Mind-banging Fall "It" Colors: Will You Be Wearing "Phlox" This Season?

Remember, way back in the day, when people still used the word "purple"? Wait, what? You still use the word "purple"? Well, get with the times, lady, because it's called "Phlox" now. Don't be alarmed- I assure you, color names get changed all the time.

 

 

Sorry, kid, you're Phlox now.

Lots of people have "wine" or "burgundy" in their wardrobes, makeup, and home decor but God forbid anyone owns anything "maroon". Naturally, color names have to change after a while so people can get schiested into buying more stuff- you might pass on the "eggplant" blazer but, if the tag says "aubergine" (which, btw, is just another name for an eggplant), it's another story. It makes you think- who comes up with all these color names, anyway?


Well, I found out: it's Pantone, the "world-renowned authority on color". These people are the people who decide what the "it" colors will be each season. (Yes, there is actually a board of people who sit there and decide these things.)

When I checked the Pantone Fall 2011 Color Report today, I found out that these designers have changed mustard yellow to "bamboo", "salmon" to "emberglow", periwinkle to "orchid hush", beige to "nougat", and moss green to "cedar". And I believe my reaction can be summed up by saying...WTF.

Pantone Fall 2011 Color Report

Ok, I understand the need to change colors to make them sound more exotic but c'mon- "phlox"? What the hell is that? At least when it was "grape" we had a vague idea of what color it was... now everything's just confusing.

And, does anyone notice that some of these "Fall" colors look suspiciously like summer/spring colors? Is summer the new fall? Remember when Fall colors were still Fall colors? I guess ol' pumpkin orange and dead-leaf brown are out. *Shrug* Oh well, what're ya gonna do. It is what it is...

What do you think of these "new" (but not really) colors? Do you like their new names? What about the colors themselves? Drop me a comment and let me know!