1960s-inspired hues are this season’s revolutionary colors
Orange. It’s the color of optimism, joy, new horizons, and warmth. It’s also a key color for this summer, with at least six shades forecast as trending Pantone colors for 2019. The current popularity of this standout hue makes even more sense when you consider that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing—both of which sparked hope for the future and a general sense of pride and community.
Add to that the fact that orange also represents harvests, and you have a strong case for it being the perfect color to usher in autumn. Wondering where to start? Take style cues from Kendall Jenner’s tangerine tank dress, Bella Hadid’s turmeric-hued pants, or Beyoncé’s red-orange pleated gown. You can also channel the nostalgia of Woodstock’s peace, love, and flower power, or the futuristic vision of space exploration. Here’s how to translate those vibes into the now.
Free-spirited frame of mind
In August of 1969, an estimated 400,000 people converged upon Max Yasgur’s dairy farm not far from Woodstock, NY for a music festival billed as “3 Days of Peace & Music.” This iconic gathering went on to influence not only music, but also fashion trends for decades to come. You can pay homage to that moment in history with luxury designer looks that evoke feelings of bold idealism. Think psychedelic retro florals like those on Prada’s Summer ‘19 skirts, dresses, and shirts and Y/Project’s flowy wrap dress. They manage to make the combination of orange and black look high-fashion instead of Halloween-like. For more dramatic flair, look to fringed styles, like Alberta Ferretti’s fire-colored allover-fringe dresses and Etro’s paisley kimonos. They’re as appropriate for festivals as they are for fancier fetes.
Futuristic feels
Can you believe they put a man on the Moon—and it happened exactly fifty years ago this summer? Now, we’re looking into all types of space exploration. Also NASA’s space suits just happen to be orange. While you’re likely not aiming to look like an astronaut, you can tap into the forward-thinking vibe with a number of high-fashion options. Heron Preston’s intense orange pieces for both summer and fall 2019 would make the perfect wardrobe for Judy Jetson if she were a real person: form-fitting jersey knits, sport-inspired nylon joggers, and even accessories that nod to flight gear. There are also logoed-out pieces from Balenciaga, extra-voluminous pants by Eudon Choi and MRZ, and luxurious lurex-accented styles from Missoni that seem to wink toward fashion’s new horizons.
Bold accents
Some would rather add a bold pop of orange to black and neutrals than wear the color all over. Burberry’s retro-inspired logo shoes and bags are a refined take on ‘60s-inspired dressing. Meanwhile, for more casual options, consider Nike, Moschino, Off-White, and other designers’ future-inspired sneakers.
Pantone colors 2019: Get your orange on
Italist.com is your one-stop shop for orange inspirations and flower-power fashions at some of the best prices in the galaxy. And remember as you browse Italist’s extensive inventory of up-to-the-minute fashions and accessories, it’s ok to mix nostalgic inspiration with nods to the future in your looks. After all, the present is where the past and the future meet, right?
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By: Nafeesa Saboor
Nafeesa is the founder and editor of Shoes N Booze, a blog that pairs shoes with cocktails and provides shoe and cocktail-related tips, trend information and reviews. Her writing has also been published in The Source Magazine, xoJane, Sisters from AARP and other publications.