Spark

We always look forward to the trendsetting announcement of the Pantone Colour of the Year. It really sets the tone for colour stories in fashion, beauty, and design. We love a good vino, so the subtle sophistication of the deep wine-coloured shade marsala was a welcome selection. It’s been a few months now and we’re starting to see this sophisticated, earthy shade pop up around the Centre. But don’t worry if this seems like a tough one to mix into your existing wardrobe. “Marsala is a bold colour, but because it's not a bright bold colour, it’s more approachable,” explains stylist Allana Schmidt of F2SE.ca, who put together these looks. “It will be easy for a variety of people to wear!”

We set out to prove our point and took on the style challenge of incorporating marsala into some wearable looks. Here’s what we came up with:

Marsala + Classic Textures
“Although it may seem scary,” reasons Schmidt, “just about anyone can wear it. Marsala is a colour that will give other colours a boost effect.” The deep berry shade adds lots of depth to your wardrobe workhorses, and gives a completely different feel to how you usually style them. So don’t be intimidated by marsala when you see it solo – there’s nothing like a pop of colour to make your go-with-everything leather jacket and your favourite denim feel finished.

Marsala + Rich Jewel Tones
Sometimes a girl just wants to stand out! When we’re feeling extra confident, head-to-toe colour tops our list as a fun style pick. The deep marsala hue pairs surprisingly well with a similar royal purple jewel tone. We highly recommend going all out with an oversized necklace, sexy black heels, and a glittery clutch for a get-noticed night on the town.

Marsala + Calm Neutrals
We’d venture to say that every colour is wearable when paired with the right shades. “One easy way to tone down marsala,” shares Schmidt, “is to pair it with extremely calm neutrals like beige or grey. In combination with these colours, marsala will work as a neutralizing factor that will appear complementary, instead of a bold contrast.” We love the pairing of marsala with soft greys and winter white for an elegant effect.

What do you think about marsala, this year’s Pantone Color of the Year? Do you plan on wearing it?

Love these looks? Visit these St. Vital Centre retailers to shop the clothing and accessories in this post (check stores for availability):

Look #1
Top: Garage, $16.90
Jeans: Bootlegger, $98
Suede/leather jacket: Dynamite, $59.90
Leather boots (Michael Kors): Browns Shoes, $119.99
Necklace: Le Chateau, $19.95
Belt: Bench, $19

Look #2
Top: Melanie Lyne, $49.99
Jeggings: Garage, $44.95
Heels (Wishbone): Browns Shoes, $69.98
Necklace: Le Chateau, $59.95
Clutch: Browns Shoes, $150

Look #3
Top: Gap, $29.95
Pants: Gap, $29.95
Pumps (Michael Kors): Browns Shoes, $119.98
Bracelet: Le Chateau (set of eight), $22
Ring: Le Chateau (set of 2), $15
Purse: Danier, $99
Scarf: American Eagle Outfitters, $29.95