Viva Magenta: The Pantone Color of the Year

I’m teaming up with seven other bloggers today to showcase how to style Pantone’s new color of the year: Viva Magenta! I’ve done a handful of Pantone-themed posts in the past (Ultra Violet in 2018, Living Coral in 2019, and Illuminating and Ultimate Grey in 2021), but this is the first year where I can really tell magenta is the hot new thing—my Instagram feed and stores alike have already been flooded with the bold shade of pink. Like last year’s Very Peri hue, it’s safe to say magenta is one of the more popular Pantone colors and that it will be everywhere in 2023!

Here’s what Pantone has to say about the chosen color:

“Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

This year’s Color of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.”

Feeling inspired to try it for yourself?? I’ve rounded up some fun options to shop in the widget below! I really love the sweaters and those two-tone heels.

 
When magenta was announced as this quarter’s Magnificent 8 theme, my mind immediately jumped to this sheath dress—yes, dress—that I thrifted at my favorite store in Las Vegas a few years ago. I’ve only worn it twice so far, once to my friend’s college graduation and again to my sister-in-law’s bridal shower, but both events were in the summer. I wanted to find a way to style this dress differently for the cooler months. (I say that, but I’m now realizing this outfit is still very springy and certainly not appropriate for Denver winters. I considered adding a jacket on top but thought the polka dots were too cute to cover!)

My first thought for styling this dress for winter was throwing on a leather jacket on top and pairing it with black booties and tights. However, the dress has a high neckline and is made of a very summery fabric, so the jacket looked odd. I quickly shifted gears and decided the dress would be more suited for a spring look. I started playing around with various pieces in my closet and—voila—I got the idea to throw on this short sleeve polka dot sweater on top of the dress.

I stared in the mirror for several minutes trying to decide if the dress looked too bulky under the sweater, if the layers were unflattering, etc. I ultimately decided to take the pics anyway—you know my philosophy on how photos always reveal if an outfit is flattering or not—and I loved how the look turned out! The dress makes for such a cute “pencil skirt”… very bold like something Mindy in “The Mindy Project” would wear.

For accessories, I initially pictured the plain and simple—black heels, a black purse… you know the drill. But just like Viva Magenta is all about experimentation, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and opt for less expected accessories. I landed on these pastel yellow heels and a handbag that I purchased at an antique store for $9. I wasn’t sure if the light brown purse clashed with the yellow and magenta, but I ultimately decided all the pieces look really chic together. A woman actually stopped me while taking these photos to compliment the color scheme! That put a little more confidence in my step.

Overall, I think this is a really fun outfit that I definitely wouldn’t have put together had I not been prompted with the idea of magenta in January. Sure, I might not be wearing this to work next week with the frigid air that’s scheduled to roll in, but I can’t wait to rock this outfit a little later in the year. Perhaps my favorite part of the look is how vintage it feels—it reminds me of something my very stylish grandma would have worn in the 1950s.

 
How do you feel about the Pantone Color of the Year? All-in or a little apprehensive about such a bold shade? Either way, you should check out how my blogger friends wore Viva Magenta to get a lil’ extra inspiration. Just click on the links below to be redirected to their websites.

Let me introduce the other seven ladies of The Magnificent 8.

Mica of Away from the Blue   //   Roxanne of Glass of Glam   //   Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge   //   Rena of Fine Whatever   //   Eugenia of Age of Grace   //   Lesley of Jodie’s Touch of Style   //   Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style

We are showing that you can’t put an age on style!

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As always, thanks for stopping by the blog, and have a great rest of your day!

Miles of smiles,

Grace

Polka Dot Sweater: DR2 by Daniel Rainn, gifted by brand, last worn here | Magenta Dress: Thrifted, $15 ($7.50 per wear), last worn here | Yellow Heels: DSW, $45 ($45 per wear), last worn here | Black Sunglasses: Charming Charlie, $7 ($0.24 per wear), last worn here | Brown Purse: Antique mall, $9 ($1.00 per wear), last worn here