WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Listen up guys, I've got a slightly belated new year’s resolution for you: wear something other than khaki and/or navy blue. Open your eyes and venture out! It’s 2019 and menswear has GROWN.
And to help me, help you expand your horizons, I’ve called in the big shots; the masters of all shades, the keepers of the one colour wheel that RULES THEM ALL (I'm talking about Pantone, obviously). Take it away Leatrice Eiseman (Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute).
Why is it important to take time to consider the colours that you wear?
“Because colour is the first thing people see, the hues we choose to wear play a key role in our visual identity. Each colour has its own unique message and meaning, influencing us physiologically and psychologically as well as influencing the perceptions others have of us. Colour is not only the single most important design element in creating mood, but it is also your most significant communication tool to convey a message.”
How does Pantone believe that colour can affect your personal mood?
“As previously stated, each colour conveys its own unique message and meaning, influencing us both psychologically and physiologically. Our research has found that 95% of the time, the influence of colour takes place outside of our conscious awareness, making its impact extremely powerful as we do not even realise how, when and why we respond the way we do to this universal, yet silent language.
The way colours affect us correlates to that colours’ behaviour in nature. Through consumer colour preference and studies conducted at the Pantone Color Institute, where thousands of people have been asked what they think of specific colours, we have found many patterns. For example, the colour blue is almost always associated with blue skies, which when we are children is a positive thing — it represents playing outside and having fun. Evolutionarily, it also means there are no storms to come. This is why it reminds us of calmness and stability.
There are no magic bullet answers, but rather some generalities that can be gleaned from decades of research on the compilation of study participants’ emotional responses to colour. What is fascinating is that some responses have stayed fairly constant through time. Conversely, others have changed considerably or have simply evolved. Colour and culture are also intertwined, and responses reflect this. Therefore, to keep our research current, we conduct our colour studies at the Pantone Color Institute on an ongoing basis.”
Why is colour important in 2019?
“Colour is no longer just something we see and appreciate - it enhances and influences the way we experience life. The Pantone Color of the Year 2019, which is the 20th Pantone Color of the Year, is Living Coral. The hue represents the influence that colour has on perception and experience today, more powerful than a fleeting fad. As a shade that affirms life through a dual role of energising and nourishing, Living Coral reinforces how colours can embody our collective experience and help to answer the needs of society and culture. Reflecting on the Pantone Color of the Year at its 20th anniversary, this evolution is clear. Colour, as a strategic element of design and experience, can be the reason why something – whether it be a product, a piece of art, a setting, or a brand - resonates or not.”
So, what colours should you be wearing in 2019?
Sage Green
Who's doing Sage Green in 2019?
DSQUARED2, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry, Louis Vuitton.
Sage green must-haves
Sage green suit
As you (should) know already, tailoring is back. And what better way to sport sage green than with an all-the-rage double-breasted suit in the hue. Currently, the coolest way to wear a DB suit, both literally and figuratively speaking, is wearing without any form of shirt underneath. Doesn’t sound a bit of you? Well, what if I told you that Jay-Z, Kanye and A$AP Rocky are doing it. How do you feel about the trend now?
Sage green hoodie
With a little help from Virgil, Kid Cudi has persuaded us all that a sage green hoodie is the chill-time essential of 2019. Cudi and Kanye don’t just see ghosts, they also see the future.
Pairs well with…
Dusty blues and pinks, grey, brown
Pantone match
Sage Green would best suit Mood Indigo (Pantone 19-4025)
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
Red
Who’s doing red in 2019?
Off-White, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Fendi.
Red must-haves
Red leather jacket
With Balmain SS19 being a homage to Thriller and Virgil confirming that his AW19 collection for LV will be inspired by MJ, one thing is for sure — red leather is moonwalking its way back into fashion this year (and will be side-sliding its way into your wardrobe).
Red denim-style jacket
The ultimate out-out jacket; red carries connotations of love, lust, rebelliousness and danger. Guaranteed to help you pull (as long as you don’t attempt to bust-out some Fortnite moves whilst wearing it).
Pairs well with…
Black, blue, white.
Pantone match
Red would best suit Warm Sand (Pantone 15-1214)
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
Silver
Who’s doing silver in 2019?
Dior, A-COLD-WALL*, Fendi.
Silver must-haves
Silver tracksuit
“I’m trying to be like you, flexing like it’s 3019” is what friends and strangers alike will say when they spot you wearing a silver tracksuit. Hint: Dior Pre Fall 19 by Kim Jones will provide you with all the silver style inspiration that you need.
Silver puffer jacket
Astronaut vibes. Pull off a silver puffer and you’ll be lionized by your inner circle for being the coolest person they know. Get it wrong and you’ll be looking like Bianca from Eastenders (non-UK residents, Google her).
Pairs well with…
Black, grey, gold, white.
Pantone match
Metallic Silver would best suit Frost Gray (Pantone 17-0000)
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
NIKE Air Vapormax '97 sneakers, ALEXANDER WANG Football T-shirt, MAISON MARGIELA metallic foldover wallet, GUCCI laminated sparkling GG jacket
Brown
Who’s doing brown in 2019?
Dior, Raf Simons, Saint Laurent, Prada
Brown must-haves
Brown leather jacket
A brown leather jacket should be a staple item in every man’s wardrobe. Versatile and old-school macho; the layer will rocket your look from 0 to 100 faster than Ron Burgundy can say “well that escalated quickly”.
Brown silk Cuban-collar shirt
Let me say this right now, Fendi’s silk Cuban-collar shirts for SS19 — the ones completely plastered with the double F monogram — are already the hottest shirts of 2019. Expect to see them at each and every fashion week across the whole globe, all year long.
Something Bambi print by Burberry
Here at Farfetch, we adore this print; it’s so fresh and new (like really new). It’s also brown AND animal print AND (somehow) really masculine. Finally, a worthy replacement to the long-running, extremely tired camo print trend.
Pairs well with…
Neutrals, red, black, white.
Pantone match
Rustic Brown would best suit Muted Clay (Pantone 165-1330)
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
FENDI logo zipped jacket, GUCCI brown GG Jordaan velvet loafers, VISVIM jumbo hoodie, YEEZY Calabasas track pants
Cream
Who’s doing cream in 2019?
Xander Zhou, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Jacquemus, Dior.
Cream must haves
Cream blazer
What’s more summer than a Pimm's in the hand of a sophisticated man flexing a slick cream blazer at a garden party? Absolutely nothing. Therefore, the moral of the story is go and get preppy.
Cream utility jacket
The contrast between the purity of the colour cream decorating utility-inspired silhouettes epitomizes the boundary-breaking state of the fashion industry in 2019.
Pairs well with...
Brown, neutrals, pastel hues.
Pantone Match
Cloud Cream would best suit Living Coral (Pantone 16-1546)
Living Coral, AKA Pantone’s colour of the year for 2019.
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
FENDI FF logo stripe track trousers, JW ANDERSON embroidered anchor logo sweatshirt, KENT & CURWEN v-neck logo sweater, GUCCI branded headband
Baby Blue
Who’s doing baby blue in 2019?
Burberry, Jacquemus, Zegna, Dior.
Baby blue must-haves
Baby blue shirt
A baby blue shirt is always a good idea, whether it be for an interview or a social outing. And for SS19, designers have switched-up the classic piece in a whole host of innovative ways. Our favourites have to be either Burberry’s interpretation that comes complete with a matching tie or Lanvin’s geometric take on the essential.
Baby blue suit
Reimagined by the likes of Ermenegildo Zegna and Dior for SS19, baby (which, by the way, works with almost every skin type) invigorates and updates sophisticated tailoring. Most of all, a baby blue suit makes you look totally approachable (even if you are socially awkward); so who knows what might come from such an investment.
Pairs well with…
White, navy, pink, cream, soft brown.
Pantone Match
Baby Blue would best suit Eggplant (Pantone 19-2311)
What to buy to get ahead of the trend…
PAUL SMITH striped shirt, KENZO logo print T-shirt, TOD'S Gommino driving shoes, CHAMPION light blue reverse weave sweatshirt
You might also like...