Spring into the Color of the Year – Honeysuckle
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How to add the color of 2011 into your wardrobe
I don’t know how ya’ll feel, but I am so over winter. The DC/Maryland area has been so icy cold this year that I’m just over it. Last year we had not one, not two, three full on blizzards and this year we’ve had some seriously low temperatures. I’m a girl from the south and I crave warmth, humidity and lots of sunshine. So it’s no surprise that all I can think about is spring and what I will wear as soon as the temps get warm enough for a light jacket (I truly miss those days). Don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned how and shared with all of you how to be cute in the colder months but really, I’m all about spring, summer and fall. So what am I looking most forward to this spring?
COLOR!
Everyone has been showing fabulous color blocking and bold colored solids and I’m just happy that fashion is (finally) returning to bold color.
I knew when the color authority Pantone announced Honeysuckle as the color of the year that bold color was going to be huge for 2011 – YAY! I know that for many of you this may seem daunting, but there are so many ways to incorporate color into your style without it being so scary. So let me give you a few examples of how to incorporate the trend color of the year into your wardrobe, with both subtle and bold options.
MAKEUP:
Subtle: Try a bright pink blush. It will go on sheer but still give you a great flush of color and perk up your pale winter skin. I adore NYC Cosmetics cream blush in hot pink. It is such a gorgeous shade in a super creamy and blendable blush. Blush is one of those beauty things I’d want to take with me on a dessert island. It is a staple in my beauty routine.
Bold: Try a bright pink lipstick. I have been obsessed with bright lipsticks lately and a fabulous hot pink has been at the top of my list. My favorite, Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon, is a richly pigmented hot pink with a very subtle shimmer. It is perfect for both day or night, especially when paired with winged out black liner and lots of mascara.
ACCESSORIES:
Subtle: Try a stack of hot pink bangles, preferably with sparkle like these stainless steel and pink crystal bangles. A stack of these paired with an all black ensemble gives off a great pop of color without feeling like you’re covered in pink.
Bold: Instead of a black or brown everyday bag, make your next bag pink! I rarely carry a bag that is black or brown, I prefer to carry color. It’s bright, cheery and an instant pick me up. Invest in a gorgeous leather bag, like the Coach Poppy Large Rocker , in a vivid pink and you’ll want to carry it everywhere you go.
CLOTHES:
Subtle: We talked about colorful tights last month, so why not try a pair of hot pink tights?! That’s my lovely cousin Amelia, modeling the look in my photo at right – see how cute? If you’re too scared of the bold hue, pair them with a solid colored dress and knee high boots (then you only have a few inches of color showing) but if you’re really daring, pair the tights with something short and grab a pair of ankle boots!
Bold: When I dress I like to do what I call traditional with a twist. Classic shapes but in vivid colors, so try going bold with a classic shaped dress like this scoop neck, but in a super bold shade of pink. Keep your accessories as minimal or as bold as you like.
Want to really go bold? Pair the dress with contrasting color tights like yellow or orange to really stand out.
we heartsters are you loving the Color of 2011? And how ready are you to add some bright colors to your winter staples?
DWJ is an accessories and beauty blogger for The Art of Accessories and is also sharing her love of cooking on Crumbs & Creativity.
This is one of my absolute favorite colors! It’s so great for a pop of color, and flattering for almost everyone.
And that Coach bag…ohhhh. I’m not a purse girl, but that one is softly whispering my name.
I love the tights idea; I have a shrug this exact color that I like to throw over my little black dresses. It dresses a cotton dress up with it’s bright color, but it also makes my slinkier dresses a little more dressed down. I love it!
I think a chunky necklace in honeysuckle would be a great way to bring the color into your wardrobe also. Esepcially if you’re wary of color, a fun statement piece can even work for the office without being too casual or daring.
I’m practically your neighbor, @dwj1, and this is an amazing post! Honeysuckle seems like the perfect remedy for this tiresome winter. I feel cheerier just reading your tips for incorporating my new favorite color into my life!
@lyssachelle, I’m with you on the tights. They’re such a simple way to brighten things up!
So awesome @dwj1! I love the tight idea as well. I just need some colorfulness in my life like you would not believe! Honeysuckle looks FAB! People would faint if they saw me wearing something other than opera black! Time to give it a try and freak some folk out!
@Alyssa I actually just bought a chunky pink necklace while on vacation in San Fransisco. I want to wear it with everything!
@Melissa so then you know it’s cold and miserable and I’m so over winter. Bring on spring!
@Pamela go for it!!! The pink tights are bright but so fun and kind of refreshing against all black outfits.
Though I love color, I’m not a pink kind of girl. Give me a kelly green or a cobalt blue, I’m happy! But there is something really, really pretty and incredibly feminine about Honeysuckle. And so spring, right?
I think the fashion picks skew a bit hotter than honeysuckle, which is a-ok with me! I go for bright more than soft.
And omg, your cousin is so cute, love those tights! And that jumper is to die for too.
Great post. Go @dwj1 and go Pantone!
How fun is this color?!! Love it and love all the bold colors. Great job on every pick too, @dwj1 – I would be thrilled to have any of these things…except I can’t see the dress for some reason, but from the description, it sounds fab! thanks for keeping us with it!
I will be the first to admit that I am scared of color. I do love to carry a bright bag, but by bright I mean dark purple. I still wear almost only grey and black, and jeans. The first couple of bright colored shirts I bought were Harajuku Lovers that I found for very cheap. One of them was orange and I thought I’d never wear it but I bought anyways because it was $10 and I was in desperate need of some retail therapy at the time. I’ve surprised myself by wearing it a lot, and I’m slowly adding more color to my wardrobe. I think its because I had bright colored hair for a long time (pink, purple, blue, red) and the last thing you want to do is clash with your own hair.
That being said, I love this article and I like that you gave me easy ways to work a bright color into my life. Thanks for the great post.
@lyssachelle, a “honeysuckle” colored necklace is a great idea! It’s a great way to just add a bit of bright color… Seriously, I might have to go to the mall and find one. Because I totally need more accessories! (like I need a hole in my head)…
“Honeysuckle” kind of reminds me of Barbie-pink, so I’m a huge fan. I think I own a pair of tights almost that color, that I bought for a Halloween costume, but didn’t end up wearing. And I’m too chicken to wear them as everyday wear!
That Coach purse is gorgeous. I couldn’t stop looking at it!
@dwj1 – Fab article. I love your fashion point of view!
@stef – I love Kelly Green. It is such a happy color!
@dwj1, great great post! I love your ideas of how to add that burst of color! Pretty excited that honeysuckle is the spring color!
I love the Honeysuckle, although it would be a fight for me to paint any room in the house this great, Barbie pink shade! I would love it as a pick me up and reminder of what spring looks like! (What does 70 degrees feel like again!?)
I am in love with the bright tights, but I ahve to run because I am off to try that Chanel lippy!
Great post!
Yes! I am definitely loving this color for spring. I do believe this color is also flattering with my skintone as well so that’s a plus :) Your cousin Amelia is totally rocking those tights! Love it!
That Chanel lippie wants to be mine…it told me so…
I love, love, love bright pink lipstick in a rich hue. This is what I do instead of red in spring and summer! That Chanel looks dreamy.
While I’m not a regular wearer of bright pink lip stick, I just got one from the Avon lady today that I love: Mark Lipclick in Coral Fixation. It’s more of a coral- toned pink and it’s not super bright, but it’s an adorable lip color for Spring.
http://shop.meetmark.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=39620&from=search&find_spec=lipslick&camp=201104&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1
I’m not a big fan of pink, but even I can’t resist it as a nice accent color for Spring :)