Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Biscay Green, Saffron and Brilliant White

Today’s outfit revolves around three colors from the Pantone Spring 2020 New York Palette that are described as flavorful, cleansing and pristine. Saffron is a rich orangey yellow color, while Biscay Green leans towards a more soothing aqua. Both colors to me are perfect for summer and when paired with a bright white give a warm weather, party ready look.

When I saw Biscay Green on the palette, I knew that I had nearly nothing in my closet that was this pretty greenish blue, so I started keeping an eye out at my local thrift stores last fall for an item or two that would add this medium green to my closet. This oversized button-up caught my eye. It is a brand called Zylos, which appears to be a past men’s brand in dress shirts and ties. As I have mentioned before, I am liking the oversized button up shirts for a fun, casual way to dress up a pair of jeans or in this case a skirt. For this outfit, I tied the bottom of the shirt and buttoned two buttons.

The Saffron colored Apt. 9 tee, is another thrift find and I have used it on the blog before for another Pantone series. Last year a similar color was called Mango Mojito and I used this same tee to represent that color. You can see that post here. I thought the color was independent enough that I didn’t need the whole tee shirt to show. The bright pop of yellow orange stands out quite nicely with the peaceful green.

I’ve styled this skirt on the blog before. It is St. John’s Bay brand and I got it at JC Penney a few years ago. I was drawn to it for two reasons. The first was that it was white and it was lined. It is so hard to find white you can wear in the summer that doesn’t require a slip or some other underwear that won’t show. This skirt is completely lined. You can still see through it if you have on a dark pair of panties, like red, black or navy, but for the most part they won’t be noticeable. The other reason was the beautiful lace detailing. It is a very pretty piece and can be dressed up or down, depending if you are feeling classic or boho.

I have had this layered beaded necklace for a while. I really like it, but don’t think to wear it that much. When I saw how well it complimented this outfit I was excited to include it. So much of my jewelry I can’t even remember where or when I got it. Ha, ha. Maybe that’s because I have so much of it. I also included a navy beaded bracelet, which you will see in the next picture, to pair with the navy beads in the necklace.

I found this bag at another thrift store when my girls took me thrifting back on my birthday in January. Ahh, those were the days, when we could get together, go shopping and get lunch. Hopefully, those days will come again. I love the color and feel of this bag. It is a brand called Stone Mountain and is very well made. It has a long handle which can be adjusted, so you can either use it for a shoulder bag or a cross body bag.

My perforated peep toe shoeties are Sonoma brand and from Kohl’s. I need to paint my toes. I don’t wear sandals a lot because my feet are like my legs and covered with nasty looking varicose veins. Last fall I went to a vascular surgeon who did an ultra sound to see what could be done. Unfortunately, most of the veins in my legs are in the same bad condition, so having them worked on would provide some temporary relief, but over the course of time, they would develop the same issues. I am putting that off for now, but one day may revisit the idea.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Remember you don’t have to put the colors together as I do. I am simply trying to show you what the colors are for the Pantone seasons and ways you might combine them. Do you wear white in the summer? Do you have a white skirt or do you prefer to wear pants, capris or shorts? I’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment or two.

Graphic designed by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day and be safe as the world begins to open back up!

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Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Sunlight, Flame Scarlet and Ash

There are so many ways to combine these colors. I have had a few of you make comments about which colors you like and love to combine. Susan told me she loves today’s pale yellow, Sunlight, combined with Tuesday’s medium pale blue, Faded Denim. What a great combination. I had Karen tell me she usually veers towards the Classic colors, but suddenly realized she had a few new outfits in her closet when she saw last Thursday’s combination of Classic Blue and Chive. I would love to spend most of my blog time just talking about color combinations, because the more I do these Pantone series, the more I realize how many more beautiful combinations there are. However, I know there are other fashion topics to talk about, so I’ll keep the color talks to the Pantone series and my monthly Color Play posts, which will be back soon. Thank you, all of my beautiful subscribers, for your input and support.

Today’s color combination may not have been your first choice. When we think of combining yellow and red my mind immediately goes to McDonald’s. Anyone else have that reaction? Yellow and red seem almost clownish together, but you may change your mind when you see how a pale faded yellow pairs with a stark red. I like it. Let me know what you think.

This thrifted Christopher and Banks corduroy jacket was the perfect Sunlight color. This jacket is soft, flexible, and great for those in between days when it is still cool.

Another thrift find, this Nautica 3/4 sleeve tee is a great spring and summer staple. Not only does it have the bright Flame Scarlet and white stripes, but it bears the nautical sign of the anchor. It makes me think of the anchor of the Lord, that moors my boat in this ever stormy sea called life.

These Ash gray jeans are another thrift find, and are Gloria Vanderbilt. I used to wear Gloria’s jeans all the time, then got away from them. This pair is soft and have just enough stretch to make them so comfortable to wear. I think the length of these is great for summer. How do you like to wear your pant length in the warmer months?

I kept the jewelry minimal and threw on this opera length string of large beads. Doubling it, gives it a fun layered look.

I chose this simple thrifted Jaclyn Smith top handle bag to keep the look light and fresh. This also comes with a longer strap so it can be converted into a crossbody bag. You can see how I styled this bag with white jeans, Bermuda shorts and high waisted jeans.

My Dana Buchman tweed loafers are making another appearance. Loafers are a great shoe for this in between time, before you really want to go out in sandals.

What do you think of this color combination? Have I changed your view on wearing red and yellow together? It would not be my first choice of colors to combine, but I am glad I did it for this series. It helps me to think outside my box. As always I love to hear you thoughts.

Graphic created by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links which mimic this look. These are affiliate links and all opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Classic Blue, Chive and Navy Blazer

As usual, the names for the Pantone colors always amuse me. Classic Blue is pretty normal. Obviously, Chive makes me think of green onions and as you will see, the color is a pretty dark green. Navy Blazer is one of the classic colors and is your typical navy staple, which many of us have a piece or two in our closets. Since Classic Blue is the color of the year, I decided to start with it. The idea to combine it with Chive was a natural progression when I pulled out this thrifted summer midi dress.

This outfit centers around this thrifted OliviaRose dress that I got numerous years ago. Its pretty floral print combines blue, white and green a black background. I didn’t even have to think when I pulled this out of my closet. Classic Blue and Chive were the perfect pairing. An outfit like this really can be worn year round.

This bright blue scarf was gifted to me for Christmas and I used it to introduce the Pantone Color of the Year back in January. You can see that post here.

My faux suede blazer has a little more of a blue undertone than the Chive color, but I thought it was pretty close. This thrifted ISB Inc. blazer is meant to have a double breasted appearance when buttoned, but my figure right now will not allow for that. However, I think it looks just as nice left open since there are buttons on both sides.

You can see in the next picture how nicely the blazer fits through the back. I like that it is more fitted, rather than boxy. I was also trying something different with my hair.

This thrifted Simply Vera/Vera Wang bag has made multiple appearances on the blog as has my thrifted Relativity loafer heels.

I also added my sparkly Classic Blue bracelet, which was also a Christmas gift.

If you are not into wearing bold, bright colors, then these colors would be the perfect choice for you. You could easily make this pairing more summery by adding a white skirt or crop pants instead of the darker print dress. You could also wear head to toe white with a Chive colored blazer or sweater and just a few pops of Classic Blue jewelry. There are so many options, so never say never to any color.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Is this the sort of outfit you would wear? If not, what kind of outfit would you put together? I would love to hear back from you. Things are a little lonely around here. Ha, ha. I am sure you all can relate. We really need the world to get back to something more normal, even if it is not perfect.

I hope you enjoyed this post everyone. Until next time. Stay safe and healthy.

Graphic by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links just for something to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 - Intro: The New York Palette

Here we are again, looking at the Spring/Summer color palette for 2020. The Pantone Color Institute puts out two color palettes twice a year; the New York palette and the London palette. The palettes for Spring/Summer come out in the fall of the year before. The Fall/Winter palettes comes out around January. They are thinking much further ahead than I am. I am just gearing up to talk about the Spring/Summer palette and the fashion industry already has their color choices and styles made up for the fall and winter. It is very hard to keep up, so I don’t even try. I try to show you the seasonal trends, as those are more time focused. Colors, in my opinion are not restricted by times or seasons, although, I am one to pull out my lighter colors for spring and summer and my darker colors for fall and winter.

This Spring/Summer palette is full of colors that just about anyone can be pleased with. If you are a pastel kind of gal you will love the lighter shades of pale Sunlight, Coral Pink and Faded Denim. If you enjoy bright and bold, you’ll want to reach for Flame Scarlet, Saffron and Orange Peel. Maybe you enjoy tones that are more earthy, then you will like Chive, Classic Blue and Cinnamon Stick. Looking for color inspiration for resort wear, then take a peek at Grape Compote, Mosaic Blue and Biscay Green. In addition the Institute always includes a classic color palette if you prefer the main part of your outfit to be more neutral and conservative. This year those colors include a deep tan, called Lark, and a dark blue called Navy Blazer. Bright White and Ash are also classic options on the New York palette.

A good way to combine these colors is to take a navy blazer, a gray skirt and then add a bright pop of color like Orange Peel or Saffron in a blouse, jewelry or a bag. If you don’t normally like a bold approach to your wardrobe, this is a great way to still stay in your comfort zone, but add color in small bursts.

The way I will be pairing these, as usual is taking two of the colors and adding a pinch of a classic color to keep things from getting to outrageous. Just so you have a teaser as to what is coming up, here are a few pictures of my color combos.

Classic Blue and Chive

Faded Denim and Orange Peel

Sunlight and Flame Scarlet

Saffron and Biscay Green

Coral Pink and Mosaic Blue

Grape Compote and Cinnamon Stick

I’ll talk more about these colors and how I decided to put the outfits together when I post each of these outfits over the next couple of weeks.

Be sure to come back on Thursday to see the first outfit in the Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 New York palette.

Have a great day!

Graphic provided by Rebecca Trumbull.



Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2019 - Orange Tiger and Eden

I mentioned in Tuesday’s post on Sugar Almond and Dark Cheddar, that not everyone can or wants to wear orange. I love orange, but it has to be the right shade for me to wear it near my face. Some oranges make me look sallow or washed out. Today’s colors are bold and what caused me to put these two colors together, was the contrast of dark with light, deep with bright. Today’s colors are a “fearless” Tiger Orange, and a rich “stately forest green” called Eden. I think Pantone’s description of these colors is perfect.

These two colors are the first in this series that I felt truly matched with the Pantone colors. I looked for a while in thrift stores for the perfect green and I really think this dark cardi nailed it. the sweater is Jaclyn Smith brand.

These bright orange pants are Worthington brand and I got them at JC Penney a number of years ago. These are more of a skinny leg trouser than a wide leg trouser. I got them for the bright color and do find occasions in the spring, summer and fall to wear them. You can see how I styled these with a floral tunic here.

This cream colored tank top is a thrifted Loft piece. I actually have two of them, found on different occasions, but the exact same style. This one is a large and has a sheen to it, that you can’t really see in the picture. The other one I have is a medium and is more of a true white. Why do I need two of these? Comfort and ease of wear. They work perfectly for something like this, but I will also be able to use them as a light weight under layer when the temps grow cold. The piece is banded on the bottom, making for a great fit without showing off the bulges. Here are a few to look at.

The scarf I added was another thrifted piece. I don’t have many pieces that are cream or ivory, like this. I am also looking for a cream fisherman sweater and/or turtleneck. I don’t need anything, because I am a clothes horse, but every now and then, I do realize I am lacking something I would love to incorporate into my closet. What about you? What pieces have you been hoping to add to your closet?

In addition to the scarf I wanted to add a long charm pendant necklace to break up the plain back drop of the tank. I think this outfit would have been equally good with a printed tank under the sweater.

My other accessories included my Vera Bradley tote bag and my thrifted Mossimo sneakers.

What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear a pair of bright orange pants like this? What is the brightest color you have ever worn in pants or a skirt? I’d love to hear you thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2019 - Sugar Almond and Dark Cheddar

Today’s colors, in my opinion are the epitome of fall. The browns and oranges remind me of pumpkins and firewood stacked as it waits to be used. Red’s and yellows are other bright colors associated with this season and we will be seeing more of those in the London color palette, which will be coming up shortly. Let’s take a closer look at Sugar Almond and Dark Cheddar.

This thrifted, Sonoma, chevron print, dress caught my eye a few months ago and I knew it would be perfect for fall. Originally, I was going to used the waterfall cardi for the Sugar Almond color, but I actually think the colors in the dress are more suited to both of these Pantone colors.

Since I don’t normally wear dresses this short, I thought it would be fun to pair it with cropped pants. This pair of St. John’s Bay, creamy colored pants were another thrift store find. I almost didn’t get them, because I thought they were a little tight, but then, what isn’t on me right now. Ha, ha. However, I ‘m glad I put them in my cart. I think they make a cute addition to this dress. I want to try them with boots, when the weather gets colder. I might even try this dress with a chunky sweater, tights or leggings and boots. If I have success with that, I’ll post pictures either on Instagram, or I’ll do a post about it.

You can see in the above picture, the dress has a partial button front and an elastic waist. Wearing a belt with this would be another fashion forward idea, but I wanted an uninterrupted look from collar to hem, especially since I chose to wear this with cropped pants.

Let’s take just a moment to talk about the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a photography guideline that suggests mentally dividing your picture into thirds, horizontally and vertically. You then place the image you wish to photograph at the intersection of two lines. This can make for a more interesting picture, that draws the eye to the image.

Fashion also has a rule of thirds. The body is divided into thirds: head to waist, waist to knees and knees to feet. This is an approximation and as we all know, some people have longer necks, shorter torsos and longer legs, so each individual will be a little different. This rule is good to be aware of when putting together an outfit.

If you look at the above picture, the dress would be considered in the first two thirds of my body and the crop pants and shoes in the last third. Take a look at this article to learn more about the rule of thirds in fashion, and why it helps to keep it in mind when you dress. Dressing Your Best: Rule of Thirds.

This Pink Rose, waterfall cardi is another thrift find. I love the open weave, and as you can see, it also has the chevron pattern on it. I did not plan that. Ha, ha. I just thought the color went perfectly with the colors in the dress. This is a great piece for these fall days that are still warm.

For accessories, I went with a coppery bag and my thrifted Naturalizer shooties. I also added the pendant bead necklace as a way to bring out the cream in the dress and tie in the pants. Accessories are the best way to pull an entire outfit together and make it look finished.

What do you think of these colors? Do you wear orange? Orange is often an intimidating color to wear, but there are so many different shades and tones that there is probably one out there you could wear. Would you wear crop pants with a dress like this? Let me know your thoughts. I love to hear from you.

Be sure to check back Thursday for two more Pantone colors.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look at. These are affiliate links. Any time you click on a link, I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my links, I get a a small commission. I appreciate all your support and all opinions are my own.

Have a great week.

Pantone Fall 2018 - Red Pear, Nebulas Blue and Sargasso Sea

Last week, I introduced you to this fall’s Pantone color palette. Now that I am just getting started with my series, I noticed their website already has the color palettes up for Spring 2019. I understand that in the fashion and interior design industries they always need to be one step ahead, or all of a sudden things have gone out of trend and disappeared. That reminds me of a verse from the book of Ecclesiastes which was written by King Solomon.

“That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.”

— Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NASB)

Even a man as wise as Solomon, knew there was nothing new under the sun. Look at the movies and books that are currently out. It is pretty much the same story, just written with different characters and a different setting. Heck, how many times have they revisited Spider Man and Predator? Ha, ha. That being said, the color palettes that come out are really nothing new. They call them by different names, make one a little more blue based or yellow based and say they are fresh and new.

However, I do enjoy color and I like to create outfits using color in combinations that may be new or different, at least for me. Following the color palettes that Pantone puts out each season allows me to do just that.

Here are the first of this fall’s palette.

Red Pear and Nebulas Blue are on both the London and New York palettes. Sargasso Sea is one of the classic colors or what I like to refer to as a grounding color. Red Pear borders on a maroon and my pants are really too red, while my version of Nebulas Blue appears spot on. Sargasso Sea is navy by any other name, but even there you can see all the different shades of navy. My Ralph Lauren thrifted blazer is almost too blue, while Sargasso Sea seems to have more gray in it. I think my loafer heels and bag are a little bit closer to the Pantone color.

I added this colorful bandana for a scarf as a way to bring together the red and blue and add a pop of yellow.

The blazer, shoes and bag were all thrifted. The bag is Simply Vera Wang; the blazer is Ralph Lauren and the loafer heels are Relativity. Everything you see in this outfit with the exception of the scarf I have styled on the blog before. It just goes to show that our closets are a great place to look for new color combinations and outfits.

What do you think of these colors? Do you think these colors represent the fall season? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I have received a few messages that people are having problems commenting on my blog posts. If you an issue, please let me know. I contacted the help team for the platform that I use when I had a problem in the past and they said they couldn’t see any problem on their end. If you have an issue, please shoot me an email, so I can see how widespread the problem is.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on it. All opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring 2018 - Introduction to the New York and London Palettes

This spring, the Pantone palette is full of pastels. Both the New York and the London palette have a number of overlapping colors that instantly say spring. I am excited about introducing this series to you and even though the colors have been on the Pantone website since last fall, I feel that the end of February and beginning of March are the perfect times to introduce spring colors. 

I'll confess, up until a few days ago, I couldn't even think about spring. As much as I want it to be here, I know there are still cold days ahead. However, with a forecast of temps in the forties and fifties, I think I can finally blog about spring, knowing that it will soon be here in all of its splendor.

The above graphic as well as the photos in this post are done by Rebecca Trumbull. Rebecca, not only takes amazing photos of all varieties from pets, to weddings, to seniors, to models, she also dabbles with managing social media accounts. If you need someone to manage your social media Rebecca might be a good choice. She is organized, has strong business savy and knows her way around the internet. (She didn't ask me, or pay me to advertise, I get something better, she's my daughter!)

As you can see by comparing the two palettes there are seven overlapping colors that appear on both palettes. These are :

Cherry Tomato - an orangey red described as "...impulsive....demanding attention...courageous..."

Blooming Dahlia - a peachy salmon.."subtly alluring...with understated appeal."

Meadowlark - a pretty yellow, described by Pantone as "glistening with joy and illuminating the world around us."

Pink Lavendar - lavender with a little more pink and a little less blue. Described as, "..soft and romantic...that charms with its soothing sense of quiescence."

Ultra Violet - Medium purple with a "complex and magical" hue. This is Pantone's choice for Color of the Year. 

Almost Mauve - this ultra light blush is perfect for using as a neutral and pairing with any other color. 

Lime Punch - appropriately named, this color makes me think of citrus fruit and warm sunny days. 

In addition to these duplicate colors each palette has five other colors:

New York Palette

Little Boy Blue - the color of sunny skies and a feeling of "expansiveness". 

Chili Oil - think spicy for this deep reddish brown. 

Arcadia - a green with blue undertones, reminiscent of tropical waters.

Emperador - a rich chocolate brown.

Spring Crocus - described as a "...witty and flamboyant...fuchsia shade...."

London Palette

Palace Blue - not quite royal, but "...sparkling with energy...."

Ash Rose - a more earthy darker pink.

Nile Green - reminiscent of sage and honeydew melons.

Spiced Apple - similar to Chili Oil, but with a deeper brown.

Rapture Rose - a pinky red "...that brings flirtatious charm to the Spring 2018 palette."

In addition to each palettes' twelve colors, this year they added four Classic Colors which can be used with any palette choice for a foundation from which to build an outfit. These are the same for both New York and London and are:

Sailor Blue - dark navy.

Harbor Mist - light to medium gray.

Warm Sand - tan with more yellow tones.

Coconut Milk - white to off white. 

The following photos are some sneak peaks at my series that will start next week, where I will feature outfits using two or three of the palette colors as well as a classic color. 

I hope you'll join me next week as I begin my Pantone Spring 2018 series. Check back on Thursday for my Old Becomes New column. 

Have a great day. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee in The Spread the Kindness link up and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.