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Pantone's Top Colors For Fall 2016 Are Here

Six new shades — including two different blues — made this year's list.

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Twice a year, the world's most fashionable people descend on Manhattan for New York Fashion Week and, without fail, Pantone manages to steal the show.

The color authority releases a list of the colors during the week-long style summit that will define the upcoming season, and this year's batch, which includes six brand new Pantone colors, is so beautiful we're already craving autumn.

According to the color authority, the ten-shade palette was inspired by a "desire for tranquility, strength, and optimism," and it includes several classic fall hues, such as mustard yellow, gray, and taupe.

A few of the hues — including a vibrant fuchsia — come as a surprise though, especially considering the earthier shades Pantone favored last year. Two colors in particular are poised to dominate our homes and our closets come fall 2016 — the new blues, Riverside and Airy Blue.

According to Refinery 29, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said the blue hues are a continuation of the soothing, calming effect of 2016's colors of the year.

"If you look at this season's entire palette, the idea of comforting blues coming to the top of the list again shows that people are still searching for that reassurance," she said.

Check out all ten autumnal shades below.

Rectangle, Azure, Electric blue, Slope, Parallel, Aqua, Paper product, Envelope, Paper, Square,
Pantone

Pantone predicts that this cool, yet strong hue, will be one of the hottest shades come fall. "This color says 'repose' and 'calmness.' It's not as serious as navy or as bright as cobalt," Eiseman told Women's Wear Daily.

Blue, Text, Line, Electric blue, Slope, Stationery, Rectangle, Azure, Aqua, Parallel,
Pantone

Eiseman cites the "serenity and versatility" associated with this light shade as being instrumental in its popularity.

Text, Rectangle, Parallel, Paper, Square, Triangle,
Pantone

While gray is always a popular color choice in the chillier months, Sharkskin has an edge that makes it stand out from other neutrals. "As its name implies, it is meant to help people toughen up," Eiseman said.

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Text, Red, Line, Rectangle, Carmine, Pattern, Colorfulness, Slope, Parallel, Maroon,
Pantone

Aurora Red is one of the more vibrant colors that will be popular in fall. Pantone describes it as being "warm, sensual, and immediately pleasing to the eye."

Brown, Rectangle, Tan, Beige, Parallel, Paper product, Paper, Stationery, Document, Square,
Pantone

This trusty fall hue may be the most versatile of the fall colors, as it pairs well with every other shade on the list. And according to Pantone, it's "hearty, pleasing and approachable."

Text, Red, Line, Pattern, Rectangle, Carmine, Maroon, Parallel, Paper, Paper product,
Pantone

Dusty Cedar is fall's answer to Rose Quartz, thanks to its warmer, more complex take on pink. "It's not one of the obvious colors — it's the offshoot of a lovely adaptation of a color," Eiseman said.

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Green, Line, Slope, Teal, Rectangle, Parallel, Turquoise, Paper product, Paper, Square,
Pantone

According to Pantone, this elegant shade "displays a brightness, panache and depth of color that elevates it from more natural greens."

Yellow, Text, Line, Paper product, Rectangle, Paper, Parallel, Stationery, Material property, Envelope,
Pantone

While Spicy Mustard may sound like a standard ballpark condiment, according to Pantone, it's actually an "exotic," "zesty," "uplifting" shade that's perfect for fall. (Plus, it looks a lot like one of our favorite colors: Marigold.)

Brown, Text, Red, Line, Orange, Rectangle, Carmine, Slope, Colorfulness, Pattern,
Pantone

This neutral, earthy hue is always popular come autumn, and though it feels similar to orange, "Potter's Clay is a lot more subtle, grounded and rooted," according to Eiseman.

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Text, Purple, Magenta, Pink, Violet, Line, Rectangle, Lavender, Colorfulness, Parallel,
Pantone

While this bold shade isn't typically associated with fall, it's actually quite versatile thanks to its combination of pink and purple, according to Pantone.

Headshot of Bridget Mallon
Bridget Mallon
Bridget Mallon is a writer, editor, and content strategist with more than a decade of experience in the lifestyle space. She's worked at and led editorial strategy for home sites like The Spruce, MyDomaine, HGTV, Elle Decor, and Apartment Therapy and her words have appeared on Wondermind, Well+Good, The Everygirl, and Sunset.com. When she's not testing out new products or covering the latest trends, you can find her listening to folk music, getting lost in a book store, or working "Arrested Development" quotes into everyday conversations.
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