Mastering Bold Hues: Laurel Pantin's Guide to Vibrant Spring Styling
Laurel Pantin, a celebrated fashion writer, editor, and entrepreneur, is introducing her monthly style column, "Ask Earl," on Vogue Shopping. Known for her impeccable taste that balances practicality with individuality, Pantin aims to simplify daily dressing by helping readers navigate their personal style. This new feature builds upon her successful Substack newsletter, "Earl Earl," and her Beverly Hills boutique, Earl IRL, where she offers one-on-one styling consultations. Her expertise lies in enabling individuals to curate wardrobes that exude a contemporary feel without succumbing to fleeting trends, ultimately fostering self-expression through clothing.
For her inaugural column, Pantin delves into the world of color, a topic she passionately incorporates into her own daily ensembles. She notes the recent prevalence of bold, primary colors on runways from esteemed designers such as Loewe, Celine, and Dries van Noten. Acknowledging that vibrant shades can be daunting for many who have become accustomed to a palette of beiges and neutrals, Pantin presents several innovative approaches to embracing these lively hues.
Pantin challenges the conventional notion of a "pop of color," which she often finds to be superficial. Instead, she advocates for a more integrated approach, suggesting that bright garments be paired with other colors rather than stark black or white. For instance, she demonstrates how a vibrant yellow-green sweater can be harmoniously styled with a deep navy suit, softening the bright tone and creating a cohesive yet striking look. The addition of a bright blue accessory further elevates the outfit, tying the different colorful elements together seamlessly.
For those new to incorporating brights, Pantin suggests using beige as a foundational element. She views beige as an excellent canvas for vibrant shades, allowing them to shine without being overwhelming. By combining a few bold colors with beige pieces, such as a cobalt tee and a lavender sweatshirt with a beige blazer and jeans, the ensemble achieves a balanced yet colorful aesthetic. This method allows for experimentation with brighter tones while maintaining a sense of elegance.
Another strategy Pantin highlights is the monochromatic look. This technique involves dressing in head-to-toe color, but with a twist: varying textures within the same color family. She cites the example of deep red satin bias-cut pants paired with a similarly toned poplin shirt. The contrasting textures create visual interest, and the single color choice eliminates the complexity of matching different shades, resulting in a polished and expressive outcome with minimal effort. This approach proves that bold can also be effortlessly chic.
Pantin encourages readers to trust their intuition when it comes to color choices. She likens the process to decorating a home, where a collection of personally beloved items naturally forms a cohesive and tasteful environment. Her own style exemplifies this philosophy, as she freely combines an egg-yolk yellow tee, an electric blue polo, and aloe-green pants, asserting that if individual pieces resonate with one's taste, they will ultimately harmonize when worn together. This confident mixing, even of shades not typically combined in a mood board, showcases a strong, personality-driven style. Her advice boils down to: don't overthink it; let your impulses guide you to discover your authentic personal style.