By Gretta Monahan
Every year, the hue gurus at Pantone choose a color of the year. This year they’ve one-upped themselves by choosing not one color, but two: “rose quartz” (a delicate pink blush) and “Serenity” (a cool light blue).
Both are a far softer, gentler take on color than usual. Why the turn in that direction? Rose quartz, explains Pantone, is a tone that “conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.”
Whether they’re thinking about the stresses of balancing our work/personal lives, the difficulty of juggling budgets, the frustration implicit in this year’s election politics, or all of the above, there’s no doubt we can all use a little more mindfulness, relaxation, and well-being in our lives.
But the question is, how to incorporate two such unusual (and arguably opposing) colors into our everyday lives? Pantone’s answer is that the two colors may be a departure, but they don’t necessarily have to be opposing. The combination of the two, they say, “challenges traditional perceptions of color association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion… This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity.”
That all sounds great in theory, but when it comes to outfits, mixing the two tones is much easier if you don’t go on the hunt for wardrobe pieces that actually have both colors in them, but instead go for solid-color versions of each, and use them as a punctuation mark to each outfit.
For example: a rose quartz, lace dress is a great match with a serenity blue clutch or heels. I love how delicate the blue is, contrasted by the equally soothing pink. I also find that feminine colors like these look best when they’re given a definite shape, so I go for well-cut skirts in either color, and punch them up with a neutral blazer (black or white, preferably). That means the overall effect is still pretty and fairly ethereal, but no one will wind up resembling a pastel Easter egg.
