Yahoo Images
I don’t know how I missed this, but last month Pantone announced the color of 2013.
Before I share the news — because I just know you’re sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation of this huge announcement — I want to remind you that Pantone is the global authority on color. I know this, because their dramatic press release from September 6 tells me so and if it’s on the internets, it must be true, right?
Anyway, the color of the year is…
…drum roll, please…
Monaco Blue:
Let’s have a round of applause for Miss Pantone 2013!
Unlike Tangerine Tango, which was the color of 2012, I like Monaco Blue. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief, as I have been walking around for a year now in a completely unfashionable state, because there is no Tangerine Tango, or any orange for that matter, in my wardrobe. I am delighted that I can wear my favorite color in 2013 and that all will be right with the world. Crisis averted. Whew.
According to the executive director of Pantone, Monaco Blue “speaks to the practicality that we are seeing in society… You have to realize there is still concern out there for the economy… people want dependably stable colors.”
Well thank goodness the fine folks at Pantone took the time to analyze people’s moods and figure out that we are concerned about the economy and therefore want dependable and stable colors. Maybe we’ll all feel more relaxed if we wear Monaco Blue when we pay our bills.
There’s a full report that you can download. If you’re interested (and I know you are) click on the press release link above and you can find it. The short of it is that there’s a lot of serious academic justification about why Monaco Blue is their choice, as if anyone was going to challenge them on their findings or possibly ask for a recount. Here’s just one paragraph:
This season, designers overwhelmingly address consumers’ desire for self-expression, balance and the need to re-energize. The color direction for spring builds upon these compelling needs with a palette that mixes dynamic brights with novel neutrals to create a harmonious balance. This allows for unique combinations that offer practicality and versatility, but at the same time, demand attention and earn an appreciative glance.
You know what? I am going to challenge the Pantone folks on something. Go look at that chart of colors at the top again. And here’s another version of it:
Did anyone take a look at Emerald (Pantone 17-5641)? THAT is what the Pantone folks call Emerald? Puh-lease. Ask any female worth her ovaries and she’ll tell you, THIS is Emerald:
I do not know how anyone could even begin to guess that that washed-out shade of green with serious blue undertones is supposed to be Emerald. What a pretender. Even uncut emeralds, while admittedly more toned down than polished emeralds, don’t look like that sad hue that Pantone is trying to make us believe is Emerald. *tsk* Pantone 17-5641 is in need of the color equivalent of Viagra, followed by a Viagra chaser. Even then, I’m not sure it will be enough.
I checked my go-to source, Wikipedia, which confirmed that I am correct in challenging Pantone’s version of Emerald. Because we all know that Wikipedia is always 100% accurate and never has the facts wrong. Hey, at least whomever wrote those Wikipedia pages knows their freaking colors.
So in the interest of keeping you all informed on the serious hard-hitting issues of the day, that’s my report. Feel free to take a break from such fluff news as Election 2012 and the freaky-ass storm headed for the East Coast in order to fully educate yourselves.
`
I’m so glad there are some citizen journalists among us who are not taking their eyes off the ball. Thanks, Jen!
You know, Pantone colors printed out can be much different than what it is shows up as on your monitor. Of course, a lot depends on your printer too. But that’s another rabbit hole for another day….
Frankly, I’m sad to see orange being replaced. I guess I’ll go back to being out of fashion again with my touches of orange….
I like the actual color they’re calling “emerald” – but it is not an actual emerald shade. It is rather teal, don’t you think?
I love Pantone. I’m one of those people who’d have a Pantone iphone case and a Pantone suitcase and Pantone Christmas ornaments. I almost bought myself a Pantone coffee mug, but I couldn’t settle on one color. I wanted them all! I think Pantone is the new “Keep Calm…”
I’m just relieved that they are forecasting a color palette of my liking. I may not be fashionable but at least I will be comfortable with what I see on everyone else, color-wise.
Just read up on storm Sandy this morning. Yikes!! (Also, it’s really easy to ignore weather on the opposite side of the country when I don’t have access to The Weather Channel.)
You know what’s cool about that paragraph you quoted? I’ll bet they could use that exact same paragraph each time they introduce a new color palette.
It’s great to know that the apparently seriously unstylish colors (wink, wink) in my wardrobe are suddenly going to become fashionable in 2013, because I own a lot of Monaco Blue (and every other shade of blue imaginable). I had the same thought about Emerald when I first saw the colors at the beginning of this post.
As always thanks for the laugh! I must say that as far as colors go Monaco Blue is pretty. That tangerine thing was so awful! (I look dead in any shades of orange & yellow). So on that note I won’t mind rockin’ some blue finger nails. Actually the Monaco Blue & “Emerald” look quite nice together! That said you’re right. There is no way, shape or form that color is anything like the gem so 3 lashes to the colorist on that one!
I trust you have much emerald in this year’s wardrobe…especially of the first picture variety. A girl can’t have enough emerald.
I love tangerine tango. A big fan of orange here.
But I also like Monaco Blue. Very nice.
And you are spot on about the emerald….totally needs viagra
What a colorfull post ;D
I am so glad I was not the only one walking around for a year now in a completely unfashionable state, because really I just don’t like orange. I do however adore blue. It is my favorite color. It is also nice to see someone else that has a black belt in sarcasm and isn’t afraid to use it
Good of you to research this for us.
Jenny
My thoughts as I read your post, Jen:
“Ooooh, that is a very cool picture!” (referring to the Yahoo Images bubble rainbow)
“Nice. I like Monaco Blue. The others are kinda meh.”
“Um, that is so not emerald.”
“‘Novel neutrals?’ That’s an oxymoron.”
“Well, lookee there – Jen had the same thought I did. I totally rock.”
“Man, that Sandy sounds scary. I wonder how far Jen lives from my sister.” Hope you all stay high and dry in the next few days!
Oh thank God. None of us look good in orange and that’s been a HUGE color this year for toddler boy clothes. With Toby’s reddish hair tones, he looks like a small carrot in orange shirts. BLUE, WE LOVE YOU AND ARE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU. *sniffle* It is an historical day!
Not a Monaco Blue person myself, but their version of Emerald has been showing up in my closet (along with the REAL emerald color…although no real Emeralds, for shame). And Greyed Jade is the color I want to paint my sewing room. I however will miss Tangerine Tango.
If I had an African Violet plant that looked that color I would think it was on it’s last legs.