Color of the Year: Marsala

Every year the Pantone Color Institute selects a color they dub “color of the year.” Pantone is a company that creates tools for fashion, interior, and textile designers to ensure color accuracy and vibrance. And every year, Pantone never fails to start a color trend. This 2015, Pantone has named Marsala as the hot and trendy hue that is sure to take the world by storm.

Adaptable to both men’s and women’s fashion as well as home styling, the rich color of Marsala is just as warm and robust as the wine it derives its name from. Style wise, Marsala provides us fashionistas with so many opportunities for styling this hue all year round. Although the color is very reminiscent of fall, Marsala can be worn all year round. I am personally so in love with this earthy and sophisticated red-brown hue.

Here I give you some styling inspiration as well as some tips and tricks so that you can easily get in on this color trend too! Take a look at my picks and fashion ideas below.

Glamorize Marsala with hints of gold and leopard print. Both gold and marsala are warm hues that are sure to work well together. A Marsala feathered skirt is a worthy addition to your evening wear rotation, and a welcome change from your typical cocktail wear.

Sometimes, all you need is one trendy accessory to turn things around and elevate your look. A Marsala hued wide brim hat is a great way to cover your head and stay warm from fall to winter, and it’ll easily complement your cozy plaid flannels and cozy sweaters. The best part is that you can take this Marsala accessory toward summer dressing as well. It is a great topper for those breezy maxi dresses. 

Don’t shy away from donning Marsala from head-to-toe, the understated elegance and warm saturation of this hue is flattering to most skin colors and isn’t too loud or overpowering to be worn as a monochromatic look. Insert some leather and exotic animal skin into your look for some dramatic and fashion forward texture play. 

 

Midi skirt plus Marsala equals a trendy combo that your closet will die to have. A pleated midi in Marsala can be worn with a variety of pieces, you can wear it with a crop top for more casual occasions or you can opt for more polish as shown in this look. The striped oxford shirt and pearls add a classic twist to the Marsala piece.

Marsala when done in tailored and structured shapes is so attention grabbing. Add an oversized belt that’s very current, and you’ve got a contender on your hands. For serious street style chops, Marsala is the way to go as it shows your trend savvy and fashion knowledge. 

Casual days get a trendy update when you throw in a relaxed fit Marsala button-down into the mix. This rich hue pairs amazingly well with jeans, and again looks so stunning when worn with animal print and your favorite gold bling.

An athletic spin on Marsala is a styling idea that you should look into. The juxtaposition of the sporty platform slip-ons with the mystery and femininity of Marsala is pure perfection. A leather cross body satchel and sunnies definitely add that downtown cool vibe to this look. 

Adding some Marsala to your office look is a great way to insert color into your everyday work wear without looking inappropriate or out of place in the board room. Marsala is a subtle and warm shade of red-brown that can pair well with your blue office separates and tailored blazers. Try a Marsala tailored pant for a standout stylish office look. 

When in doubt, pair it with black and white. Outerwear has been a fashionista staple for many seasons now. Most street style stars make a sartorial statement through their topper of choice, make yours count with a Marsala trench coat. It’s a classic silhouette that is given a modern spin by this trendy color. This coat will go well with most fall hues, but black and white just gives it that edgy graphic feel. Taylor Swift has been nailing the street style game as of late, and this on point outfit is no exception. She basically affirms the chicness and wearability of Marsala in this papparazzi perfect street style look. The green check scarf and her khaki-colored peacoat look like they were made to go with her Marsala hued denims.

So which Marsala look caught your eye? I am looking forward to some Marsala-hued shopping this weekend!

 

Animal Instinct

There’s a saying that a leopard can’t change its spots. Well, why would it want to? Leopard prints are timeless, elegant, and oh-so-chic. Getting spotted (pun intended) in this modern classic print is the surest way to establish yourself as an in-the-know stylista. If you’re a little print shy, leopard print is a great way to dip your toe into the prints game. Prints are so now, and sporting this sexy and attention-grabbing animal print is such an easy way to look put together and sophisticated. Leopard prints instantly liven up your classic and plain pieces and transport your look from casual to paparazzi-worthy.

I chose to don this updated take on the leopard print on a beautiful, sunny day. An easy and comfortable leopard print pencil skirt allowed me to instantly up the wow factor of my staple layered tank tops. It’s simply amazing how this leopard print can upgrade your chicness right away!

Don’t forget to accessorize ladies! But keep in mind that accessorizing doesn’t always mean piling on the bling and stacking those bangles. Sometimes all you need is a stunning pair of sunglasses (I’m in love with the vintage feel of this pair!), and a casual yet chic pair of sandals that will take you through the day in style.

Layering a gray tank over a black one is a clever styling trick that adds more dimension to your overall look. The layering also picks up on the gray and black colors in the print of the skirt.

Amp up your look even further with a red lip, just like I did. The boldness and sexiness of the red lip totally plays into the sophistication of the leopard print. Va-va-va-voom!

It is astounding how many styling possibilities exist within a single item of clothing. This leopard print skirt is surely a great addition to my style rotation that I am sure to wear again. Leopard print also lends a luxury feel to even the most casual of looks. I love how this print can go om day to night, casual to dressy.

What are your favorite styling ideas for leopard print?

Have a great week ladies!