IF you are a fashionista, you are already familiar with the hold that pastels have over the 2015 — 2016 season. An eclectic mix of understated hues and soft pastels are going to take centre stage throughout this year.
BY MARSHALL MALIKULA
From Dolce and Gabbana to Prada, Christian Dior to Missoni and Dries Van Noten, powdery pastels definitely made the cut when it came to top-notch trends. We saw celebrities like Kylie Jenner take on sorbet colours for hair, as well as a lot of throwback and retro pastels by furniture and interior designers.
Pastels come in chalky, sorbet or ice cream colours. Technically speaking, pastels have a high value and a low intermediate saturation when described in hue —saturation — value. Pastels are a great way to add colour to an outfit, but in a softer, subtler manner. Pastels are usually a preserve of spring to summer, but now this trend can be worn whenever, wherever!
That’s one myth debunked already — according to Harper’s Bazaar, pastels are a huge trend to look out for, for Fall/ Winter 2016. What is great about pastels is that they can be worn in almost any setting, at any age, and they look great against any skin tone. In fact, they make dark skin tones shine! Pastels are best worn during the day, as they reflect sunlight, but this does not keep you from wearing them in the evening too. Pastels are more suited to casual settings, office looks as well as relaxed parties.
How to rock the pastel trend
lPastels will add life to your wardrobe as long as you know how to incorporate them. Mix pastels with a neutral colour like white, beige, khaki, tan, grey, black and dark blue.
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lMix pastels with other pastels. This is a yummy look; pastels do not have to match. Try a dusty pink with mint and so on and so forth. Just remember the cardinal rule: not more than three hues at the same time. If you are a bit technical, remember you can mix colours that sit on opposite sides of the colour wheel, such as blue and yellow.
lMix pastels with highly saturated colours. For example, chalky pink looks great with navy.
lIf you do not like to wear a lot of pastel, then try to build the colour into your wardrobe through accessories. Add a scarf, watch, tie, pocket square or necklace in a pastel colour, and voila! You’re on-trend. If you are wearing pastels you can also pair them with metallic accessories. Pastels look great with metals since metals are neutral.
lMarshall Malikula is an image consultant and stylist and he can be reached on [email protected], Facebook, Instagram and Skype
