Wearing wine
Tips for making a splash in the color of the year
W ith its robust, earthy blend of brown and wine-red shades, Marsala, Pantone’s color of the year for 2015, brings a breath of intoxicating style to this year’s fashion runways — and to the lives of ordinary women across the globe.
“Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Inspired by Italy’s famous fortified wine, the rich hue of Marsala evokes thoughts of flavorful dishes, of sultry beauty, of the natural goodness of nature.
“Marsala, being an earthy tone, is flattering for all women,” said Allie Isom, makeup artist for EL Clinical Esthetics in Conway. “It blends with every skin color, whether you have more olive tones or more pink tones.”
Whether adding a pop of Marsala with a carefully chosen accessory or going “all the way” with a wine-toned ensemble, women can easily incorporate the color into their wardrobes.
For a chic, trendy look, try pairing a Marsala blouse with edgy leather leggings and cheetah-print booties — or team a wine-colored jacket with a gray sweater and faded denim jeans, suggested Ashton Hawk, sales associate for Tickled Pink in Conway.
“Almost any color can be paired with Marsala,” said Abby King, owner of HipSway in Conway. “I would pair almost any solid and almost any pattern with this color. My personal favorite pattern would be leopard.”
Marsala can be found everywhere in the fashion world this spring, from floral prints and stripes to solids and textures. For a fresh, innocent look, choose a floral-print dress with splashes of wine; then add a bold touch with a Marsala sash. Or for a night out on the town, team sexy leather leggings with a flowing tunic in a rich shade of earthy reddish-brown. Finish the ensemble with a chunky statement necklace and high-heeled booties.
“I am always a fan of jewel tones,” Hawk said. “I think pairing Marsala with hues of royal blue, plum or mustard could be very flattering.”
Bringing runway style to everyday life is not limited to garments and accessories. Shades of Marsala are appearing on makeup palettes of women the world over.
“Unlike a brighter red, many women can feel more comfortable and confident wearing this richer, red-brown tone of Marsala, especially on the lips,” said Brandi Cooper, owner of Merle Norman & More in Morrilton. “Marsala on nails adds a great pop of color, and even a hint of Marsala in hair adds rich texture.”
Isom agreed, adding that applying a Marsala-hued lip liner around a nude lipstick and softly blending the edges creates an intriguing look. For the eyes, she suggested creating a smoky look with nude in the inner corners, a taupe base and Marsala for the outer corners and crease.
“Marsala can be paired with so many colors,” Cooper said. “Neutral tones are great to make the color pop, but other colors — such as gold tones, teal and turquoise — complement the color well. You can even pair it with navy or brighter-blue and gray tones.”
Choose matte-finish products for a more sophisticated look, or look for shimmering metallics to create a sultry effect.
No matter what your style, from elegant to trendy, adding a splash of Marsala is a great way to bring high fashion to everyday life.