Pantone Speaks: Iron Is the New Black

Now that jilted Bachelor star, Melissa Rycroft, is making her much-deserved comeback on Dancing With The Stars, we can all go back to our normal routine of OctoMom judging and fashion hunting. To that end, jewelry hounds, I give you the eagerly awaited Pantone 2009 Fall Color Report.

Who cares if it’s only March 10th?

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to collect feedback on prominent collection colors, color inspiration and color philosophy. The information is then used to create the Pantone Fashion Color Report that serves as a reference tool throughout the year for fashion enthusiasts, reporters and retailers alike.

"The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers' eyes and entice them to buy."

Fall 2009 brings us a “true red” in American Beauty, which is said to go with all skin tones. Purple Heart continues the hue’s trend as a must-have in your wardrobe, and the more subdued Honey Yellow provides an interesting contrast. Iron as the new Black will make traditional basics more interesting, and the season’s signature color, Burnt Sienna, brings back earthy oranges into our color lexicon.

So what jewelry should we wear to make the Pantone people proud? Yellow gold continues to be a hue that compliments the earth tones hitting the runways, and gemstones like amethysts and orangey citrine can add the right color combo to a basic look. And it goes without saying, but diamonds, of course, defy any Pantone prediction.

While you might not care that Crème Brulee is the new White or Majolica Blue is the new Navy, it’s always fun to see what the fashionistas are crowing on about this time of year. And here is a look at the Spring 2009 Pantone colors in case your concern for Melissa’s happiness has overshadowed your interest in what’s really important.