Product Forecast

Women's Footwear &

Accessories Colour
Forecast S/S 23
A tantalising mix of energising brights and saturated
pastels creates a sense of optimism for womenʼs S/S 23
accessories and footwear, while timeless and grounding
neutrals deliver a strong sustainability message

Jane Collins
06.07.21 · 15 minutes

Sicky Magazine
Overview
Colour has an important role to play for 2023, aligning with our Emotional Purity
Index, which highlights how consumers will be managing emotional states a er long
periods of restriction and uncertainty. This will drive a need for versatile and
optimistic shades that also convey stability and balance.
For footwear and accessories categories, the palette is defined by two main
characteristics. The first sees a continuation of classic and restorative colours
defined by wholesome, natural tones, which link to longevity, healing as a built-in
habit, and the growing need for organic colour sources. The second focus is on joyful
and high-energy dopamine brights that align with a mood of hope and optimism.
Saturated tones are key here, and they evolve the conversation around digital design,
as transformative and metaverse-ready colours become increasingly important in a
virtual world.
S/S 23's edit of colours is taken from our Global Colour Forecast, which continues to
break down colours into seasonal, annual and long-term palettes. The following
pages explain why colours are key and provide direction on usages, including the
season's five key colours: Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue, Verdigris and Digital
Lavender, the latter being introduced as WGSN's Colour of the Year for 2023.

@tkees

1
Women's accessories and footwear colour
Palette S/S 23

Our S/S 23 palette consists of 30 seasonal and

16-1710 TCX

19-1860 TCX

16-3118 TCX

17-2034 TCX

17-1663 TCX

15-1319 TCX

15-1333 TCX

18-1441 TCX

17-1361 TCX

18-1354 TCX

15-1245 TCX

14-1208 TCX

16-0928 TCX

19-1016 TCX

13-1025 TCX
annual shades edited from the Global Colour
Forecast. Over 40% of colours have been carried
over from previous seasons to encourage a more

Papaya Smoothie
Orange Selenite
Raspberry Pink

Luscious Red
Vintage Pink

Vanilla Cake
Setting Sun
Peach Sand
considered approach to colour development.

Parchment
Terracotta
Wild Rose

Dark Oak
Oat Milk
Rooibos
Fuchsia
This strategy reflects our belief that colour is a
long-term investment, and that palettes should
be built with longevity in mind to drive a clear

030-69-10
026-70-32
010-46-36
006-39-31

036-82-16
018-49-28
017-43-20
152-45-32

018-54-37
001-62-12

017-23-07
147-64-24

024-75-15

018-65-21

031-63-17
sustainable message.

This seasonal edit is an extensive mix of

13-0942 TCX

16-1148 TCX

14-0750 TCX

12-0435 TCX

16-0430 TCX

15-6317 TCX

17-0210 TCX

14-6329 TCX

18-6018 TCX

18-4834 TCX

14-4522 TCX

17-4139 TCX

19-3953 TCX

15-3716 TCX

17-3730 TCX
energising brights, saturated pastels and
grounding neutrals, which are used to reflect a
sense of optimism while also providing

Jacaranda Flower
Digital Lavender
Turquoise Sea
Golden Beryl

Tranquil Blue
Celery Juice
Honeycomb

reassurance. Pink is refreshed, and orange

Apple Mint

Lazuli Blue
Green Fig

Palm Leaf

Verdigris
Bay Leaf
Sundial

Jade
expands into so peachy and energised juicy
tones. Vanilla Cake replaces Butter as a pastel
yellow update, and blue shi s to lighter summery

065-68-24
028-59-26

052-82-23

097-70-23
034-76-27

092-38-21
062-57-10
043-71-30

122-25-24
051-62-15

134-52-27
062-71-14

134-67-16
071-36-17

114-57-24
hues.

* 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

2
Women's accessories & footwear core colours
Palette S/S 23

The core colours encompass 10 must-have classic

19-1220 TCX

17-0636 TCX

18-4034 TCX

19-3932 TCX

14-3906 TCX
tones. These provide the foundation for a
seasonless colour strategy which ranges can be
built around. They work across all product

Midnight Blue
Atlantic Blue
categories. Olive Oil and Atlantic Blue transition

Pearl Grey 
Olive Oil
Sepia
from last season's fashion palette.

044-52-13

157-72-02
115-35-20

120-22-18
019-27-14
11-0103 TCX

11-4800 TCX

19-4203 TCX

10126 C

10388 C
Unbleached Cotton

Optic White

Silver
Black

Gold
036-89-06

037-93-00

153-19-00

10388 C
10126 C
* 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
Classic browns and neutrals
Prioritise transseasonal brown and neutral
tones for timeless investment pieces.
Why are they key? Aligning with Future
Innovation, The Lifecycle Lifestyle, classic
brown and neutrals remain key for long-term
product strategy, as consumers continue to
seek colours that feel reassuring.
How to us e them: As browns continue to
perform at retail, introduce Parchment and
Terracotta, suitable for adding newness to Sicky Magazine @yuulyie_of cial
leathers and eyewear. They work seamlessly
alongside brown tones, including Sepia. Use
Dark Oak as an alternative to black – ideal for
luxury ranges.

A: Oat Milk D: Parchment

E: Dark Oak
B: Terracotta

@andywolfof cial @tammyandbenjamin @sixxta

F: Black

C: Sepia
G: Optic White

Coloro:
A: 030-69-10, B: 017-43-20, C: 019-27-14, D: 031-63-17,
E: 017-23-07, F: 153-19-00, G: 037-93-00
Pantone:
A: 14-1208 TCX, B: 18-1441 TCX, C: 19-1220 TCX, D: 16-
0928
4 TCX, E: 19-1016 TCX, F: 19-4203 TCX, G: 11-4800
TCX
Nostalgic midcentury
Evoke a midcentury mood by combining
practical neutrals with nostalgic highlight
colours. 
Why are they? Midcentury-inspired colours
continue to resonate, connecting to The
Predictors, who favour stability. Wes
Anderson's film The French Dispatch is a
source of inspiration, embracing timeworn mid-
tones.
How to us e them: Introduce this refined @alohas Esquire / The French Dispatch
palette to extend use of comforting brown and
neutral tones, which are essential for core
deliveries. Reinterpret through highlights of
Vintage Pink and Vanilla Cake, which is a
seasonal Butter update.

A: Parchment D: Vintage Pink

B: Terracotta E: Vanilla Cake @rodosince1956 Schon Magazine @malonesouliers

C: Sepia
F: Unbleached Cotton

Coloro:
A: 031-63-17, B: 017-43-20, C: 019-27-14, D: 001-62-12,
E: 036-82-16, F: 036-89-06
Pantone:
A:5 16-0928 TCX, B: 18-1441 TCX, C: 19-1220 TCX, D: 16-
1710 TCX, E: 13-1025 TCX, F: 11-0103 TCX
Edible greens
Transition and brighten restorative greens
with fresh seasonal shades.
Why are they key? Mid-tone greens are a key
direction, as nature and the outdoor boom
continue to inform restorative choices. This
palette highlights the growing importance of
# sustainablecolour, connecting consumers
to naturally derived shades.
How to us e them: Transition Jade and Olive Oil
as annual and long-term colours to allow for Karyn Lyons @ attered
easy flow of A/W 22 carryover styles. Pair with
Celery Juice and Bay Leaf to brighten palettes.
Acidic yellow Golden Beryl is an accent and
Palm Leaf grounds print compositions for so
accessories.

A: Golden Beryl
D: Jade

B: Olive Oil
E: Celery Juice
@levensjewels Elle Vietnam @peonebrasil

F: Palm Leaf
C: Bay Leaf

G: Optic White

Coloro:
A: 043-71-30, B: 044-52-13, C: 051-62-15, D: 062-57-
10, E: 052-82-23, F: 071-36-17, G: 037-93-00
Pantone:
A:6 14-0750 TCX, B: 17-0636 TCX, C: 16-0430 TCX, D: 17-
0210 TCX, E: 12-0435 TCX, F: 18-6018 TCX, G: 11-4800
TCX
Golden hour
Create a sense of solace with sun-baked
colours. 
Why are they key? A/W 22's zesty citrus tones
moved on, as saturated shades of
orange combine with warm yellow linked to
wellness, nature and organic sources of colour.
How to us e them: Honeycomb transitions as an
annual carryover shade and is complemented
by Sundial. Pair with Dark Oak and Sepia as
grounding earth tones and introduce highlights @simonmillerusa @nohmabrand
of Setting Sun and Papaya Smoothie. They work
well across accessories and footwear, in
standalone or combination palettes.

A: Setting Sun
D: Papaya Smoothie

B: Sundial E: Honeycomb

F: Sepia The Leo Is All in the Mind @supriya_lele @sigaaaurora

C: Dark Oak
G: Unbleached Cotton

Coloro:
A: 018-54-37, B: 028-59-26, C: 017-23-07, D: 026-70-
32, E: 034-76-27, F: 019-27-14, G: 036-89-06
Pantone:
A: 17-1361 TCX, B: 16-1148 TCX, C: 19-1016 TCX, D: 15-
1245 TCX, E: 13-0942 TCX, F: 19-1220 TCX, G: 11-0103
TCX
7
Digital lavender 
As purple steps up to have mass appeal, tap
into themes of wellness by combining
natural green tones.
Why are they key? Expected to have broad
appeal by 2023, purple is one of the most
important colours of the season, with Digital
Lavender as WGSN's Colour of the Year.
Connecting to holistic wellbeing and digital
optimism, it signifies the serenity consumers
will seek post-pandemic.
Sezane @mend.issue
How to us e them: Create a feminine palette by
combining Digital Lavender with natural and
restorative greens, including Palm Leaf and
Green Fig, which appeal to a wider market.
Pearl Grey complements iridescent finishes –
key for jewellery.

A: Optic White
D: Pearl Grey

@maison_alma @yuulyie_of cial @maison_alma

B: Digital Lavender E: Green Fig

F: Palm Leaf
C: Jacaranda Flower

Coloro:
A: 037-93-00, B: 134-67-16, C: 134-52-27, D: 157-72-02,
E: 062-71-14, F: 071-36-17
8
Pantone:
A: 11-4800 TCX, B: 15-3716 TCX, C: 17-3730 TCX, D: 14-
3906 TCX, E: 15-6317 TCX, F: 18-6018 TCX
Fantasy resort
Summon thoughts of travel and tropical
destinations with nostalgic vacation brights.
Why are they key? Far-flung locations inspire
this resort-ready palette, which highlights the
importance of mood-boosting brights,
combined with playful pastels. Look to
Brooklyn-based Fe Noel, whose Caribbean
heritage inspires a love of vibrant colours.
How to us e them: Invigorate perennial tropical
and holiday shop assortments with these @fenoel @adorofarm
colours. Experiment with multicolour
combinations for so accessories, or focus on
stand-out seasonal colours, such as Verdigris,
to add newness to solid materials.

A: Vintage Pink
E: Papaya Smoothie

B: Vanilla Cake

F: Celery Juice
C: Honeycomb

@yuulyie_of cial Sicky Magazine @holiday_the_label

G: Turquoise Sea
D: Verdigris

Coloro:
A: 001-62-12, B: 036-82-16, C: 034-76-27, D: 092-38-
21, E: 026-70-32, F: 052-82-23, G: 097-70-23
Pantone:
A: 16-1710 TCX, B: 13-1025 TCX, C: 13-0942 TCX, D: 18-
4834
9 TCX, E: 15-1245 TCX, F: 12-0435 TCX, G: 14-4522
TCX
Regency pastels
Shape screen-ready looks with fresh and
playful pastels.
Why are they key? Redefining the romance of
the Regency period, this palette is inspired by
Netflix series Bridgerton, which was watched
globally by an estimated 82 million viewers.
Expected to impact the youth consumer for
future seasons and encompassing growing
social media aesthetics, the mood shi s
towards digitally appealing, brighter pastels.
@motoguo Sicky Magazine
How to us e them: Create a palette of candy
tones centred on Apple Mint, Wild Rose and
Digital Lavender. Orange Selenite and Celery
Juice provide contrast and work for detail
embellishment.

A: Vintage Pink

E: Wild Rose
B: Orange Selenite

C: Celery Juice F: Golden Beryl

@odd92_ Vogue Ukraine Y/Project x Melissa

D: Digital Lavender G: Apple Mint

Coloro:
A: 001-62-12, B: 018-65-21, C: 052-82-23, D: 134-67-
16, E: 147-64-24, F: 043-71-30, G: 065-68-24
Pantone:
A:1016-1710 TCX, B: 15-1333 TCX, C: 12-0435 TCX, D: 15-
3716 TCX, E: 16-3118 TCX, F: 14-0750 TCX, G: 14-6329
TCX
Dopamine brights
Capture the power of emotional colour
through stimulating and digitised brights in
bold combinations.
Why are they key? Joyful, feel-good and
energy-boosting colours connect to the Future
Innovations theme, Emotions As Subcultures.
Ideal for amplifying the shi to digital, they
work well in the virtual world.
How to us e them: Create confident
combinations to reflect hedonism post- @allthingsmochi @tdkent_eyewear
pandemic, allowing for print experimentation
across footwear, accessories and jewellery.
Fuchsia, Verdigris, Setting Sun and Turquoise
Sea are great for single statements, applied to
leathers, fabrics and solid materials.

E: Wild Rose
A: Fuchsia

B: Celery Juice F: Setting Sun

@parsi.mona @mexakitsch @okokoabel

C: Verdigris

G: Turquoise Sea

D: Honeycomb

Coloro:
A: 152-45-32, B: 052-82-23, C: 092-38-21, D: 034-76-
27, E: 147-64-24, F: 018-54-37, G: 097-70-23
Pantone:
A:1117-2034 TCX, B: 12-0435 TCX, C: 18-4834 TCX, D: 13-
0942 TCX, E: 16-3118 TCX, F: 17-1361 TCX, G: 14-4522
TCX
Red and blue
Use the bold colour combination of red and
blue to transition primary brights.
Why are they key? The classic combo of red
and blue refreshes primary colours, creating a
comforting, familiar palette ideal for updating
core and contemporary # collectionessentials.
How to us e them: This palette is dedicated
to Luscious Red and Tranquil Blue, which
create monotone looks in matte or glossy
finishes, suitable for leathers and solid @paolaorleansebraganca Kelia Anne MacCluskey
materials. Lazuli Blue transitions as a darker
tone and works alongside Turquoise Sea, which
is key for jewellery. Optic White is a highlight
colour.

A: Turquoise Sea
D: Luscious Red

B: Lazuli Blue
@ aviamadeira Vogue UK @jessicaballeroshoes

E: Tranquil Blue

C: Optic White

Coloro:
A: 097-70-23, B: 122-25-24, C: 037-93-00, D: 010-46-
36, E: 114-57-24
Pantone:
A: 14-4522 TCX, B: 19-3953 TCX, C: 11-4800 TCX, D: 17-
1663
12 TCX, E: 17-4139 TCX
1 234
Action points
Prioritise seasonless colours
Continue to focus on seasonless colour
as part of a sustainable strategy, with a
palette that prioritises annual and long-
term colours. These can be easily
transitioned and updated with the
addition of carefully selected seasonal
shades. This focus also aligns with our
Men's Accessories & Footwear Colour
Forecast, allowing for core colours to
transition across palettes to reduce
material waste, or form gender-
inclusive collections
13
Inspire healing through natural
tones and organic sources
With restorative rituals now a daily
practice, look to nature to inform
calming colour choices and inspire
sustainable developments. Circular
sources of colour will have mass
appeal in 2023, with a focus on pigments
derived from plants and food waste.
Look to global fashion brand Coach for
inspiration – the label has introduced
vegetable-tanned leather bags created
using natural dyes and finishes
Drive engagement online and
IRL with dopamine-inducing
brights
As the boundaries between digital and
physical worlds continue to blur, a
focus on bold, mood-boosting colours
will be key for creating a statement
aesthetic. Saturated tones return to
deliver this message and will be used
by consumers to create a sense of
escapism, or to express joyful and
positive shared emotions
Encapsulate nostalgic colours to
enliven modern designs
Introduce nostalgic colours that will
appeal to consumers seeking
reassurance amid uncertain times.
Classic midcentury colours will give
designs a grounded and reassuring
quality, while tropical brights and candy
pastels evoke optimism, ideal for
refreshing Holiday, occasion and youth
assortments
 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

14
 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

15
 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

16
 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

17
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.
18
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
19
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