From our special correspondent in the hype,
“There are no more seasons, my good lady.” For centuries, autumn had a monopoly on shimmering colors. The leaves bursting with orange, red and yellow, the special light of the September-October evenings. But now another season is taking over the flashiness: winter. Do not hope for anything from the sky, as gray as it is gloomy, nor from the trees, orphans of all greenery… It is rather on the heads that color buds. Especially in this chilly week, where neon pink, firecracker red or bright yellow hats are blooming.
Such colors were almost unthinkable even a decade ago, and would have condemned you to the court of fashion faux pas for excess kitsch. After having declined all shades of blue, black and gray, fashion is opening up again to more daring shades. Sophie Malagola, designer and former collections director at DIM and Etam, analyzes for 20 Minutes : “There is a gradual return of color, but only on accessories. Most of our wardrobe remains focused on sober colors and we will allow ourselves a flashy detail. Colorful sneakers in summer, a firecracker banana in spring for the first festivals, and a flashy hat in winter. »
Sports and accessories
This return of color is partly explained by the trend sportswear, latest development of streetwear, explains our expert. Sportswear is becoming more and more part of everyday and urban life, and is more easily available in colors than urban clothing. It’s the pants theorem: you’ll find pink or yellow jogging pants much more easily than chinos or jeans in these colors. It’s the same for the hat. The garish version, worn on the ski slopes, is now exported to the city.
“I could never wear pants or an entirely pink jacket,” admits Camille, 32, who nevertheless walks the streets of Montpellier with a hat of this same color. “It’s much lighter,” she explains. It brings a little joy without seeming like a marshmallow candy or a Barbie toy. »
All pink being equal
That’s it, the name is out. It is indeed difficult to miss the cinematic tidal wave of the year to explain the trend. “There is a post-Barbie effect, but above all post-Ken,” explains Thomas Zylberman, fashion expert at the Carlin International trend office. “Pink has almost become a genderless color, wearable by both men and women. » And in the men’s wardrobe too, these are the accessories that convert best: tie, cap, sock…
Even if it means wearing pink and neon pink, you might as well do it in a suitable fabric, in this case knitwear, says Thomas Zylberman: “It’s a flexible, comfortable and adaptable material. This is why so many knitted hats or sweaters are colorful, much more suitable than clothes with more structured materials. »
Reversible clothes
Sweater, hat, fanny pack… All these colorful elements also have another major advantage. “They come off,” smiles the fashion expert. “This makes their use even more guilt-free, since we only wear them temporarily. Once inside, and especially at work, we find a sober look.” Very practical for Sébastien, a 34-year-old Parisian: “It’s ideal because it allows for a fashion outside the office and sober once in the open space. I don’t like being too visible at the office, so it’s perfect to have easily reversible accessories. »
And while citing the pragmatic reasons, Sophie Malagola concludes with the strong argument: “It was Christmas not long ago, and the hat is a simple gift, not too expensive, which does not have too much risk of displease. » Fashion at a lower cost and with less effort. If your eyes suffer from so much color, blame Santa Claus rather than the cold.