear also includes colors such as Turquoise, Sheepskin (left) and Sudan (right). Sheepskin made an appearance in a lot of tailored clothing on the runway so you can expect to see it in trousers and button downs. This is the subtle and more blushy take on the pinks men like to wear, but since pink is now more widely accepted, to spring will test the waters with violet. Sudan has a burnt and rustic look to it and can be seen in casualwear as well as suiting and outerwear. Although these colors might seem risky and intimidating presented in the form of a "block" you will be more accepting of it as you see it at retail.
*All colors and industry color names pulled from top color forecaster, Pantone
