These days everyone wants to live green (eco-friendly) and have green (cash). But with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, how about just wearing green?
Green stands out even without any symbolism. For proof, check out first lady Michelle Obama’s recent appearance in a dress made of a stunning shade of emerald. The color signifies renewal, forward-thinking and an awareness of the environment, says designer Kai Milla, who made Mrs. Obama’s dress for the tribute to Stevie Wonder, Milla’s husband.
Emerald makes a bold statement, especially the one used for this particular dress, which was iridescent and had “the meat” of some red and black threads, Milla says. But it’s rarely a hue that overpowers the wearer.
Even if emerald isn’t right for you, there probably is a shade of green out there that is.
A lot has to do your own coloring, says Shaun Kearney, creative director at Cynthia Steffe, who used a kelly green for his current spring collection and just previewed several darker green styles for fall.
“Hunter is good for different skin tones. I think it’s very versatile with hair color and skin color,” he says. “You get a pure, old Hollywood vibe with pale skin, and almost an exotic Amazonian vibe with darker skin or darker hair.”
For daytime looks, green can be chic and sophisticated with gray or mushroom, he suggests, but it’s the darker, jewel-tone greens that provide the drama at night.
Green is good enough for the red carpet, too: Witness mint green on Sarah Jessica Parker at this year’s Oscars, bottle-green on Amy Adams’ Proenza Schouler gown last year or Kate Winslet’s sea-foam Valentino in 2007.
