Sarah’s Picks: Pantone for Spring 2018

And there she is, the color of 2018 — a brooding hue that evokes a sense of mystery and poignance. Ultra Violet takes the mantle as the tone of the incoming year, so in preparation, here are my purple picks.

 

 

 

Clothes — Historically, purple was the color of royalty simply because royals were the only ones that could afford the cost of the dye. Today, while wearing purple has become much more accessible in terms of price, it still takes a certain amount of character to pull off large swaths of the hue. My pick of the season comes off the Gucci Spring Summer 2018 runway, and is not for the faint of heart—a full bleed purple ensemble that plays with different intensities of sheen; from the holographic sparkle shades, to the satin blazer, delicious crushed velvet pants, and ultra luxurious slides.

 

    CALVIN KLEIN S/S 18

 

Shoes — While anyone who knows me understands that when it comes to footwear my mantra is “flat is where it’s at,” I still have a very healthy appreciation for the higher variety of heels as wonderful works of art. Case in point, these purple bootie pumps that pack a powerful purple punch at Calvin Klein Spring Summer 2018. You could wear practically anything and these shoes would elevate that outfit, stat.

 

 

 

Accessories — When I saw this Tyler Joe photo of a Tbilisi Fashion Week attendee, the purple fanny pack stole my attention (which is quite a feat considering the domineering size of those shoulder pads). This is a great way to incorporate the depth and quirk of purple in a smaller but still show-stopping way. Another more subtle tip? Seeing as all things transparent are becoming a fashion favorite, if you pick up a pair of see-through shoes, try painting your toenails purple for just a hint of the hue.

 

 

 

 

Beauty — Okay, this one is a no brainer. I’ve been wearing MAC’s Heroine lipstick for as long as I can remember, and it is (along with their obnoxiously orange Morange shade) one of my favorite signature pout pigments! For the more daring dames out there, Smoked Purple (also from MAC) is a near-black purple that I used at Metrowear Luxe 2016 and really delivers when I’m going for super...no, ULTRA glam.

 

 

Song — I’ll give you a classic and a contemporary song, just because that’s how I flow. An ode to the purple icon himself, Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’, and ASAP Rocky’s ‘Purple Swag’ for my millennial mates.

 

 

Culture — If you’re a RuPaul’s Drag Race aficionado, then the name Violet Chachki will summon up visions of a maddeningly whittle-waisted drag queen, with some serious avant- garde pin-up girl vibes. The mere fact that her name is Violet warrants a spot as my culture pick for the Ultra Violet vibe of 2018.

 

 

Food — On the global culinary circuit, they call it “the new matcha” but as Filipinos, ube has been on our radar forever. The purple yam phenomenon definitely created a stir in 2017, but I predict that it’ll become even more mainstream in the new year.