I wonder how unpopular my opinion is when I say, I’ve been pretty disappointed with Pantone’s Color of the Year choices these last couple of years. Marsala? Meh. Greenery? A beautiful shade of green, but alas, my closet shows no evidence of the hue. And now, Ultra Violet.

I look at purple like this: You love it, or you don’t. And I don’t. What I do love about Pantone’s selection this year is the way it’s presented, however: “A realm of mystery and cosmic discovery, alongside an attitude of nonconformity and spirituality.” It’s one of the more meaningful descriptions as of late in my opinion, which is plenty satisfying even if I do find that I’m not enthralled with the color itself.

But will we really see purple everything in 2018? I’m doubtful. I think it’s really easy to get excited about the Color of the Year announcement, but just as easy to sort of forget about it. Meanwhile, other hues organically (or, seemingly so, which, most likely, is not the case), seep into our lives—and our closets.

I could never claim to have any more knowledge than Pantone (quite the opposite, in fact!) when it comes to proposing the year’s hottest hues, but I can take a few educated guesses at what might peak our interest this coming year. While I do hope that Ultra Violet gets its due this year, simply for what it is meant to represent, here are three other colors that could give it a run for its money in 2018.

Rosa earring in 14k yellow gold with ruby and pink sapphires, $210 (sold as single); Porter Gulch

Bright, Bold Pink. We’ve been enjoying the lighter, powdery shades of pink—millennial pink—for the last couple of years, but I think the feminine hue is ready to move in a more electric direction. As the women’s movement continues to be strong—and necessary—this seemingly “girly” shade will take no prisoners.

It’s bold, it’s grown up, and it doesn’t mess around, but it still prides itself in its beauty, because—darn it!—it can. Evidence of its rise in popularity was strong on the Spring 2018 runways, from Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford to Roksanda and Marni. Bonus for pairing it with colors like red and orange, for an energizing splash of super brights.

Rose Nereides ring in 18k rose gold vermeil with 12 ct. lab-grown pink sapphire oval and 6 cts. t.w. lab-grown amethyst, pink sapphires, peridot, blue topaz, citrines, coral, and diamonds, £1,290 ($1,725); Anabela Chan

Drop earrings in 18k yellow gold with pink tourmaline, $4,730; Amáli Jewelry

Sophia ring in 18k yellow gold with 4.91 ct. orangey-pink tourmaline and 1.46 cts. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Erica Courtney

Manette ring in 18k rose gold with enamel, price on request; Spallanzani

Red. True red—not burgundy, not brick, not oxblood, but that blue-red shade that flatters everyone. This goes right along with the sentiment of bright pink (and looks good paired with it, too). It’s an emotional hue, associated with passion and power, but it has its controversies, too.

A phenomenon dubbed the “red-dress effect” shows the link between women wearing red and men finding them more sexually appealing and open to an intimate encounter (ugh), while a 2014 article from Time suggests that women who sport red clothing are perceived by other women as their sexual rivals. Equally ridiculous. Which is exactly why red should dominate the year—women can wear whatever color they want, whenever the heck they want, for whatever reason (and news flash: the majority of those reasons have nothing to do with sexual advances).

In a completely unrelated instance, the new Star Wars movie was positively riddled with references to the hue, and no matter what you make of the meaning (the struggle between good and evil, danger, what have you), it seems effectively permanent in one’s mind after witnessing the epic film. Bring on the red.

Earrings with ruby and diamonds, price on request; Butani

Lotus necklace in yellow gold with ruby, price on request; Amrapali

Ring in platinum with 3.28 ct. certified ruby and 0.94 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Andreoli

 

Ring with yellow and white diamonds, price on request; Harry Kotlar

Yellow. Bright, sunny yellow has been toying with us for years now—it pops up on the red carpet in waves (remember the 2012 Emmy Awards and all of that yellow from the 2016 Golden Globes?). We obsess, then move on.

But I’m rooting for it to have a more permanent place in 2018, in both that bright, Big Bird hue, just as much as a soft, pastel shade. The latter hue was seen on the runway from designers like Loewe and Rochas, while Carolina Herrera and Mary Katrantzou went brighter. The “trend” has let us down before, so I’m not so much predicting it as I am hoping for it—I’ll even accept shades of mustard.

Cirque kite earring jackets in 14k yellow gold with lemon quartz, price on request; Jane Taylor Jewelry

Ring in 18k white and yellow gold with 1.54 ct. pear-shape yellow diamond, 0.49 ct. t.w. round yellow diamonds, and 0.78 ct. t.w. white diamonds, $34,313; Yael Designs

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