by Kathy Deutsch

Created on: February 15, 2010

The new decade is here.  While we are moving into the future, we seem to be looking back to other times, simpler times.  Consumers are enjoying a return to the shops, but they are not looking for flash and forward.  The colors customers are reaching for are rooted in the past, and in the tones of nature.

Colors from the past are re-emerging, perhaps because they are tried and true.  As closets are being opened and old wardrobes are searched, the colors from the 1970's and 1980's are given a second glance.  Everything from the 1980's, including "highlighter" colors of fluorescent yellow, clear tangerine and hot lime, are being worn.  The trick is to wear the startling color with the "it" neutral-warm pale grey or brownish-beige. 

Let's focus on this new neutral-pale brown to beige grey.  Not plain beige, this new color has a wash of brown or yellow to warm it up a bit.  This makes it so much more flattering to all skin tones.  It is perfect for the warmer months because it is pale and reflects light, but is not stark.  For those who avoid white, this cools like white does, without the glare of white.  The companion color is a warm grey.  It is not blue-toned (the gray blues are actually trending more to blue than gray).  This grey has a brown or sandy base.  Again, an enormously flattering color for everyone.  It pairs well with everything except the blue-toned reds. Bluish reds are the color red roses-an easy reference.  Red rose red needs the warm brown beige as a neutral.

Red rose red is one of the nature colors that is coming on strong this year.  Everyone wants to go back to nature, even if just in their wardrobe.  All flower colors: including sunflower yellows, zinnia oranges, delphinium blues and violet purples are big.  The more muted lilac, bluebell, magnolia pink, and gentle sunshine yellow are strong color types, seen in tee shirts and prints.  The key to greens is "natural".  Any green found in nature will work.  Green, from piney blue-green to new-bud yellow-green is worn everywhere.

If there is one color that could be considered huge, it is aqua.  Blue-green, turquoise, teal, Pacific ocean, summer sky...blue.  This blue with a slight warm tone from yellow or green is the exciting color trend of the new decade.  One piece of clothing in this color will refresh the whole spring and summer wardrobe.  It does not need to be expensive, either.  Turquoise tee shirts are everywhere and they really do flatter the face.  They reflect a warm glow upwards.

Color trends do change with the seasons.  But this new decade seems to be more stable in color choices.  There is nothing radical, which is good news for those who are mining their closets for older clothing to refresh.  The 1980's colors are exciting and it takes just a touch of them in an outfit to look fresh.  Best of all, they probably are already in the closet, waiting to re-emerge.  The colors of nature are coming to the fore as well.  These colors look good an just about everyone and are eye-catching without being too bold.  Both trends need very little to make a whole outfit look new.  The color trends of 2010, which will hold through the decade, are about echoes of the past and reflections of nature. 

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