I’m not sure how it’s possible but this is my FIFTH Color of the Year TV segment. What a fun ride this has been! I was surprised by Pantone’s choice of Living Coral for the 2019 Color of the Year but am loving how good it looks on so many skin tones.

How to wear coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly TV Segment Models

Read on for the full segment on how to work coral into your wardrobe, when to avoid it, and what to do with it if your immediate response when you saw the announcement was #hardpass.

How to Wear Living Coral

Click here or view below to watch the full Houston Life TV segment!

Living Coral

Coral is definitely a color we associate with fall but it can be worked in year round. Choose heavier fabrics like this cashmere poncho top and pair it with plum like these velvet skinnies for a fresh yet season appropriate look when it’s cold outside!

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Plum

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Plum and Snakeskin

Lilac and coral is another great combo if you are loving the purple but want to wear a more spring/summery version.

Thank you to Monkee’s of Houston for providing all the pieces of Elise’s look!

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Plum Details

Summertime Fun

When I asked people on social media what they thought of coral there were some pretty varied responses. Some love it, some hate it! For those who are nervous about it or feel like it’s not a great fit for their skin tone, a dress like this is great because it brings in the color, keeping your look fresh, without overwhelming you with one color. Pick an accessory in one of the minor colors of a dress like this and you instantly draw more attention to it.

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Patchwork Coral Johnny Was Dress

A great side effect of prints? Hides sweat when you are sweltering in the soon-to-be-summer heat!

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral Accessories

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral Patchwork Johnny Was Dress

What She’s Wearing
Dress | Earrings + Shoes – her own | Pom Pom Clutch

Leopard and Coral

The color you’re still mostly seeing in stores right now leans toward orange or poppy You’ll see it evolve into the lighter shades we typically thinking of when we think of coral as the year progresses. This version and the more true coral go great with the pattern of the moment – leopard.

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Leopard

Jumpsuits and rompers are not going away – if you’ve been hesitant to jump on the trend but like the look, make it happen! As with everything, there are hundreds of style variations. Look for the version that best flatters you – waist placement, hem length, and fabric choice details to name a few.

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Leopard Details

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral Jumpsuit and Leopard

What She’s Wearing
Jumpsuit (also available in black 😉)| Shoes – her own (similar) | Leopard jacket (collarless version here) | Necklace | Clutch (similar, similar)

Coral For Work?

Coral and all shades of blue are a great pairing. If you are thinking about it for work, unless you’re in a creative or unique role, you’ll most likely want to keep coral on the fringes of your wardrobe rather than going all out with it. Here we’ve worked it in with her accessories and this royal blue is a great pairing with coral.

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Blue

In the spring coral will pair great with sky blues/periwinkles, this summer you’ll see the traditional pairing of coral and turquoise and then in the fall, teal and coral. A coral and blue pairing for every season of the year!

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Blue Pairing

How to wear living coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Coral and Blue Details

What She’s Wearing
Bow Neck Sheath Dress (available in three colors) | Ankle Strap Heels (similar color) | Sunglasses | Tumbler

How to wear coral Houston Image Consultant Natalie Weakly Styled Models

What do you think? Are you going to work coral into your wardrobe or skip this summery hue? Take it from a professional, you can definitely find the right cool/warm/soft/light/deep version to go with your skin tone!

If you want help building a wardrobe you love, click here for services info and to book your closet or shopping session.