2021 Colors of the Year

ANNOUNCING THE PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2021

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating

A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.

I have been a lover of all things colorful for as long as I can remember. Those who know me closely can attest to some pretty vivid ensembles in my younger wardrobe. Whereas my absolute favorite color is purple, yellow is a very close second. I've been following Pantone for quite some time now, and they never fail to encourage and inspire me with seasonal color pallets, and an exceptional pick for top color each year.

Every year the top color is announced, I try every good luck ritual imaginable-hoping for yellow. They'd already given me my purple fix with 2014's Radiant Orchid, and 2018's Ultraviolet, but I wanted yellow! Not gold, not maize, not creamy butter...but YELLOW! An undeniable ray of sunshine! So just imagine this silly girl's utter delight when, on December 9th, 2020, the top color for the incoming year was announced, and it was a happy, stimulating, vibrant, "ILLUMINATING" shade of yellow!

I could not have been more excited!

Of course I must acknowledge this particular shade of gray as well. Not silvery, or too dark. Something steady and grounding. Like a good relationship or happy marriage, if you will. If the yellow seems too flighty, the gray brings it back down to earth, but in a way that still allows its brightness to shine.

Although this combination of colors is in no way new, I think it was a necessary choice to usher us into this new year with a bright and positive outlook.

For more on the Pantone Color Institute, click here!