BOLD GOLD
"Gold is a top accessory choice this spring," says TJMaxx fashion spokeswoman Laura McDowell, "whether as a gorgeous piece of jewelry or an accent in the form of a buckle or grommet on a soft, leather handbag. Metallic gold shoes also work well with the season's beige and white neutral palette."
The metallics - in silver, copper, bronze and gold - have been dazzling fashion consumers for several seasons, but this spring and summer, as the weather warms up, expect to see the golden tones light up wardrobes.
The warm golds of the current fashion season fit nicely into what color expert Leatrice Eiseman, calls the "sunset" color palette in her latest book, "More Alive With Color" (Capital Books; March 2006; $30). Eiseman organizes colors into palettes of morning, noon and night. The "earthy" colors so popular now blend right into the "sunset."
"The elements of fire and earth underscore the sunset (p.m.) palette and speak of a mellowed, golden evening," says Eiseman. "Warm tones prevail, as they light up your predominantly golden undertones."
So if you are one of those who is glad gold is back, then it might be time to add some more "spice" to your wardrobe. Eiseman suggests using gold accessories to complement greens like pesto and coriander; shades of honey gold, apricot cream, cranberry and hot chocolate. Cadmium orange, amber yellow, muted clay and camel are other spicy earth tones, as well as pinky coral tones, that make golden girls smile.
"Have fun with fiesta red and bright chartreuse," adds Eiseman to those who want to go with the gold this season, "and light up the sky with a deep periwinkle and magenta haze. When it's time to cool down, try a bit of celestial, della robbia, moonlight blue, or blue-greens like fir and feldspar."
And she does caution that golden girls should avoid being too cool for fashion school: "The colors you should use most sparingly are icy, cool and almost transparent," she says. "They're too cold for you and will melt in the presence of your warm coloring."
But if you do want to combine your golds and silvers - another very current fashion trend - it's best to keep the finishes compatible, advises Eiseman, and choose warm Florentine golds and deep coppers to complement brushed pewters and antique silver looks.
"Combining silver and gold also offers more versatility and opportunities for accessorizing," she says. She worked with a jewelry designer to create a ring that coordinates her own personal colors, using both silver and gold with colored gemstones. "This ring goes with everything I own," she says, "and it makes a very personal statement."
But the bottom line on gold? "Let your eye be your guide," says the color expert. "At one time, grays were only worn with silver. Now we see gold against charcoal and it looks marvelous."
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.
© Copley News Service
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