How to Wear Living Coral: the Pantone Color of the Year
A new year bring lots of changes and one is the color of the year. The color forecasters at Pantone study color trends in fashion, marketing, social media, and politics throughout the year then announce a color for the following year. Last year it was ultraviolet, this year it’s living coral, a pink-coral hue that is playful and lighthearted.
Pantone describes Living Coral as “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge”.
Some years the color is easily wearable by most people and many years it’s more of a challenge. One thing is certain – if we add it to our look we’ll appear current and modern. Living Coral has already gone down the runways at major fashion houses and will soon be trickling its way into our lives.
So how can you wear this playful shade?
Since living coral represents a nurturing color in nature, it’ll pair beautifully with aqua, blue and green. Picture coral jeans with an aqua tee. Teal and coral are complementary colors and look wonderful together.
White and coral are a fresh combo for spring just as coral and brown are perfect for colder weather. Imagine coral espadrilles with white jeans or a coral sweater with brown pants and booties.
There’s a coral shade that flatters most skin tones but if your complexion is very cool, opt for a pinkier version and wear it further from your face…it’s great as a pop of color in an accessory.
Coral comes in varying shades and you needn’t stick to the tone that Pantone designated so have fun with this color.
Will you be trying living coral this year?
Love it — bright, energetic, and fun! I’ll steer toward the pinker side if I can find it. I love your idea of accenting with teal. Teal/turquoise jewelry and accessories are easy to find in the summer, and would be a nice pop with white jeans, white tee, and a living coral cardigan/topper.
Lovely color! The items you located showing it off were wonderful. I will be looking for ways to include this in my wardrobe! Thank you for the tip-off !
Pretty colour. Unfortunately having “winter” colouring,it washes me out. I might wear it in a pattern that that is primarly designed with the colours that suit me.
I love this colour but can’t wear it. I use shades like this on patio accessories in spring and summer.
Great idea Janet!
Back in the 80s when off-white walls were a major thing, my older, wiser sister painted her dining room a warm pink-coral because she said it made guests feel good and look better. Once I got over the shock, it was my start to giving color its due. So if you can’t wear a certain shade, but love it anyway, add it to your home.
That sounds beautiful! Paint is so easy to change too.
I like coral, it goes add a bit of color to the face, somewhat like blush makeup does. I would agree that limits on what colors are available can be difficult sometimes. What if I need a winter coat, and black doesn’t suit my coloring?
Black is very pervasive in winter coats and can feel so dull to me during gray days.
I love coral; many of the examples given are the same color as my blush. However, I don’t often find the “color of the year” pervasive at retail level. In 2014, I was excited about the selection of radiant orchid, but could only find a too-small purse. There was no broad offering of tops, pants, skirts, dresses, cardigans, scarves, etc.
I felt the same way that year! It is a beautiful colour I couldn’t find. ????
I often have trouble finding the colors that have been chosen for the year. Stores buy based on their location and the shopping habits of its customers so there’s often more online.
Like it….will try to find a top, scarf, jewelry and lipstick to brighten me up! Just getting used to applying blush and bronzer correctly! Lol. Thank you! Love these shades!
I just can’t get the hang of bronzer so good for you!
I love coral but it must be “pinkier” than this!
I love to wear Coral. It’s flattering to my skin tone. I also love a Coral lipstick.
There should be new corals for you this year so stock up Lyn.
Yes! It’s one of my favorite colors to wear.
Having warm autumn skin tones and red hair, I’m really looking forward to coral! And no pink undertones for me! I love this color!
I can’t wear coral unless it is VERY pink, in other words not coral t all. I am a cool summer. Ultra violet worked for me but I know many people disliked it. I find it interesting that when a colour looks poor on you, you tend to not like the colour. Possible exception black, but that’s is a different soapbox!
I have never worn coral for the same reason, Catherine. If it’s very cool I can get away with it but there are so many other colors that are more flattering on me.
Coral IS the version of pink that best compliments my warm, autumn skin tone. I had a color analysis done a few years ago and started incorporating coral instead of my favorite, hot pink! What a difference it’s made in my wardrobe cohesiveness and the ease at which I put together my outfits! Right now, I wear coral with browns, camel and winter white! It sure does help chase the winter blues away to feel that I’m putting my best self forward!
Ugh!! I cannot wear this color at all! I am a winter, wearing bright primary colors in the purple, pink, blue shades, and lots of black and white. I just HATE IT when the fashion gods decide the predominant color of the season because then you see it everywhere in every store and I will not be able to escape it. Very very annoying when I cannot wear that color. Then next year it will be in all the discount stores because it was not a great seller.
I Agree!!! It is what is good for you not the current trend. It is ok for housewares and the like, but not clothes.
AG
I agree Amanda. We have to wear what flatters us and things we like.
LOL, Linda. I feel the same way the cool colors since I always prefer to wear something warm. (I really dislike anything purple!) Can’t please everybody, I guess.
Have no fear Linda, there will be plenty of your colors available because fashion brands recognize we all have different tastes. Wear what you love that makes you happy.
Super excited about living coral! And so many different combinations. Can’t wait to get shopping for this great color of 2019!
I might wear a hint of this color in a print scarf or bracelet but not tops, pants or shoes.
Love coral – every year!
I love this color and already have a piece or two in my closet. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I do like this color & will give it a try