House of Colour’s thoughts on Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2024 Peach Fuzz

Pantone has decreed the colour peach as their 25th Colour of the Year. 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is to capture the warm, fuzzy feeling we're to experience this year and our expert stylist, Fiona Ingham, has broken down her thoughts on the colour and how you can embrace it in 2024! 

Another year, another Pantone COTY!  Initially, I misread it as Peach Fizz, which seems more fun. Reminiscent of a delicious Bellini cocktail of precisely the same hue that I was introduced to in Venice many years ago. 

Each year, Pantone experts take soundings internationally in fields as diverse as political events, tech, travel destinations, sports, movies, fashion, design, and more to decide upon their Colour of the Year (COTY).

As a colour analyst, I always enjoy this annual event because it draws attention to colour and encourages a conversation about its importance. As Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, suggests, their choice "highlights colour’s role as a silent language. On any given day, the colours you wear affect your mood and how you want others to perceive you. Colour is an important message you send to the world." So true! Something that encourages people to consider wearing colour instead of the UK’s ubiquitous black, white and grey is to be welcomed!

Peach Fuzz contrasts markedly with the bright, cool-based Viva Magenta of 2023; related to Barbie Pink and still widely available in clothing. That shade was chosen for its vibrancy to cheer us up post-pandemic. For 2024, Pantone feels that a soft, gentle, calming vibe is required, aimed at encouraging us to nurture ourselves and others. Wow! A big ask for a colour! But this is true for every colour given pride of place as COTY.

Should you go for it? Will it work in your wardrobe? Unlike some previous choices such as 2022’s intense purple Veri Peri, which is safe for all, Peach Fuzz is a colour that can totally wash out some skin tones. If you haven’t had your colours done and are considering investing in a peach-toned item, hold it against your face with a critical eye to ensure it truly flatters. Although we always advise having a personal consultation in one of our naturally lit studios if you want to discover the colours that truly suit your skintone! 

It works for the warm-based Springs and Autumns and will blend in with those palettes. The detailed colour rating that clients receive at a House of Colour appointment will tell whether this soft hue is excellent in large amounts or, as I will wear it with my Autumn colours, as just a pattern or an accessory. Peach tones in makeup will work well for these colour seasons too. Winters and Summers, you know to avoid it! It will clash with your cool skin tones and your colour palette. An equivalent soft but cool look could be Millennial Pink or Pantone’s Rose Quartz of 2019. Both are still around in clothing and makeup.

Pantone has already set up collaborations with companies producing ‘Peach Fuzz looks’ in varied products, including phones, trainers, toothbrushes, cosmetics, and even tea! A hairstylist commented that there are requests for peachy hair tones and already some brides are considering it as a variation on traditional whites and creams or as bridesmaid dresses.

For some of us, it might be better on the walls than around our necks as we might be able to enjoy its hygge feeling in décor. I was recently staying in a lovely old house where the bedrooms were painted a long time ago in exactly that shade, giving a soothing and peaceful feel. 
  
Peach Fuzz is a more challenging choice, but one we'll be seeing a lot of this year!  Will you be wearing it?