Wine is the New Black: 2011 Fashion Color Trend

When a fashion brand makes a piece in several colors, there are a handful of standards that tend to get made. These include neutrals like black, white, and grey as well as classic colors like red and yellow. For 2011, however, a deep burgundy color is showing up among the standards. Right: Casual mini dresses from Lanvin by Alber Elbaz

The hue, which some might also call maroon, is definitely not a perennial favorite. In fact, it seems to go through long periods of ostracizing by fashion-conscious dressers. Benjamin Moore calls it “Vintage Wine” and it’s receiving sweeping favor in interiors and design circles as well. In fashion it’s been a couple decades since this color was really hot and the time lapse has made it look fresh and modern from the runway to the rack to the sidewalk.

Wine shades are showing up on the covers of 2011′s first fashion magazine issues – in small details like makeup, typsetting, and accessories. This sets the tone, so to speak, for the whole year. Below: Elle Sweden (left), & Harper’s Bazaar China (right).

Designers have used wine for the gamut of apparel items, including separates, accessories, and dresses. The selection of gowns from the likes of Marchesa and Reem Acra suggests that the color is likely to be seen frequently on the red carpet come award season 2011. Click photos below for larger views.

The deep burgundy color is one particularly suited to men’s fashion, as it’s one that average men won’t be too frightened by. Will they go the full fashion mile and do a wine-color suede suit? Probably not most. A wine shirt or jacket, however, is entirely approachable.

The trend will also extend to beauty, especially in lipstick colors. Spring 2011 shows for Emmanuel Ungaro (below, left) and Louis Vuitton (below, right) featured models with deep wine lipstick. It’s a lovely color, but it’s prone to peaks and lows. So now that it’s in full force have fun with it!

When you’re ready to take on this color trend feel free to experiment and combine it with a few unexpected colors. Wine looks good with black and grey, but it is also surprisingly forgiving when combined with bright colors.

Other articles in this series:

• Color of the Year: Honeysuckle in Fashion 2011
• Citrus Yellow Sweetens 2011 Fashion
• Pantone COTY: A Fashion Retrospective

About Mary
Fashion editor Mary Egbula uses the shapes, motion, and most of all the color of apparel as her primary artist’s medium. Also publishing as Eighty Jane, much of her work seeks to go beyond aesthetics and discuss the social and cultural impact of fashion. She’s currently working on her first book, which was inspired by her blog, The Fashion Cult.com. Find out more at www.EightyJane.com.