Color for the win in 2022! From bright sunny spots of yellow optimism or earthy mochas and vibrant bright pinks, there is something for every mood or vibe in Spring/Summer 2022. Some favorites from the fashion color authority Pantone are included below, along with tips on how to accessorize each.

Color of the Year – Very Peri

It’s been a challenging couple of years, and many people have taken a deep dive inward to reevaluate their life choices. The same holds true in fashion. Now is the time to get brave and find original, colorful ways to express yourself.  According to Pantone, their 2022 Color of the Year “Very Peri” has a “courageous presence that encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” 

The fashion world has embraced the color wholeheartedly. Various hues of this blueish purple were seen in a myriad of fabrics on runways in London (Chet Lo, Thom Browne), Paris (Balenciaga, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent), and Milan (Alberta Ferretti, Gucci, Missoni, Valentino, Emporio Armani) in looks for both men and women. Crossing a wide range of styles and trends, the mysterious shade has a hint of both optimism and strangeness in it. There is an “anything goes” feel to it, a jubilant energy despite our collective unknown future. So, wear it with pride and gusto. It’s like a permission slip to have fun again.

Celebrities like Anya Taylor-Joy, Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves, and Zendaya have all rocked the look on red carpets recently. It pairs well with opaque gems like chalcedony, lavender jadeite, and rosé Tahitian pearls for everyday wear. For dresswear, special occasions, or haute couture purple gowns, try faceted amethyst for a complementary sparkle or perhaps pale silver Tahitians for subtlety and contrast.

Water Vibes – Blue-Green Hues for a Deep Cleanse

Spring/Summer 2022 fashion is offering us all a cleansing dose of aqua.  Water shades like Pantone’s Harbor Blue, Glacier Lake, Spun Sugar, and Skydiver have a refreshing feel.  Embraced by designers like Jason Wu and Giorgio Armani, the vibe is cool and serene, a life force of calm in these crazy times.

The gem world has long embraced the alluring attraction of water-colored stones. Wear these new blue-green styles with aquamarine, rare green pearls, and deep green garnets. Look for fusions of these colors, too, for the perfect accent. In The Colors collection by Assael, discover pale gray Tahitian Pearls with Aquamarine or exotic green pearls with tsavorites or green garnets.  The assorted pearl colors in the Tahitian Bubbles by Sean Gilson for Assael offer a playful sense of coordinated adornment that is appropriate without being “matchy-matchy.” Embracing the darker side of pearls uncovers a whole array of blue, green, and gray hues. They also pair perfectly with basic blacks and the standard neutrals in your wardrobe.

Daffodil – Pair It with Bright White Pearls

Fashion also offers a delightful bright spot with Pantone’s popular yellow hues. In 2021, Illuminating tied for color of the year with Ultimate Gray, and this year, Daffodil is a top pick for the Spring/Summer seasons. This radiant shade offers some feel-good factor like a burst of sunshine after a dark, cloudy day. Chanel and Moschino debuted yellow mini suits for a playful approach to business attire. Molly Goddard, Alexander McQueen, and Jason Wu offered strapless dresses with billowing or bulky sleeves. Proenza Schouler threw in some fringe for an extra dose of fun.

These fun styles are bold and sure to capture attention. Keep the accessories sophisticated and refined. Bubble Pearls from Sean Gilson for Assael elevate the look with an effervescent ease. Baroque pearls are also trending strongly for 2022, and their bright white luster makes the perfect accompaniment to such sunny frocks, as drop earrings or a fabulous pearl pendant.

For Pinks – Go Tone-on-Tone

According to Vogue, “this shade is the opposite of autumnal and it’s everywhere.” Hot pink was particularly popular on Couture runways around the world. Chanel, Versace, Valentino, Molly Goddard, and Proenza Schouler are just a few of the designers embracing what Pantone calls Innuendo.  The playful hue is pulsating with energy and a daring, fun attitude. Just what the world needs right now.

For those feeling less bold who need a more subdued approach, Gossamer Pink offers a gentle caress of femininity.  Carolina Herrera, Moschino, Cinq à Sept, and Peter Do embraced this gentle hue in everything from suits and dresses to gloves, hats, and hair.

Use a tone-on-tone approach to accessorize either look. This flamboyant hot pink calls for rosy gems like pink sapphires, faceted pink tourmalines, and the delightful pinkish tints in bicolor tourmalines. The softer shade works well with rose gold jewelry, morganite or opaque stones like conch pearls, watermelon tourmaline, and Angel Skin Coral. Pinks also pair well with certain shades of Tahitian Pearls. Assael’s new In Reverse earrings combine subtle rosé Tahitians with bicolor tourmaline to marvelous effect. The combination of green in bicolor tourmaline adds a bit of contrast, too, in the Assael Tahitian Pearl and Bi-Color Drop earrings. 

Poinciana – Wear with Dark Gray or Bright White

Poinciana, a saturated coral/reddish orange, added another warming trend in Spring/Summer collections. Favored by designers like Christopher Kane, Vivienne Westwood, Moschino, Balmain, Balenciaga, Versace, and Proenza Schouler, the look was mostly solid, some with cutouts and/or fringe, but mostly big bold single tone dresses, overcoats, or suits. 

This vibrant color stands on its own. Best to accessorize the look with black or white. Pair it with dark charcoal Tahitian “black” pearls high at the neck or a stark white button up blouse under the coat or suit jacket. For a tone-on-tone look, try responsibly sourced Mediterranean coral beads, but add some contrast with a black handbag or ebony hued shoes. Assael’s elegant and fabulously long sautoir features Akoya Pearls with the deep red tint of Sardinian Coral with fun tassels at the end for an added sense of motion.   

Coca Mocha – With Yellow Diamonds and Chocolate Pearls

Several designers opted for the earthy tone of Coca Mocha, a toasty tribute to all things chocolate and/or nature-inspired. Balmain glammed up the hue with gold beading, while Givenchy kept it subdued with a pale plaid blazer in soft browns. Fendi added some shimmer with a satin mocha gown.  Any or all of these could be elevated with the rare chocolate hue of Assael’s Fiji pearls from J. Hunter. This magnificent brown pearl strand exudes warmth and elegant organic luster. For a multi-hue approach, try the new Tahitian pearl Bubble clip earrings by Sean Gilson for Assael. Golden South Sea Pearls and Fancy Yellow Diamond earrings also add a touch of sophistication.

No matter which of these fabulous Pantone colors you add to your Spring/Summer 2022 ensembles, make bold choices with jewelry and accessories that complement the look. Enjoy dressing up for the sheer pleasure of it, no matter if you go out or stay home. Color always perks us up, so you might just be lifting other people’s spirits, too.

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