It is the capital city of one of the most iconic children’s stories. It is a precious stone. For 2013, it is also Pantone’s Color of the Year. Yes, I’m talking about emerald.
Described as “Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony,” on the Pantone website, it is a color so beautiful it flatters all skin tones and eye colors. But, how do you wear it? You like to consider yourself trendy and fashionable, but this rich shade might have you worried when it comes to what to wear. But don’t worry, with a few of these tips and tricks, you’ll be leaving everyone you see green with envy.
Accessorize
If you’ve never worn emerald before, start small. While the color is luxurious, a lot of it can be too much. Not only is it the easiest way to wear emerald, but accessories can make a big impact too! To this day, we all remember Angelina Jolie’s iconic emerald earrings she wore to the Academy Awards over four years ago. You can’t go wrong with statement jewelry like a pair of earrings or a necklace. You can also accessorize with an emerald scarf or bag.
Play with pattern
Treat emerald as a neutral and you’ll be surprised by what it goes with. My favorite combination? Emerald paired with leopard print. Keep things fun and fresh by pairing emerald with patterns of all sorts – from animal to floral to geometric prints. Another way to play with emerald is with texture. Metallic or suede pieces are really quite spectacular!
Make a statement
If you really want to stand out while wearing emerald, choose a statement piece to bolster your entire outfit around. Colored denim is a popular trend right now, so choose a pair of emerald colored jeans and rock them. Emerald can take a simple, regular outfit and give it a punch of color and life. They don’t say go big or go home for nothing!
Pair with neutrals
Emerald is a versatile color that plays well with others. Because it is so vibrant, pair it with neutrals like black, white and beige for a punch of color. This is an easy way to incorporate a pattern into your outfit like described above. Emerald is also very chic with gold and silver so don’t be afraid to mix in these accents as well. Feeling especially daring? Pair emerald with other jewel tones like purple or electric blue or with one of the season’s hottest trends, pastels.
Switch up your makeup
It may seem scary to try such a bold color with makeup, but it is extremely flattering. Try a smokey emerald eye to switch up your signature girls’ night out look. An easy way to make emerald eyeshadow work is to pair it with colors you already regularly use, like brown or gold. Hair chalk is all the rage right now and coloring your tips emerald is sure to garner some attention. If either of these ideas are too adventurous for you, switch up your regular manicure with a green polish.
Emerald is truly a lush and radiant shade. Instead of being intimidated, embrace this color by incorporating the color of the year into your wardrobe with the above tips!