Why Experts Think Digital Lavender Will Be The 2023 Color Of The Year

Every year, we can count on companies like Pantone and Coloro to share the hues that will be trending in the fashion, beauty, and homeware industries. We always get so excited to discover which color will be the trendiest of them all, earning the Color of the Year title. Sometimes, Pantone's Color of the Year makes people do a double take because it's so unexpected, and other times we can guess which shade will win the title if it's already been super trendy.

Very Peri has been Pantone's Color of the Year for 2022 (via Pantone), and we weren't too surprised by this announcement, as we'd seen a lot of uplifting pops of periwinkle in fashion, makeup, and home decor before we heard the news. Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year really has been everywhere, as over 229,000 posts popped up when we searched #periwinkle on Instagram. Similarly, Coloro's Color of the Year was Orchid Flower, an "intense magenta" that "captures the appetite for joy and positivity." Believe it or not, the latter company's Color of the Year for 2023 might stay within the purple family at Digital Lavender, a soft yet chic pastel hue.

The world has been experiencing an abundance of stress and conflict in the 2020s. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court's Decision to overturn Roe V. Wade, and the terrifying crisis in Ukraine, these are difficult and unusual times for people all over the planet. Lavender can help you calm down when you're feeling stressed; it helps lower anxiety, improves sleep, and boosts overall moods (via Healthline). Thus, looking at or wearing the color lavender can be calming force.

According to the forecasting company, WGSN, Digital Lavender will be prominent because of its relations to health and wellness, along with escaping into the digital world. Thanks to the color's soothing vibe, WGSN expects the pastel hue to be significant in tangible and digital environments. "Digital Lavender, our Color of the Year for 2023 signifies that stability, serenity and digital escapism that so many of us have built into our recuperative rituals to both protect and improve our mental health in challenging times," Joanne Thomas, Coloro's Head of Content, told Cosmetics Business.

There's something sweet and pure about the lavender hue — it exudes a much-needed gentle vibe. "We anticipate challenges ahead. However, we believe consumers will seek out colours that they can engage with positively," Jenny Clark, the Head of Color at WGSN told Cosmetics Business. Therefore, it's no wonder why the Color of the Year for 2023 will likely be light and wholesome instead of dark and intense.

Not only does lavender provide a relaxing effect, but it's a beautiful, unique color that's already everywhere in the fashion world. For instance, more than 6,000 posts appeared when we searched #lavenderfasion on Instagram, and Digital Lavender hasn't even been recognized by Pantone yet. We saw lavender bottoms, a long lavender blazer, a lavender sleeveless top, a monochromatic lavender ensemble, cozy lavender sweaters, and a quirky lavender hat. Lavender outfits are ultra-trendy on TikTok, too. We watched an informative video on how to style lavender pants, a TikTok about a bold all-lavender outfit, someone trying on various lavender garments, and a more professional spin on the hue with a lavender suit.

Believe it or not, lavender is arguably even more popular in makeup than in fashion — over 7,000 posts are already dedicated to lavender makeup on Instagram at the time of writing. After all, there are countless ways to enhance your eyes using lavender eyeshadow. Since lavender is so light, eyeshadow in this hue is an excellent alternative to super bold, darker, or brighter purple shadows. For extra glamour, you can even opt for a shiny spin on lavender eyeshadow. And although lavender is traditionally light, more pigmented lavender eyeshadows can offer a more daring look. Lavender lipstick is also a fun choice, as is a pop of lavender under the eye for a non-traditional look.

So, are you ready to embrace lavender looks in 2023?