For the last 20 years, Pantone, the world’s leading authority on color, has selected a color each year based on trend forecasting in fashion, design, art and socio-economic conditions. And this year’s Pantone Color of the Year is none other than Classic Blue.
Pantone describes the hue as one that “instills calm, confidence and connection” while also “highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.” It also denotes that it evokes natural elements like the night sky — and the indigo dye that gives our denim its signature color.
Of course, as a company who works with A LOT of blue jeans, Pantone’s 2020 pick is a beloved – and familiar – favorite. But while our designers may be experts on the many facets of indigo, predicting the hottest colors for both bottoms and tops can be tricky.
“Most trends and details on garments come from street style and the runway. But color has less to do with trends and is more of a response to mood,” said Jenny Carlin, director of Women’s Tops Design. “That’s why it is so interesting to see this Pantone pick.”
Working from some of the same natural element themes that Pantone noted with Classic Blue, Jenny said the design teams have been doing a lot of designs inspired by nature. “We are all concerned about what’s happening to the environment, and design can help keep that part of the conversation,” she noted.
Jenny added that Pantone’s choice of blue this year mirrors a previous pick. “Pantone also picked a blue in 2000, so it’s a color of transition,” she said.
Despite that 2020 label, don’t expect Classic Blue to go anywhere after this coming year. As our historian Tracey Panek noted, “on any given day, almost half the world’s population is wearing blue jeans.”
