Forget black, Spring 2011 is all about popping colors. Among the hues featured most prominently on the runways were orange, white, and blue (mostly denim). These color options seem particularly shrewd from a designer perspective– how many of us own head-to-toe denim looks or have stockpiles of orange frocks in our walk-ins? Not many, I would venture to guess. That said, just because the hues may be unfamiliar to us, doesn’t mean we can’t make them work.
ORANGE
Orange is particularly bold, making it far from the easiest to pull off. With a variety of different takes on this particular shade (from mango to pumpkin to popping fluorescent), you can work with your complexion to select the best shade to complement your skin tone and personal style. Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, and Prada all worked in the color beautifully with dresses for full-on orange looks. Those who are looking for just a touch of orange can opt for an orange blazer from Gucci, a printed orange and white dress from Tory Burch, or a multi-colored, color-blocked look from Versus – with orange featured most prominently covering the breast area, of course.
WHITE
As for white, like Rachel Zoe dutifully noted, everyone looks good in white. Embrace your inner calm and shine in white– preferably via wide-leg trousers, another major Spring 2011 trend, like those from Stella McCartney. Check-out Jason Wu who mastered the look this season with a classic take on the trend or, opt for a cuffed short version of white pants like we saw at Band of Outsiders.
BLUE / DENIM
Lastly, love it or hate it, come Spring 2011, blue will be everywhere, via denim. Luxury jeans are not enough now that even designers like Stella McCartney, known for her loose silhouettes and flowing fabrics, are opting for denim. Luckily in the hands of design masters, denim can become slinky and take on an almost cotton-like appearance as we saw at Akris and Derek Lam. Work this trend into your look with a fitted dress or a fitted blue denim button down top and wide leg paper thin denim pants– and be sure to stay away from patchwork or overly busy silhouettes when opting for head-to-toe denim.
