Pantone’s announcement that Living Coral will be its Color of 2019 comes just in time to close out this year with some carefree happiness. The shade represents “playful expression,” and symbolizes our “innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits,” according to the Pantone Color Institute. The organization describes Living Coral as “an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones.” But TBH, it’s pink. Pink that’s a little loud, but softer than red. Look for the color online and you’ll find it in the range of salmon and papaya. Those golden undertones give it’s a sunny hue, so it’s not to be confused with millennial pink.
The selection also gives a nod to a threatened environmental treasure. “Living Coral is evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of color,” said the Pantone press release.
How can you start adding Living Coral to your life? Look to the designers who anticipated Pantone’s selection and filled their Spring 2019 collections with the hue. Prada served up sweet coral camisoles while Brandon Maxwell made use of the shade for a traditionalist shirtdress. Coral dresses studded with shells from Joseph Altuzarra remind us of summers by the sea.
The color looks good with gold jewelry, a big straw bag and a tan against the backdrop of a sunny, sandy beach. Use Living Color to subtly brighten your winter wardrobe with a cashmere sweater or go bold with a mid-length raincoat. It’s an ultimate cool-girl lipstick color. Pair it with light blue or teal in home décor. Use it at home as an accent color in a papaya-hued blanket or tiny delicious soaps for the bathroom.
Take a look at these Living Coral pieces that will cheer your winter days and take you optimistically into the New Year.
The Elder Statesman Highland Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, $710, net-a-porter.com.
This turtleneck sweater from the Los Angeles based-label The Elder Statesman will keep you super cozy when the temperatures drop. Hand-spun from sumptuous cashmere, this turtleneck style is cropped for a slightly loose fit and finished with chunky ribbed trims. The bold coral hue works equally well with inky tailoring and rich jewel tones like burgundy or emerald.
Marine Serre Hooded PVC Raincoat, $777, farfetch.com
Salmon pink hooded PVC raincoat from Marine Serre features a snap button closure, a gathered drawstring waist and zip-away hood, a printed logo to the front and a print to the rear. Face dreary days with style and a pop of color.
Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Balm, $19, Sephora
Adds a nice sheer pink color to lips and is super moisturizing. Hydrates without feeling sticky. Look for the coral shade in the Rainforest of the Sea™ Collection.
TOME Bow-Tied Cropped Top, $297, farfetch.com
Sustainable NYC label TOME delivers a 100 percent silk tie-front blouse in salmon. Team it with the TOME draped midi skirt in vermilion red for a colorful pairing.
Rachel Comey Emory Earrings, $125, Shopbop
Big, bold, and artfully interesting, these Rachel Comey earrings in lucite are a unique take on a classic hoop earring. They add a fun, statement-making style to pump up any outfit.
Santa Maria Novella Windsor Soap, $30, smallflower.com
Soaps with a characteristic spicy scent of bergamot and cinnamon. Box of 3 bars.
Cold Picnic Papaya Knit Blanket, $200, coldpicnic.com
This 50” x 60” color-block blanket warms any room with it’s salmon tones. Made in the U.S.A. of 80 percent recycled cotton and 20 percent polyester.
Read More: 11 Ways to Shop Living Coral, Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year
