Color Trends for 2011

With a new year comes all new everything to become obsessed with—that is, from a fashion perspective. And that always begins with rich, vibrant, turn-up-the-volume color. 


Along with silhouettes (long and lean '70s!) and pattern du jour (Ikat!), spring 2011 color trends offer a perfect barometer for outfit planning in the coming months. 


What to pack up and what to move front-and-center in your bursting-at-the-seams closet.   And with the spring season already peeking its rose-tinted shades out from beneath the 3-foot drifts of snow, we've got the six hottest hues of the moment right here. Not just any orange, yellow, or blue...this season, classic brights are a whole lot more interesting. 


And if you're wondering if white is really a color...well, this spring, it certainly is!Pink: But not just any pink! Honeysuckle pink (a bright, almost reddish hue) was voted the color of the year by Pantone, and, as far as fashion goes, it showed up on miles of spring 2011 runways, from Jil Sander to Valentino to DKNY. This signature pink also loved to pair up with other brights like aqua and orange or offering some bold contrast to more neutral tones like khaki and sand.

Above, from left: Peter Som, Jil Sander, Valentino, Badgley Mischka.

 Above, from left: Nina Ricci, Jil Sander, DKNY, Valentino.


Orange: The fashion Universe loves orange, and this spring 2011, it sprung up in a bushel of juicy hues like this mouth-watering persimmon shade, which we can't get enough of.

Above, from left: Vena Cava, Prada, J. Crew, Versace.

Yellow: Yellow is often a tough shade for many women to pull off, but given the extremes it went to for spring, we're willing to go there, despite the risks. Here, it ranged from a warm, buttery tone at Chanel to the palest, prettiest shades of chartreuse at Jason Wu and Proenza. In the spirit of the '70s, modern shades of mustard emerged on the runways, too.

Above, from left: Christopher Kane, Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel, VPL.

Above, from left: Yigal Azrouel, Jason Wu, Proenza Schouler, Nina Ricci.

Blue: Truth be told, nothing gets more classic than blue, especially this spring's offerings. Think a vibrant aqua, a dusty sky blue, and the richest navy (obsessed!) lead the trend pack. Surprise blue move of the moment: Sky blue was often paired with bright orange and rust to gorgeous effect...who knew?

Above, from left: From left: Diane von Furstenberg, J. Crew, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander.

Above, from left: Diane von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Peter Pilotto, Jil Sander.

Above, from left: Peter Som, Versace, Burberry Prorsum, DKNY.

Earth Tones: In a sharp contrast to all the spicier hues of spring, the season also welcomed a cool breeze of soothing, wearable earth-colored tones, from sand to a Santa Fe rusty red.

Above, from left: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vanessa Bruno, Rag & Bone, Victoria Beckham. 

Above, from left: Isabel Marant, Unique, United Bamboo, Marc Jacobs.

White: Yes, white is pretty much always a big color for spring and summer. But guess what? This spring 2011, it's like the shade (or, non-shade!) of the moment. Going well beyond your go-to white trousers and bundle of white tank-tops, crisp, head-to-toe white, jackets, and gowns were all a major designer favorite. And we're on board...totally. 

Above, from left: Derek Lam, Peter Pilotto, Yigal Azrouel, Rag & Bone. 

Above, from left: Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, Ralph Lauren, Temperley London.