With the new year comes new fashion trends along with a new color of the year. We are really excited about the announcement of Pantones “Color of the Year-2014”, Radiant Orchid. Say goodbye to Emerald, 2013 color of the year, as there is a new jewel tone in town. This “bold and expressive color”, according to Pantone, is not only easy to wear, but is stunning against most skin tones.
Here is what Pantone had to say about Radiant Orchid Color of 2014:
“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”
We have 6 ideas and inspirations on how to incorporate Radiant Orchid into your closet, read on to find out.
Makeup:
The easiest way to try this captivating color is by adding it to your makeup bag. It is a great way to test out the color and see how you like it, without too much commitment, and a way to slowly work this beautiful shade into your closet if you are a little apprehensive about wearing brighter hues.
You may have already tried this color out on your toes and hands, but we absolutely love how this color is so versatile and will give your hands and feet a bit of pizzazz. Next time you’re at the nail salon or are planning an at home manicure, try these non-toxic formulations and colors:
Maybe you’re not into wearing a ton of makeup, or you love red lipstick? (Make sure to check out: Tips on how to wear red lipstick or other darker hues). Why not switch it up and try one in the shade of the year? This bold color is pretty for both summer and winter, and looks amazing with lighter skin tones and darker ones. Additionally, it will give you a quick pick me up without too much effort.
If you’re planning on wearing a brighter shade such as this one or red, make sure you play down the rest of your makeup. Mascara and a little bit of liner for night time will do the trick. For cheeks, choose one that is more muted so it doesn’t compete with your lips, but will give your cheeks some definition.
You might be intimidated with the hue at first, but purple is an amazing eyeshadow color for brown and green eyes. It will give the eyes a nice pop and we are sure you’ll be addicted to it. For an easy way to wear this shade on your eyes, apply the lighter shade on your eye lids and use the darker one for lining, either the top or bottom lash line. Complete with mascara and you are good to go.
Tip: We suggest not to pair it with one of the lipsticks above as it might be quite dramatic, we prefer to focus on one area of the face, either the eyes or the lips.
We think the best way to wear this color is to pair it with neutral colors such as: nude, camel, black, white, gray etc. Avoid pairing this shade with brighter bolder colors as you will lose the focus. Also, try to avoid wearing this shade with warmer tones such as red, orange etc. to prevent being too overwhelmed with color.
For casual days, pair an orchid sweater with boyfriend jeans, sneakers and a scarf in an animal print for fun. If you want to dress up the look a bit, combine it with camel colored pumps and a wide brim hat.
For a business casual look, or a “safer” way to wear this shade, find a pair of pants in radiant orchid. It will not reflect onto your face and you might not even know you’re wearing it. Again, we have paired it with a nude colored sweater, and for fun, we have chosen one with black dots. Keep your shoes to a neutral palette as well; you can wear this look with black flats or nude ones, or for a dressier version swap your flats for the pumps above. Add some accessories to finish off the look, such as a watch with this year’s color as the face is a nice subtle compliment.
A shift dress is a nice look for most. You can even wear it with jeggings or tights. We have kept this look pretty simple and it can be worn out with friends, a casual date night or even the office depending on your workplace setting. For a fun look choose pumps in a print or wear it with flats. Keep the accessories to a minimum.
For a formal event this dress from Shabby Apple is a great addition to any closet. The look is classic, yet chic. Wear it with black pumps and an envelope clutch to keep the look on the dress and it’s details.
If after all this you are still not ready to wear this color, but would like to add it to your wardrobe, try an accessory in Radiant Orchid. It’s an easy way to play up your outfit. Keep your outfit colors to neutrals so that you are not clashing or using too much color. Try a scarf or a necklace or a bold clutch.
We hope that these ideas have given you some inspiration on how to wear 2014’s Color of the Year and you will be inspired to add it to your closet.
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Photo source: Pantone.com
