A Gray History
The color gray was typically viewed as a muted or neutral color throughout fashion in the 20th century. It was often overlooked as people opt for a stark white or bold black. However, gray has been making it's way into the fashion cycle as an independent trend in the past thirty years. Let's take a look at color palettes in the past 30 years:
The 1990's brought along slouchy and loose fitted clothing with a few bright hues such as the 'scuba blue' and 'super lemon' seen above in the Pantone clippings. However, a 'lead gray' also emerged with these colors and complimented these vibrant colors with its more muted tone. Later in the early 2000's, the gray was softer and considered 'satelite.' This was also an age of a technology revolution, which coincides with gray's association with intellect. Many actually refer to human brains as "gray matter" which is why this color relates to intelligence and smarts.
Gray Today
This pantone article describes how the 'turbulence' shade of gray will probably be used for Fall of 2013. As you can see, a brown shade called 'carafe' is paired with the bold gray shade. As the article touches on, it is important that consumers of fashion understand that gray is used successfully or unsuccessfully by the colors it is paired with and the garments worn.
I would consider gray to be in the rise on the fashion cycle because it is currently continuing into the Spring 2014 Pantone Color Palette. The Spring 2014 Color Palette is discussed in the section of this website under: "Who Says What?"
I would consider gray to be in the rise on the fashion cycle because it is currently continuing into the Spring 2014 Pantone Color Palette. The Spring 2014 Color Palette is discussed in the section of this website under: "Who Says What?"
Gray in the Future
Looks like gray is here to stay (at least for awhile longer!) for Spring of 2014. Compared to the Fall 2013 gray, 'turbulence,' gray of Spring 2014 ('paloma') is softer and lighter in shade. It makes a nice neutral when mixed with the other Spring 2014 colors such as 'cayenne' and 'radiant orchid.' It will be interesting to see whether 'paloma' or 'sand' will be more accepted by consumers as a neutral for Spring 2014 once retailers are selling their entire Spring lines.