Pastels are changing the colours of autumn

Designers have lightened things up this season.The idea of soft colours might at first seem strange, but the look works quite well with darker cold-weather basics.By Harriett HendrenWhen autumn and winter truly set in, you might find yourself reaching for pastel-coloured sweaters and jackets, a fresh take on the season’s usual somber palette. Fall fashions historically feature deep emerald greens, plums and other jewel tones, but this year, designers have lightened things up.The fall 2013 runway shows were awash in Easter egg shades of daffodil yellow, powder blue, cotton-candy pinks and mints.At Celine, a designer outlet, roomy blush-coloured coats were paired with sleek wool shifts and light-grey, chunky-heeled ankle boots.At Proenza Schouler, another store, leather coats in rounded silhouettes were shown in a candy-coloured lavender, and modern drop-waist dresses featured barely-there hints of mint. The idea of candy colours in fall and winter might at first seem strange, but the look works quite well with darker cold-weather basics.Kentucky designer Sarah Jane Estes added a grey wool Peter Pan collar accented with black sequins to a pink floral baby-doll top. Pair it with tights or skinny jeans for an easy fall outfit.For a striking contrast, try a peach-coloured jacket over a black wool shift and booties. With a cool mint sheath, add a bit of textural interest with ornamented footwear, such as Sam Edelman’s studded Blair ballet slippers.Greys are another great way to play up a bright colour. Pair a pastel-accented long-sleeve top with grey wool shorts, and ground the outfit with a pair of moto-style black boots with silver studs.Accessories are a great way to add a finishing touch to a winter pastel. A crystal necklace with a blush-coloured top or frosty mint dress add a wintry sparkle to an outfit. Gold, either in a fun little clutch or maybe a stack of bold bangles, brings warmth to the look and is a chic alternative to the basic black bag.For classic winter style with a twist, add leather accents. We paired a feminine boucle pink dress with a natural-coloured leather clutch created by Lexington artist Matthew Cook of Borderstate Made. For added interest, we stacked a gold bubble bracelet with one of Cook’s leather wraps.That seems to be a winning recipe for wearing these winter hues: a mix of soft colours, a touch of metallics and some classic fashion ingredients such as leathers, basic blacks and greys. — Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT