Autumn in New York: Women's Pantone Colors

This is fall’s answer to purple. “While this color leans to fuschia, it’s much more subtle, so it’s not a shocking hot pink,” said Eiseman of Pantone. She pointed out Purple Orchid has an exotic feel, “so when you buy something in this color, you actually feel like you’re somewhere else.”

Eiseman said the plum undertones to Chocolate Truffle “make this a great version of the color brown. It’s classic, dependable. You can always go back to a shade of brown and combine it with brighter colors, for example. Brown is a part of everyone’s wardrobe.” Kimora Lee Simmons featured this color in her collection.

Peter Som, whose inspiration for fall was “Psychedelic Woodstock color meets Park Avenue elegance,” chose this as a signature color. “Green has been so prominent the past few seasons,” Eiseman said. “This is a winter version of green — it’s very natural, and very earthy.”

One of the strong neutrals of the Top 10 palette, Oyster Gray is a lighter version of the color gray for fall-winter, versus seasons past. “This gray will be great for winter, because it can be paired up against darker colors in consumers’ wardrobes, and it will last through the spring, too,” Eiseman said.

Pantone’s Color of the Year ranked in fifth place for New York designers this season. “There’s a sense of escapism to this color,” Eiseman said. “It’s not necessarily exotic, but it speaks to people of someplace tropical, relaxing.” She pointed out that this color would be featured in turquoise accessories for fall, as well.

“The color epitomizes femininity,” Rebecca Taylor said of her version of Rose Dust this season. Shaun Kearney for Cynthia Steffe, who played with plenty of classic and neutrals for fall, also featured Rose Dust. “This neutral color has a rose cast to it, so it’s not boring,” Eiseman said. “It’s…romantic and ethereal.”

“You can’t get away from the excitement this adds to the color palette,” Eiseman said. “It’s not the same red we saw from spring; this is deeper and has more drama than last season. And red lipstick is in, so it can really complement pieces in your wardrobe.” Tommy Hilfiger and Nanette Lepore featured this for fall in their collections.

“This is the evolution of yellow for fall – it’s more mellow, muted and earthy than a bright yellow,” Eiseman said. Yet the name suggests a hint of metallic to the color, as well. Eiseman noted Golden Glow could easily be paired with Woodbine or even Purple Orchid, which would appeal to younger consumers.

“So many more consumers have been getting into orange these days,” Eiseman said. “This is a different form of orange, a surprising version for fall. It’s definitely a consumer-friendly version of the family of orange, because it adds freshness to a wardrobe.” She noted Living Coral will be used in accessories.

Rachel Roy, whose inspiration for fall was “the subtle influence of Egypt and the Twenties and Thirties,” chose Endive as part of the color palette in her collection. “This yellow-green variation for the season would look great paired with Lagoon or Chocolate Truffle,” Eiseman said.