Exploring the Soft Serenity: Dive into the Spring 2024 Palette Featuring Glacial Blues, Charcoal Grays, and Vibrant Apricot Crushes for a Season of Timeless Sophistication.
The spring 2024, colour trend forecasters have been hard at work, analyzing the runways and scouring the streets to uncover the season’s most captivating color trends. Urangoo Samba, the Head of Color at WGSN, has shared her expert insights, painting a vivid picture of the hues poised to dominate the style landscape in the year ahead.
Bidding Farewell to Barbiecore: The Rise of Muted Pastels and Neutrals
The spring 2024 color palette represents a noticeable departure from the recent Barbiecore craze, which had the fashion world awash in bold, vibrant pinks. Instead, Samba reveals that the coming season will be defined by a more subdued, lightly saturated approach, with muted pastels and neutral tones taking center stage.
“We found that pastels—such as lilac, butter yellow, and glacial blue—led [spring 2024’s] color levels to replace dopamine brights,” Samba explains, citing the comprehensive data gathered through WGSN’s color analysis tools. This shift towards softer, more wearable hues suggests a desire for a sense of calm and comfort in uncertain times, with shoppers gravitating towards shades that evoke a sense of nostalgic optimism.
Glacial Blue: The Chic Nautical Trend
One of the standout color trends for spring 2024 is the prevalence of soft, icy blues, as seen across the runways of Eckhaus Latta, Fendi, Dries Van Noten, and Bottega Veneta. Caroline Maguire, the Fashion Director at Shopbop, predicts that this “classic nautical” palette will be a major player in the coming season.
“From the runway to street style, you’ll be seeing shades of light blue making a splash this spring,” Maguire shares, highlighting the versatility of the powdered blue hues. “Think classic nautical stripes, chic baby blue suits, and even tie-dye for a more bohemian vibe.”
Samba expands on the appeal of these powdered blues, noting their “gender-inclusive and trans-seasonal” qualities, as well as their ability to evoke a sense of “soft optimism in times of uncertainty and desire for comfort through nostalgia.”
Charcoal Gray: The Dynamic Neutral
While gray has often been dismissed as a dull and boring color, spring 2024 is set to change that perception. Designers such as Ferragamo, Prada, Blumarine, Bottega Veneta, and Altuzarra have showcased the dynamic appeal of cloudy grays, presenting them in sharp, sophisticated silhouettes.
“Fashion hasn’t always been kind to gray,” the article notes, “but spring 2024 comes to the color’s defense, presenting it as sharp and more dynamic than one might think.” From Brandon Maxwell’s billowing ball gown skirts to Prada’s striped suits and Ferragamo’s heathered minidresses, the versatile neutral is poised to make a strong statement in the coming season.
Apricot Crush: A Refreshing Pop of Color
For those seeking a more vibrant alternative to the muted pastels, Samba highlights the trend of “Apricot Crush,” a refreshing, energetic, and rejuvenating orange shade that she describes as “extremely wearable.”
“With its high saturation and mid-lightness, the orange has an extremely wearable quality,” Samba explains, suggesting that a pair of slingback heels or linen pants in this fruity hue can bring a much-needed pop of color to any ensemble.
The article notes that the Apricot Crush trend has been embraced by designers such as Erdem, Fendi, Emilia Wickstead, and Marni, appearing in everything from delicate lace details and sensual satins to more relaxed silhouettes like Loewe’s sherbert-hued cardigan and Marni’s kitten-heeled boots.
Butter Yellow: Sunshine-Inspired Hues
Another standout color trend for spring 2024 is the prevalence of soft, buttery yellow tones, which Maguire describes as a “great way to bring sunshine into your wardrobe.”
The article highlights how designers like Altuzarra, Bottega Veneta, Loewe, and Jacquemus have embraced this cheerful hue, showcasing everything from light, creamy yellow top coats and midi dresses to relaxed, three-piece suiting. Even brands like Ulla Johnson and 3.1 Philip Lim have incorporated the sunny shade into their spring collections, with lacy slip dresses and pleated linen pants.
“Yellow is practically synonymous with spring, matching the tulips, daffodils, and forsythia bushes that sprout at the advent of the season,” the article observes, underscoring the inherent optimism and freshness that this color evokes.
Stark White: A Timeless Spring Staple
No spring color palette would be complete without the inclusion of crisp, bright white, and spring 2024 is no exception. The article highlights how designers such as Altuzarra, Courrèges, and Carolina Herrera have showcased the enduring appeal of this timeless hue.
“Bright white is a perennial classic in the warm-weather months, and spring 2024 give the crisp tone its due,” the article states, pointing to Carolina Herrera’s starched button-down shirts and day dresses, Gucci and Courrèges’ flirty white minis, and FFORME’s breezy monochrome separates.
But the versatility of white extends beyond standalone pieces, as the article notes that it can also serve as a complementary styling accent. “Picture this: an all-black outfit instantly elevated with a sharp white blazer or sleek black trousers paired with a crisp white button-down, seamlessly taking you from office hours to cocktail hour,” Maguire suggests.
Pale Lilac: The Soft and Subtle Pastel
Rounding out the spring 2024 color trends is the prevalence of muted, pastel-like lavender tones, as seen on the runways of Molly Goddard, Nina Ricci, and Carolina Herrera, among others.
“Perhaps the most demonstrative of spring’s pastel takeover were the muted purples across New York City, London, Milan, and Paris,” the article observes, highlighting the soft, subtle quality of these lovely lavender looks. The delicate pastel hue has made a strong statement from Carolina Herrera’s silky slip dresses and coordinating sweater separates to Michael Kors Collection’s nipped-in trench and Courrèges’ mock-neck gowns.
For those seeking a more relaxed interpretation of the trend, the article points to a tiered midi dress as the perfect embodiment of the soft, feminine quality of pale lilac. And for the more adventurous dressers, 3.1 Phillip Lim’s light purple mesh flats offer a bolder, yet still subtle, way to incorporate the trend into one’s wardrobe.
Embracing the Soft, Serene Palette of Spring 2024
The color trends unveiled by trend forecasters like Urangoo Samba offer a refreshing departure from recent seasons’ bold, vibrant hues. The muted pastels, serene neutrals, and pops of rejuvenating color that define this upcoming palette promise to imbue the spring wardrobe with a sense of calm optimism and timeless sophistication.
Whether it’s the chic nautical appeal of glacial blue, the dynamic allure of charcoal gray, or the sunshine-inspired warmth of butter yellow, these color trends present diverse options for fashion enthusiasts to explore and incorporate into their personal style. By embracing the soft, serene palette of spring 2024, individuals can effortlessly transition their wardrobes from the colder months and welcome the new season with a renewed sense of sartorial inspiration.
As the world continues to navigate uncertain times, the prevalence of these calming, nostalgic hues suggests a collective desire for comfort, optimism, and a touch of whimsy in our daily lives. By adopting these captivating color trends, fashion-forward individuals can not only elevate their personal style but also find a sense of joy and renewal in the changing seasons.
Source:
Emma Childs (February 22, 2024). 6 Color Trends to Wear in Spring 2024, According to a Trend Forecaster. https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/color-trends-spring-2024/. Accessed May 5, 2024
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