Spring style

New color palette drives shoppers to buy new merchandise for spring wardrobe.

By Samantha Critchell ~ The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- They're already starting to pop up in store windows like the first flowers that emerge from the frozen ground: a handful of spring styles in sweet sherbet colors.

The season's predominant shades of light green, ballet pink, baby blue, coral, salmon and light coffee are decidedly optimistic, says Lisa Herbert, executive vice president of fashion and interiors at Pantone Inc., a developer of color tools that serve as the standard for many designers and manufacturers.

She takes particular note of the re-emergence of green. "It's a very psychological symbol of regrowth," she says.

Also, Herbert says, the 1950s-ish shades of coral and salmon are being used instead of a classic red as a way to soften an always-popular spring-summer color.

Lars Nilsson, the designer for Bill Blass, for instance, features a slightly whitened coral pink as the 2003 take on the label's signature shade. He says "think strong lipstick meets delicate powder."

Cosmetics are, indeed, following the same path. Crisp greens and pinks with "a drop of yellow sunshine" are the top makeup colors, according to Estee Lauder.

The switch from 2002's tropicals to 2003's sorbets is part emotional, part economical.

"You need new color to drive retail. Color reaches out to consumers and says 'Try me,"' Herbert says. Changing the palette also encourages shoppers to add to their wardrobes instead of pulling out last year's clothes.

Banana Republic begins displaying spring merchandise at the end of January because customers have just about had it with winter by then, says company spokeswoman Tara McCollum.

"Our spring collection is rooted in neutrals -- khaki, white and navy -- with pops of ballet pink, fuchsia, periwinkle, powder blue and celery green," McCollum reports. "The way we've presented the collection gives the customer the ability to mix."

In fact, men are getting many of the same accent colors. (This way, women can raid the closet and use the pastel-colored ties as belts.)

Lucky magazine editor in chief Kim France says she's going to try to use some of the subtler sorbets, such as rose or a light lilac, as neutrals that can be worn as part of all types of outfits and for all occasions.

Brighter hues and the trickier shades of yellow and celery and mint greens, however, will be added to France's wardrobe via accessories.

"A bright color is a fun thing, but don't go breaking the bank on anything too bright," France says.

Choosing the right color depends less on trends and more on skin tone, she adds. There is no such thing as a color that looks good on everyone.