Pastels: The Fall Trend
Ilana Kaufman ('17)
November 27, 2014
Among this fall’s fashion trends are simplicity and softness, as pastel colors could be seen all over Fashion Week
runways. Designers such as Miu Miu, Gucci, Sonia Rykiel and others incorporated colors like sky blue, lavender, melon, rose, and mint green in their fall collections. Yes, pastels are hues that are usually thought of as belonging to spring and summer, but things are being changed up a bit for Fall 2014. Since most people’s fall clothing is comprised of mostly dark and gloomy hues, the pastels will add a nice soft tone to wardrobes. For all the spring lovers out there, spring has only just begun.
There are many great ways to wear pastels, whether draping yourself in them from head to toe or incorporating them into a more traditional fall look. The designers have shown many looks, from wearing a single sweet tone, to wearing a few at once. Some designers introduced solid pastel outfits, while others created eye-catching designs, or added black and white for accents in their design. For example, a dress by Tod’s was sky blue and white with black outlines that allowed the blue, a light color, to truly pop. Gucci displayed a boardshorts suit in mint green, which emphasized the chicness and simplicity of its tone. Although pastels are a subdued shade, they have simple beauty.
The pastels differ from primary colors in the way they mix with other colors. Sky blue adds a vibe of ‘fresh air’ to more neutral-based clothing, but can also be the base of more vibrant hues. Here is a great tip: when using sky blue as an accent, pair it with taupe. Orange Peel (also known as orange), when paired with sky blue, makes the latter seem a more neutral-toned color and adds a fun, wild side to your outfit. The softest of color, powdery pink, gives a boost of femininity and tone of strength. Because powdery pink is pale, pairing it with other light colors, such as cream, lightens it further.
Like many other longstanding fashion ‘rules,’ restricting pastels to spring fashions has now fallen by the wayside. We are now free to use pastels in any season and create timeless looks. The fashion world freed white from being worn only in the summer, and browns from the colder seasons, and now pastels, too, can be worn all year around.
Because pastels can be worn with dark, light, and vibrant hues, they will mix well with your wardrobe in every season. Pastels never go out of style, and it will even be acceptable to wear them in the spring. In days long past, pastels were used to create a ladylike elegance, but by freeing them of their seasonal limits, today’s designers are bringing us a sense of beauty and a feeling of elegance that we can experience each and every day.