The Colour Palette for Spring Summer 2014 - Women

Once again we take a look at the colour reports from Pantone to see which colours are big this season and where we can reuse items in our wardrobes to nail the trends. 

(Image sourced from here)

We think the colours for this Spring Summer are great, there are almost two categories; the pastel tones which freshen up outfits and look perfect with whites and the bold bright colours which inject a fun and flirty feel. Some of these colours we have seen before, the dazzling blue for example is close the the cobalt blue that was so popular last year, lets hope you hung on to those pieces! The Paloma and Sand are fantastic base colours that'll easily see you through to next season and are versatile enough to fit into your current wardrobe. 

Here' what Pantone say about this seasons colour palette: 

"Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations." 

Three very adaptable pastels sit on one end of the palette, and, because we are so accustomed to seeing them as nature's background, they can be creatively combined with any other color in the spectrum. Placid Blue, like a picture-perfect, tranquil and reassuring sky, induces a sense of peaceful calmness, while Violet Tulip, a romantic, vintage purple, evokes wistful nostalgia. Similar to the verdant shade of springtime foliage, Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a decorative touch that's very different from the greens of recent seasons. Pair any of these versatile pastels with a bolder hue for an au courant look.

Sand, a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach and the carefree days of summer. Try pairing Sand with Hemlock for perfect, natural balance. Paloma serves as a quintessential neutral, interesting enough to be worn alone or combined with any color for sophisticated poise.

Cayenne, a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals, and heightens the excitement when mixed with Freesia, a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season. A tropical, floral-inspired shade, Freesia's warmth and energy help set the stage for Celosia Orange, an optimistic, spontaneous hue. Pair Celosia Orange with Violet Tulip for a captivating vision, much like the setting summer sun.

The palette is brought full circle with Radiant Orchid, a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip, and Dazzling Blue,a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid Blue. Surprisingly, these strong, vibrant colors also pair well across the palette: They are perfect companions to pastels, and add confidence and vivacity when mixed with other bold colors.(www.pantone.co.uk)"

What you can expect from Hoads this season to ensure you are perfectly on trend even if just with your footwear as after-all; the shoes really do make the outfit!

• Tonal colouring on multiple strapped sandals and wedges alike;

• Pastels shades for canvas days out and that extra bit of sparkle detail for a more dressy occasion;

• Bright, vibrant hues that evoke a feeling of warm summer holidays and lazy BBQ evenings;

• The classic driving moccasins and loafers with a modern twist of bright colours, tassels and pattern details. 

Whatever your looking for this spring summer, look for it at Hoads.