How to Wear “Greenery”, Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year

To start the new year off right, invest in Pantone’s official color of the year: Pantone 15-0343, also known as Greenery.

It’s yellow! It’s green! It’s Pantone’s 2017 color of the year!

Reflecting the ongoing and highly popular “go-green” movement (think healthy eating and environmental responsibility), Pantone’s Greenery is more than just a kale lookalike. It’s strongly associated with nature and the global community, promotes 2017’s legacy as the year of sustainability, and even looks great alongside deep purples and reddish shades. Not too shabby, right?

But how does one actually wear Pantone 15-0343 (a noticeably green tone) without looking like a big leaf that’s recently escaped from the wilderness? Here’s where we kick in. 

Keep reading for three ways to wear Greenery this year. Happy 2017!

Make it minimal

When in doubt, keep it simple.

Products: Blouse – Topshop | Coat – Kenneth Cole | Jean – Levi’s | Bag – Coach | Boot – DSW | Jewelry – Charming Charlie

In the case of Greenery, less is most certainly more. Make your green item the accent piece in your outfit by pairing it with apparel that’s slightly more subdued in color, volume, or texture. For instance, when wearing out a loose-fitting, long top in the Greenery tone, complement it with a pair of tight-fitting, cuffed blue jeans. This way, the top really pops, and neither object clashes with the other.

Extra bonus points to those who manage to find a blouse (like the one above) in that exact Pantone shade (15-0343)! It’s a lot harder than it looks, folks.

Stick to select pieces

If you can’t wear it, tote it.

Products: Plain Bag – Bloomingdale’s | Earring – Charming Charlie | Boots – Zappos | Bracelet – JCPenney | Print Bag – ASOS | Cap – ASOS | Scarf – Amazon

Not everyone looks good in green—and that’s OK, too. If you’d rather not bear too close a resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West, try choosing small accessories that’ll give you that glowing Greenery vibe. (For best results, match one to an otherwise plain outfit.)

My personal favorites are the leaf print backpack and the olive rain boots! They’re both eye-popping and practical.

Air out a green dress

Cheat by wearing non-Greenery greens.

Products (Top Left to Bottom Right): Stripe – Nordstrom | Button – Macy’s | Lace – LuLu’s | Dark Olive – LuLu’s | Turtleneck – H&M | Khaki – H&M | Halter Top – Modcloth | Bright – Zappos

For a totally casual approach to Pantone’s color of the year, any green will do. From a light forest to the darkest of emeralds, we’re giving you a free rein with Greenery, with just one teensy catch: we’re asking you to adopt the go-green lifestyle while you’re at it.

Remember, the point of this Color of the Year is to embrace the environmentally-friendly mindset alongside the trend, not just to wear Greenery for novelty’s sake! So feel free to wear whatever shade of green that you want this year, but take care to also recycle, reuse, and restore items in your own wardrobe (and life) while doing do. The earth will thank you.

Thoughts?

Are you a fan of Pantone’s 2017 color of the year? Will you wear Greenery? Is there anything specific you want College Fashion to cover this semester?

Let us know in the comments box down below!