Future Strategies

Global Colour Forecast S/S

23
As the world emerges from the disruption and constraints
of the pandemic, colour will become a symbol of self-
expression, optimism and balance. This cross-industry
forecast captures the shades that will resonate the most
with consumers in S/S 23

Jenny Clark
04.01.21 · 19 minutes

WGSN Original Image

Overview
Global Colour S/S 23

Our S/S 23 colours connect to a world still waking up and adjusting a er a long period
of restriction and uncertainty. As highlighted in our Emotional Plurality Index,
consumers will be managing multiple emotional states, and the colours they choose
will reflect this. As people find their feet, colours will connect them to feelings of
optimism and hope, but also stability and balance.
As consumers face new challenges, healing will become a built-in habit in their
everyday lives. We expect recuperation rituals to drive forward colours that feel
restorative and balancing, supporting physical and mental health.
Organic colour sources will gain importance as we head into 2023, connecting with the
New Romantics cohort highlighted in our Future Consumer forecast. This key
consumer group embraces the romance of nature and the countryside, and will be
drawn to wholesome, natural tones. They will seek low-impact and circular sources of
colour derived from plants and food waste.
Saturated tones will return, aligning with a mood of hope and optimism. The metaverse
will expand virtual worlds, enabling new forms of self-expression, and colour will play
a central role here. Expect hues that are transformative, making an impact in both
digital and physical realms.

@l4artiste

Work from Moroccan photographer Ismail Zaidy's project 3aila

1
 Yellow Freesia
* All colour names are speci c to WGSN. For colour codes, please refer to the following colour system reference pages: Coloro / Pantone TCX

14-0849 TCX 039-81-31

Sundial
16-1148 TCX 028-59-26
Vanilla Cake
13-1025 TCX 036-82-16
Silt
18-1027 TCX 025-35-14
Parchment Pearl Grey
16-0928 TCX 031-63-17 14-3906 TCX 157-72-02
Papaya Smoothie Jacaranda Flower
15-1245 TCX 026-70-32 17-3730 TCX 134-52-27
Rooibos Digital Lavender
18-1354 TCX 018-49-28 15-3716 TCX 134-67-16
Setting Sun Satin Sky
17-1361 TCX 018-54-37 18-3949 TCX 124-38-32
Terracotta Tranquil Blue
18-1441 TCX 017-43-20 17-4139 TCX 114-57-24
Orange Selenite Turquoise Sea
15-1333 TCX 018-65-21 14-4522 TCX 097-70-23
Peach Sand Cirrus Blue
15-1319 TCX 024-75-15 14-4318 TCX 105-75-12
Luscious Red Palm Leaf
17-1663 TCX 010-46-36 18-6018 TCX 071-36-17
Fuchsia Apple Mint
17-2034 TCX 152-45-32 14-6329 TCX 065-68-24
Wild Rose Green Fig

/ Pantone Coated / Archroma

16-3118 TCX 147-64-24 15-6317 TCX 062-71-14
Raspberry Pink Bay Leaf
19-1860 TCX 006-39-31 16-0430 TCX 051-62-15
Pink Punch Celery Juice
17-1736 TCX 005-57-28 12-0435 TCX 052-82-23
Vintage Pink Golden Beryl
16-1710 TCX 001-62-12 14-0750 TCX 043-71-30
refreshed, while orange expands into so peachy
saturated pastels and grounding neutrals. Pink is
This season we are introducing 30 new colours,

S/S 23. These tones include energising brights,

which represent 60% of the overall palette for

tones. Vanilla Cake replaces Butter as a pastel

yellow update, and blue shi s to lighter and
Seasonal colour
Global palette S/S 23

brighter hues.

2
Annual colour
Global palette S/S 23

Our annual palette carries over a percentage of

17-1563 TCX

16-1422 TCX

14-1208 TCX

17-1134 TCX

19-1016 TCX

13-0942 TCX
colours from previous seasons, reflecting the
importance of choosing tones with a more
responsible focus. These 11 versatile hues will

Butterscotch

Honeycomb
remain relevant throughout 2023, and should be

Italian Clay
Red Glow

Dark Oak
Oat Milk
used to guide your selection of transseasonal
colours. The palette includes saturated darks
such as Lazuli Blue and mid-tones such as Jade

030-69-10

029-50-19
022-62-16

034-76-27
013-43-37

017-23-07
from our A/W 22/23 forecast, and Red Glow, which
returns from S/S 22 as a primary red.

18-0430 TCX

17-0210 TCX

18-4834 TCX

19-3953 TCX

17-3802 TCX
Lazuli Blue
Verdigris
Moss

Jade

Zinc
158-56-00
048-39-19

092-38-21
062-57-10

122-25-24
* All colour names are speci c to WGSN. For colour codes, please refer to the following colour system reference pages: Coloro / Pantone TCX
/ Pantone Coated / Archroma

3
Long-term colour
Global palette S/S 23

Use this palette to guide your choice of long-term

19-1652 TCX

19-1220 TCX

17-0636 TCX

11-0103 TCX

11-4800 TCX
colours across product categories. Seven of
these colours have appeared consecutively in our

Unbleached Cotton
three most recent forecasts, and two colours are

Optic White
new additions: Midnight Blue replaces French

Bloodstone

Olive Oil
Sepia
Navy from previous seasons, and Digital Mist –
which appears in our S/S 21 forecast – replaces
Silver Grey.

036-89-06

037-93-00
044-52-13
011-27-26

019-27-14
18-4034 TCX

19-3932 TCX

13-4303 TCX

19-4203 TCX
Midnight Blue
Atlantic Blue

Digital Mist

Black
047-82-01

153-19-00
115-35-20

120-22-18

* All colour names are speci c to WGSN. For colour codes, please refer to the following colour system reference pages: Coloro / Pantone TCX
/ Pantone Coated / Archroma

4
Colour hues
Global palette S/S 23

This overview brings together the seasonal and Pink Red Orange Brown Yellow
annual palettes and highlights the balance of
hues. Pink expands this season, and orange again
broadens to incorporate more neutral tones.
Brown remains strong and includes a new beige.
Green and blue remain consistent and shi to
brighter mid-tones.

Green Blue Purple Grey

* For colour codes, please refer to the following colour system reference pages: Coloro / Pantone TCX / Pantone Coated / Archroma

5
Digital Lavender
Key colour S/S 23

Coloro / Pantone

134-67-16 15-3716 TCX

Why is it key? We predict the return of purple as a colour that will represent
wellness and digital escapism in 2023. Our Future Innovations forecast
highlights the growing importance of healing habits, where recuperation
rituals become a priority. Digital Lavender will connect with a growing focus
on mental health, signifying stability and balance. Already embedded in
digital culture, we expect this imaginative colour to converge across virtual
and physical worlds.
How to us e it: Digital Lavender is a gender-inclusive colour already
embedded in the youth market, and we expect it to broaden into all fashion
product categories by 2023. Its sensorial nature makes it ideal for self-care
rituals, healing practices and wellness products. This purple will also be key
for consumer electronics, digitised wellness products and experiences, WGSN original image

mood-boosting lighting and homewares.

Colour evolution

Lilac Tint Purist Lilac Lavender Silk Digital Violet Digital Lavender
S/S 21 A/W 21/22 S/S 22 A/W 22/23 S/S 23

6
Luscious Red
Key colour S/S 23

Coloro / Pantone

010-46-36 17-1663 TCX

Why is it key? Luscious Red signals the return of stimulating and digitised
brights. Red is a powerful hue with the ability to raise the heart rate, and taps
into feelings of desire, passion and empowerment. This particular shade has
a lightness and transiency which feels hyper-real, immersive and sensory. For
this reason we expect it to be key for digital-driven experiences and products.
How to us e it: Use Luscious Redʼs emotive power to engage and connect with
your customer. Its hyper-real nature makes it perfect for physical and digital
apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, packaging and homewares.
Apply as a carefully placed accent or as a bold singular hue.

WGSN original image

Colour evolution

Oxy Fire Red Glow Artisanal Red Luscious Red

S/S 21 and A/W 21/22 S/S 22 A/W 22/23 S/S 23

7
Sundial
Key colour S/S 23

Coloro / Pantone

028-59-26 16-1148 TCX

Why is it key? Organic, naturally derived colours will remain important as

consumers reconnect with the countryside. The earthy tone of Sundial will
appeal to the New Romantics cohort from our Future Consumer 2023
forecast, who are driven by a need to engage with cra , community,
sustainability and nature. This wholesome ochre yellow can also be naturally
sourced from food waste, plants and minerals.
How to us e it: Sundial is a practical yellow that will resonate across multiple
product categories. For apparel and accessories, pair it with neutrals or
elevate it with golden brights. Enhance the lustre and transform it into an
earthy metallic for colour cosmetics. Embrace Sundial's humble and
grounding quality when applying to textiles, paint colours and hard surfaces
for the home. WGSN original image

Colour evolution

Smoked Paprika Sundial

A/W 21/22 and A/W 22/23 S/S 23

8
Tranquil Blue
Key colour S/S 23

Coloro / Pantone

114-57-24 17-4139 TCX

Why is it key? Blue will remain an important hue in 2023, with focus shi ing to
bright mid-tones. Tranquil Blue is a mid-level colour that connects to
sustainable values, and it has a lightness and clarity that calls to mind the
elements of air and water. It also represents stillness and tranquility, which
consumers will be seeking to counterbalance overwhelming emotions.
How to us e it: This colour is already emerging in the premium womenswear
market, and by S/S 23 it will resonate across all fashion categories as a
contemporary update to midcentury blue. For interiors use this hue in bold
proportions, or accent it against grounding neutrals to bring balance to
spaces. Also use Tranquil Blue as an illuminating pastel update for
directional colour cosmetics and sustainable beauty packaging.
WGSN original image

Colour evolution

Arctic Blue Tranquil Blue

A/W 22/23 S/S 23

9
Verdigris
Key colour S/S 23

Coloro / Pantone

092-38-21 18-4834 TCX

Why is it key? Verdigris is a saturated colour that takes its name from the
greenish pigment formed on oxidised copper. It sits between green and blue,
signalling a shi towards invigorating digitised shades. This is a nostalgic
colour that harks back to 1980s sportswear and outdoor apparel. Going
forward, we expect Verdigris to be reinterpreted as a progressive youth-led
bright.
How to us e it: Verdigris is already emerging in the casualwear and streetwear
market, and we expect it will have a broader appeal by 2023. Use Verdigris as
a transseasonal teal update for all fashion categories. For beauty, apply it as a
directional bright for colour cosmetics. Its bold appeal also makes it a great
colour for retail spaces, statement furniture and decorative accessories.
WGSN original image

Colour evolution

Deep Ocean Verdigris

A/W 21/22 and S/S 22 A/W 22/23 and S/S 23

10
In uences
Re k Anadol
Re k Anadol
Anadol's installation at the NGV
Triennial in Melbourne, titled
Quantum Memories, marries art
with technology. The colourful
artworks are made using Google
quantum computing so ware,
creating unique expressions
of more than 200 million nature-
related images.
11
Feng Chuchen
Feng Chuchen Studio
Chinese multimedia artist Feng
Chuchen has created a piece
called Seeing the Music for an
exhibition in Shanghai, titled Ode
to the Great Beauty: Memories
and Dialogue with Yungang
Grottoes. In it, he reimagines
musical performers based on
carvings in the Yungang
Grottoes, marrying digital
techniques with ancient
inspirations.
@derrick_o_boateng
Derrick Ofosu Boateng
This Ghanian artist photographs
everyday scenes on his iPhone,
enhancing them with vibrant
brights. He most recently
worked with Google Chrome to
create a collection of colourful
browser themes for Black
History Month.
Osgemeos
Osgemeos
World-renowned Brazilian
graffiti artists Osgemeos
exhibited more than 1,000 works
at the Pinacoteca de São Paulo
museum. The exhibition, titled
Secrets, celebrated the dreamy
and colourful quality of their
figurative work.
Net ix
Bridgerton
The Netflix series Bridgerton
accelerated the # regencycore
trend and sparked a renewed
interest in pastels. With eight
books and filming of the next
series starting this spring, we
expect it to have a lasting
impact.
1 234
Action points
Be responsible with colour
usage
Take a responsible approach
to choosing colours for your palette by
balancing longevity and newness – 40%
of the colours in the S/S 23 forecast
have been carried over from previous
seasons.
12
Build emotional connections
Connect with the emotions of your
consumers by selecting colours that
will reflect their attitudes and
behaviours. Brights will be essential as
people feel more optimistic, but
grounding, restful colours will also
remain relevant in tumultuous times
Minimise your environmental
impact
Where possible, use environmentally
friendly, low-impact chemicals and
technologies that require less water
and energy in production. Be
transparent and make your consumers
aware of the steps you are taking to
minimise the impact of the colours you
use
Choose colour for digital worlds
As designing for digital worlds becomes
the norm, consider how your
consumersʼ expectations have evolved.
It will be essential to ensure your
colours are impactful physically but
also digitally, across a variety of
platforms and environments
 037-93-00 153-19-00
036-89-06 047-82-01
044-52-13 120-22-18
019-27-14 115-35-20
011-27-26 158-56-00
036-82-16 157-72-02
017-23-07 134-52-27
025-35-14 134-67-16
029-50-19 122-25-24
031-63-17 124-38-32
030-69-10 114-57-24
026-70-32 097-70-23
018-49-28 105-75-12
* This is a reference guide only. Colours on computer screens vary. Find out more about Coloro here
018-54-37 092-38-21
017-43-20 071-36-17
018-65-21 065-68-24
022-62-16 062-57-10
024-75-15 062-71-14
013-43-37 048-39-19
010-46-36 051-62-15
152-45-32 052-82-23
147-64-24 043-71-30
Colour reference S/S 23

006-39-31 039-81-31
005-57-28 028-59-26
Coloro 001-62-12 034-76-27

13
 11-4800 TCX 19-4203 TCX
11-0103 TCX 13-4303 TCX
17-0636 TCX 19-3932 TCX
19-1220 TCX 18-4034 TCX
19-1652 TCX 17-3802 TCX
13-1025 TCX 14-3906 TCX
19-1016 TCX 17-3730 TCX
18-1027 TCX 15-3716 TCX
17-1134 TCX 19-3953 TCX
16-0928 TCX 18-3949 TCX
14-1208 TCX 17-4139 TCX
15-1245 TCX 14-4522 TCX
18-1354 TCX 14-4318 TCX
* This is a reference guide only. Colours on computer screens vary. Find out more about Pantone here
17-1361 TCX 18-4834 TCX
18-1441 TCX 18-6018 TCX
15-1333 TCX 14-6329 TCX
16-1422 TCX 17-0210 TCX
15-1319 TCX 15-6317 TCX
17-1563 TCX 18-0430 TCX
17-1663 TCX 16-0430 TCX
17-2034 TCX 12-0435 TCX
16-3118 TCX 14-0750 TCX
Colour reference S/S 23

19-1860 TCX 14-0849 TCX

Pantone TCX

17-1736 TCX 16-1148 TCX

16-1710 TCX 13-0942 TCX

14
 7541 C 426 C
663 C 420 C
7503 C 2767 C
7595 C 2152 C
188 C 7653 C
7401 C 435 C
Black 5 C 2655 C
7603 C 2645 C
7574 C 288 C
7508 C 2726 C
4685 C 284 C
1485 C 305 C
7580 C 550 C
* This is a reference guide only. Colours on computer screens vary. Find out more about Pantone here
1655 C 323 C
7600 C 343 C
487 C 360 C
7514 C 7494 C
7415 C 558 C
179 C 581 C
Red 032 C 5777 C
675 C 372 C
236 C 7752 C
Colour reference S/S 23
Pantone Coated

1945 C 122 C
1777 C 7570 C
694 C 143 C

15
 660-120 660-940
215-140 659-140
548-580 431-920
543-760 330-720
104-920 658-530
214-240 658-330
542-820 434-370
545-880 434-260
212-810 432-870
213-420 432-550
546-270 330-380
211-430 327-340
108-750 328-160
* This is a reference guide only. Colours on computer screens vary. Find out more about Archroma here
108-680 326-840
107-720 322-820
109-240 321-330
110-310 550-450
110-150 550-380
106-670 217-920
105-580 218-710
440-570 218-250
438-360 215-680
Colour reference S/S 23

103-760 214-370
Archroma

103-460 212-670
101-310 213-240

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Colour methodology
WGSN's S/S 23 Global Colour Forecast is created by our
international team of forecasting experts, who
collaborate throughout the research, colour selection
and palette-building process. Our contributors come
from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, and share
insights on the taste-makers, social movements,
influential events and new brands from their region,
resulting in a truly global view of the forces that are
shaping trends. All of this research feeds into our
Global Colour Forecast, as well as our three annual
flagship forecasts – Future Innovations, Future Drivers
and Future Consumer.
17
Each tone in the Global Colour Forecast is selected
directly from the Coloro library of 3,500 contemporary
hues. Each of the forecast's key colours is then
rigorously tested by Coloro experts to ensure
achievability across substrates and acceptable
fastness, so you can trust that they are achievable
before lab dipping.
Coloro is a beautifully designed system backed by a
technically sound approach. It offers physical and
digital products, an extensive colour library, and expert
advisory services. Find out more here.
Our palette is broken down into three sections –
seasonal, annual and long-term. We carry over a
percentage of tones from previous seasons to reflect
the importance of choosing colours responsibly. We
recognise that each industry has a different need, and
this strategy provides an indication of the longevity of a
colour.
All colour names used in this report are unique to
WGSN and they are sense-checked by our Equality
Vision Team.
We also reference e-commerce and retail data to track
the path of a colour and inform our decision-making
process.
WGSN’s forecasts are created by our global team of experts
Colour forecas ting team
Jenny Clark, Head of Colour
Helen Palmer, Head of Materials and
Textiles, Fashion
Sara Maggioni, Head of Womenswear,
Fashion
Erin Rechner, Head of Kidswear, Fashion
Angela Baidoo, Senior Strategist,
Womenswear, Fashion
Jane Collins, Senior Strategist,
Accessories & Footwear, Fashion
18
Contr ibutors APAC
Nick Paget, Senior Strategist, Amer icas Lupi Yao, Trend Director, China
Menswear, Fashion Catalina Marín, Account Manager, Claire Lam, Account Manager, Hong
Yvonne Kostiak, Senior Strategist, LATAM Kong
Active, Fashion Sofia Martellini, Content Manager, Start Yianni Giovanoglou, Client Services
Gemma Riberti, Head of Interiors, WGSN by WGSN Specialist, Australia
Lifestyle and Interiors
Afr ica
Clare Varga, Head of Beauty Mia Du Plessis, Account Manager, Africa
Theresa Yee, Senior Strategist, Beauty
Joanne Thomas, Head of Content,
Coloro