Written by: Mienke van Rooyen 

Firstly, what the heck does Pantone refer to?

If you already know, that’s great but younger folks might not know.

Let’s first define the word Pantone. According to Merchandise Essentials Pantone colours are colour codes, trademarked by the Pantone company,  that represents a specific shade. Each colour shade has a different or unique code. Pantone colours are used in communication to ensure that every involved party knows exactly what the end product should look like. For example if you tell me please paint the wall pink. What pink do you have in mind? Is it dark pink, light pink, baby pink? Okay, light pink. Is it pastel or neon? Okay, pastel. Is it faded or sharp? You see where I’m going with this. If you just provided me with a colour code I would paint your wall the exact colour you had in mind.

So, what is the Pantone colour of 2022?

It’s called Very Peri here’s the code if you need to paint you walls:

PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri

“Displaying a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives. Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.

We are living in transformative times. PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri is a symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through. As we emerge from an intense period of isolation, our notions and standards are changing, and our physical and digital lives have merged in new ways.” – Pantone.com

See here the winning colours for the past 22 years.

What does this mean for your wardrobe and budget?

Now when we look at the world of fashion we know how important colours are when it comes to trends. Think of when you were a teenager or mid-twenties I am pretty sure you can easily recall colours that were popular and trendy to dress in. But what does this colour of the year mean to us in 2022? We will most definitely see more of these outfits on the high end fashion runways. That will then flow down to the everyday consumer where you will see loads more items, in this colour at you favourite clothing stores.

I want to share with you how you can dress yourself to remain trendy. I know there are some people who believe that trends are, and I quote “stupid”. However fashion plays a huge role in how people identify and express themselves. So next time you find yourself at a crossroad choose the Very Peri colour you’ll even see how these more vibrant colours tend to lift your moral as well, turning to black is so last season.

Let’s look at ways you can incorporate this beautiful colour into your wardrobe.

According to Vogue the colour Very Peri embraces strangeness. From the photos below you will notice some outfits that might actually seem strange to you but taking in to account that in 2022 we might need something new to lift spirits and speed joy, it’s rightfully so, time embraces strange and new. As you can see colour can be added into any and every part of your “getup” or “look”. From shoes to handbags and also don’t forget nail polish or even some eyeshadow to brighten your final look.

As someone who has a definite favourite kind of style I am however always open to incorporate something new without changing my core style. I will probably swop out my plain white blouse for a Very Peri coloured one.

“It is a colour that really places the future ahead in a new light,” said Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.

I don’t know about you but I for one am ready for a brighter future.