With the new year comes many new great things! One being the new winter colour pallet that we’ll be seeing in every mall display till 2013. The colour of 2012 as created by the fashion conscious and executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, Leatrice Eiseman is titled, Tangerine Tango. Eiseman and her colour curious gurus define this reddish- orange combination as a “Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive [colour]; Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it.” It’s a curious thing giving a colour so much attention, but Tangerine Tango has already been seen in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer 2012 Runway Previews from Ellie Tahari to Charlotte Ronson. So, when it comes to what to watch out for this winter, here are some wonderful inspiration pieces that will have you feeling and seeing ORANGE.
1) Shoes: One can expect to see orange embellishes on day-to-day footwear. From a Tangerine toe, to a bit of a stripe- the punch of colour will really make you smile. Our inspiration pieces are a patent flat and a stripy runner, which allows you to really embrace the new year one step at a time. It’s as if you’re walking into 2012! Some may say orange shoes are not meant for everyday, ‘the colour is just too BIG’. Well, what I respond to that is that it’s not like the entire shoe is orange. For those who are a tad resilient to the new fad I say let the punch of colour speak for itself. I’d pair an orange embellished number with a more muted outfit- there should always be a “Power Piece” within your outfits and for one day just make it all about your shoes. It’s a new year so step out of the box wearing something orange.
Found at GEOX, Foot Locker, and Nine West
2) Jackets: When I think of winter jackets, the first thing to come to mind is a puffy Canada Goose, or a politically correct pea coat. I would like us to go one further and instead of the average winter jacket lets brighten up our wardrobes and the hazy winter days with a punch of tangerine goodness like our inspiration jacket. This is a very simple cotton, warm, and winter friendly find, which gives you no excuse to not try it out. The simple cut, collar, and cuffs are always in style which allows you to not only take it into 2013 but also use it as a statement piece when you decide to just throw on a sweater and pair of tights this winter.
Similar pieces found at The Bay, H&M, and Banana Republic
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/72344984@N00/1086422744/)
3) Nail Polish: Now, this is a very easy way to embrace the new year without breaking the bank or investing in a piece that you feel is not right for you, NAIL POLISH! I love changing up my nails any time I get the chance, and with so many tangerine, orange, and ruby-esk colours on those little nail polish shelves, you have no excuse. Also, the colour orange has been proven to make you happy because it is such a fun and ‘passionate’ colour. I love that your nails can be seen as confident, so if you do put yourself in the box of unexperimental and simply a GAP baby, I say try a punch of colour on your nails and get back to me. This little indulgence will have you smiling all the way to final exams, and the best part is it is easy on, easy off!
Found at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, American Apparel
4) Toppers: Orange you glad you wore that beautifully bright and vivacious top today?
Bad joke, but the substance is there. Wearing a orange top, whether it’s a sweater, tee, or simple shirt, not only makes you stand out, but adds a bit of a glow to your face. I like to think of it as getting the JLo glow, without having the JLo budget. Because this colour is so in demand, and that the easiest things for stores to sell are tops, you can now find a simply designed topper in your favorite materials. The go to fabric is cotton, but if you feel like treating yourself you can always go for a fuzzy comfy cashmere. Because the fabrics are died however, I do suggest you wash your items with like colours in cold water. It’ll keep your clothing fresh, and the colour as bright as when you first bought it.
Found at The Gap, Forever 21, and H&M
5) Purse & Cosmetic Bag Combos: YAY, the time has come to talk about every girl’s favorite part of fashion, the handbag. It doesn’t get any better than finding a great piece, than finding one in the must have colour of the season. Orange and tangerine go hand in hand with discovering a way to spice up the one thing every girl needs in order to survive. And, the best part about grabbing a new handbag is that you can’t really have just one anyways so, you have to invest in order to stay current. There are great pieces out there from a shoulder bag which is the most common handbag, to a satchel which I think is the perfect student purse because it keeps your hands free and stays out of the way. Also, like your nails and shoes, having a punch or even an embellishment of orange can really spruce up your outfit without being too forward. So, if you’re not a fan of colour or just the colour orange, this is a good way to test your theory because even if you’d never wear a orange sweater or jacket, with a hint of orange on your handbag it shows that you’re embracing the colour without letting it run your wardrobe. And, when beautiful leather is dyed orange, there is nothing better! Orange makes the best looking leather, so if you do find yourself searching for a new handbag, keep orange leather combinations in mind.
Found at H&M, Coach, Forever21, and Aldo Accessories
6) Technology: When it comes to the hottest new tech savvy accessories, I think first and foremost on how sleek and useful the item is. Orange and Tangerine Tango, has found its place even in Best Buy! The colour is so attractive and loud; why not match it with one of the coolest new gadgets out there? From cameras, to gadget cases, there is no way of ignoring this fad. And, if you want to add that punch of orange on your new cell case without literally buying a bright orange case- you can always get a skin printed out at your mall’s skin kiosk. As an example, I love that my laptop case has orange in it, but it’s not solely orange- showing that I’m embracing the colour while combining it with other colours I enjoy. What I mean to say is that you don’t have to be head over heals for orange, you just need to give it a chance. And, there is no better way of doing that then adding hints of it on your most prized possession- your cell!
Found at The Apple Store, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart
7) Citrus Cosmetics: There is nothing yummier than a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice, or is there? Yes, it does get better because nowadays you can wear the scent of your favorite passion fruit. Also, citrus scents released from fruits and perfumes come from esters evaporating in the air. I love that I can keep that scent on me for hours without ‘re- spritzing’ just because the esters of the citrus are a heavier scent; I like to think of them as sweeter though. From body washes, to hand creams, even to perfumes- the time is now to start smelling as good as you look. And, the scent of citrus and orange is a great indicator to the opposite sex that you’re interested and looking for companionship. The aromatherapy scent meaning of orange is love, companionship, and relationship- and seeing that Valentine’s Day is less than a month away I think it’s time to start ‘spritzing’.
Found at Wal-Mart, Fruits of Passion, and The Body Shop
8) Outerwear Accessories: It’s time to get your knitwear and cotton on! The best part of wearing luminous Tango Tangerine is that it makes you feel like summer, sun, and the beach. Wearing this colour around your face really brightens you up from your complexion to your attitude. The colour orange makes you feel alive because it’s an awakening colour, an example being the rising of the sun in the morning. Orange is all around us for a purpose, the colour means “action”, thus it inspires the body to act, move, and exercise. And, as Elle Wood would put it, “Exercising releases endorphins, and endorphins make you happy!” So, bundle up in you favorite new orange mitts, scarf, and hat on those chilly winter mornings, and it might put some pep in your step. There is nothing like a winter jog right?
Found at The Bay, H&M, and The Gap
9) Scents Make Sense: Yummy! Candles are not only a great way to brighten up a room, but they’re a great way to decorate without actually buying something that you’ll never use. The delicious scent of citrus engulfing your household will be something that I bet you’ll thank me for. The scent inspires happiness, activity, and that wonderful sense of sun, sand, beach! These little doohickeys are great little purchases that will make you feel sensationable in the long run, so why not try it out? You can find a great orange citrus scent in many forms: room sprays, oils, and candles, so you’ll definitely be able to find your perfect match.
Found at The Body Shop, Fruits of Passion, and The Bay
10) Jewelry: Bring on the fun and find yourself some great orange pieces that will have you swooning! The colour inspires the mind to take action, so when you wear it around a possible suitor he might well, take action! Think of this as a pre- Valentine’s Day experiment, so grab a few bangles, some glistening orange earrings, possible an orange pendent necklace and see if your crush can take the hint. Don’t be afraid to layer your orange pieces with other colours, blues are always complementary and would do the job because it’s fact that these two colours can’t not look good together. The thing with wearing a coloured jewelry though is that there is a right way and there is a wrong way. You can layer pieces together, but I like to wear coloured jewelry very simply and on its own. If you’re going to wear a charming orange pendant, make sure it’s your focus and commit to it being your focal point. You can wear some great coloured pieces together which is always lovely and makes you feel like summer is on its way. Be sure to complement your outfit with jewelry sets. Girls don’t do this enough, but when your pieces all match, the earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring, it shows your understanding of classic style. Mixing and matching is great, but when it comes to colour I think it’s loud enough to wear simple matching pieces to make a statement. And, if you are going to mix it up, don’t forget to also mix different textures and material because it’s a great way of adding dimension to an otherwise ‘flat’ ensemble.
Found at H&M, Forever21, Bitter Sweet, and Aldo Accessories
2012 is the year of the dragon, the year the world survived its end (apparently), and now the year you decided to embrace orange, or Tangerine Tango as the colour geniuses at the Pantone Colour Institute would put it. I say, embrace the warmth of orange, and do what you can to include it in your day-to-day ensembles, if anything it’s your way of hooking that crush of yours on time for Valentine’s Day.
xoxo,
Brittany Sammy
