Color Trend Guide: Spring 2013

I am guilty of not watching every runway show as it happens. I usually catch up on them a few months later, I know, I am an awful fashion enthusiast. The other day I was looking at some of the Spring/Summer 2013 runway shows from last fall. I initially thought I was going to discuss the "big" trends, but I quickly realized there needed to be a whole trend report solely dedicated color. In 2012 we saw a lot of color variation throughout the year, but this spring, you will have way more than just Easter egg pastels to choose from! Below I have outlined 13 different color options that are already hitting retailers. (Image Sources: FabSugar)

First on the docket, are these lovely citrus inspired hues. This trend isn't quite a neon, but it's not quite a lime green or banana yellow either. Chartreuse is the technical name for this color, but I'm sure marketers and retailers will have a few other catchy names for it, thus Citron. This hue is one of my favorite colors because it is such a statement in and of itself, that you virtually do not need any other styling. This color will stand alone and make a very loud statement. Another great thing about this color is that it looks great on almost any skin tone. I know that sounds crazy, but as long as you have cool skin tones you can wear it. This color is especially flattering on African American women!

Black is another hot color this spring! Black is timeless and season-less, but normally it only fills the Fall/Winter runways. Black made a huge splash on the S/S runways and will be BIG in spring. So, don't pack away your LBD's just yet, keep them out and pair them with bright accessories for spring!

I feel like I have been talking about Cobalt blue for years. Cobalt was really big last summer and apparently will be staying with us through the duration of 2013. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining! I love trends that last longer than a few months, it's much better on my pocketbook! (Do people still say "pocketbook?" Uh oh I think I just channeled my grandma.)

We've all heard it, Emerald is the Pantone color of 2013... we get it! But, there are so many other hues of green happening right now too! It's one of the first times, that I can remember in recent history, that green is acceptable in any shade! Normally certain shades of green are off limits, but not this season. Think Kelly, Grass, Forest, Sea foam and Spearmint! And a little styling tip, black and white compliment green really well, see the Alice + Olivia styling above.

Now, lemon is different than the Citron trend above. We're talking bright banana in-your-face yellow! I am not much of a yellow gal myself, so sporting a head-to-toe yellow short suit will not be in the works. I will however consider a yellow tank or printed top, but that is probably it for me.

We just can't shake metallics, can we?!? This is another color trend I feel like I keep writing about. Like I said before about the Cobalt blue, it's great because you can recycle clothing from past seasons, but quite frankly, I'm a little bored with it. If you're going to incorporate metallics into your spring wardrobe, stick with rose golds or champagne tones. Don't go crazy with gun metal metallics, that will be too heavy for the season.

Nude and natural tones were big on the spring runways, which only means I need a tan. Nudes are hard to wear for most women, so unless you have perfect alabaster skin, or gorgeous sun kissed skin, you're going to look washed out. Instead of wearing true nude garments, you can play with light peaches, pinks and grays too!

We saw hints of olive green in the fall, but back then we were calling it Army green. No matter what name you give it, olive green is here to stay! I am pretty excited about this color and I like to pair it with hot pink! Do you remember my Color Combo post a few weeks ago? I like to use olive green as a neutral, and then you can pair it with bright spring colors to liven it up! If you wear Olive with dark hues it will read more fall, but if you add a chartreuse pump, it will make it more spring!

The dreaded orange. I am going to go out on a very unscientific limb and say that 90% of the population would never wear orange. It's just one of those colors that only a very small amount of people can wear. I don't even think I own anything orange. A way to ease yourself into this trend (if you want) is by wearing red-orange or coral. Both of those hues are variations of orange but without being in your face about it.

Pastels... the typical spring color palette. Yes, pastels will be a staple this spring, but not those Easter eggy ones. Think more refined hues instead of baby shower shades. I love the peach and sea foam hues featured above.

I have spent a lifetime hating pink and promoting others hatred of it... but I think it's finally getting to me. I have found myself being drawn to more and more pink garments as of late, and there's nothing I can do about it. I think it's best if I just surrender now. Damn Kate Spade and her fabulous collections are really corrupting my mind.

Rich purples are usually reserved for Fall, but Spring will have a healthy does of purple this year as well. I have to wonder if global warming is not only affecting the weather patterns, but the color patterns as well. It seems like colors that have been traditionally only worn in certain seasons are now becoming popular in other seasons as well. It's very odd, but I'm not exactly going to write Al Gore a letter about it.

Last but definitely not least, is white. White is an expected shade in the warmer months, but this season white is making a statement. There are floor length gowns, short and pant suits and a plethora of other garments being produced in the most purest of whites. I have been stocking up on white accessories lately, and I will be picking up some other white garments very soon!

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