Elizabeth Banks

Thanks Alison for this great post on the 2013 color of the year. I love emerald and will definitely be wearing it this year! Xx EB

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope 2013 is off to a smashing start for all of you. I’m Alison from NYC Recessionista and I am back for my fourth guest post. I’ve already shown you how to mix bargain basement & designer, how to season-swap, and how to rock retro.

Now I want to focus on colors. Well, one special color in particular. If you haven’t heard by now, Pantone recently proclaimed that the Color of the Year for 2013 is Emerald.

It’s a gorgeous color – and green is probably my favorite hue in the entire rainbow. But how many green pieces can you really go out and buy before you start looking like the Jolly Green Giant?  Should you invest in green jewelry or green blouses? How can you incorporate emerald into your wardrobe on a budget?  I’m here to help!

I think that one of the easiest ways to try out a new color or trend is through your jewelry and accessories – they’re lots of fun to play around with, it’s less of an investment, and if the color should happen to go out of style, you won’t have to replace everything in your closet. 

Here are some of my favorite picks for affordable Emerald jewelry –

1) BaubleBar Green Akasha Strand Necklace
2) Max & Chloe Green Agate Cigar Ring
3)  Macy’s Bar III Gold Tone Emerald Crystal Oval Stud Earrings
4) Ruche Waldorf Bow Bangle Set
5) Anthropologie Polished Planes Earrings

And I dare you not to be green with envy over these Emerald accessories –

1) Target Mossimo Supply Co. Floral Loop Scarf
2) J. Crew Wide Cashmere Wrap Scarf
3) Target Merona Skinny Belt
4) Banana Republic Pinking Shears Tote
5) Modcloth All-Star Bag

And if you want to experiment with the color of the year with your clothes or shoes, there are affordable ways to do that, too. Just make sure you’re buying classic pieces.

These pieces of clothing have such a beautiful pop of green color –

1) Ann Taylor Shirred Silk Blouse
2) Anthropologie Draped Tie-back Dress
3) Gap Skinny Ankle Pants
4) Madewell Silk Charmeuse Shirt in Dotdash
5) Target Merona Double Breasted Classic Peacoat

You can even rock the Emerald trend all the way down to your toes –

1) Target Merona Cap Toe Flats
2) Modcloth Pecking Border Heels
3) Converse Chuck Taylors
4) Seychelles Dipped in Gold Heels
5) Target Merona Ankle Strap Heels

If this first look at the Pantone colors of spring 2013 is any indication, 2013 is going to be another year for bright, cheerful and bursting hues on the fashion scene.  By either playing around with jewelry and accessories, or making a bold statement with clothes and shoes in classic styles, you too can take the Emerald plunge this year. I hope this post gave you some ideas to star incorporating Emerald into your wardrobe on a budget!

PS – for lots more Emerald madness, be sure to check out my Pinterest board.

Which of these emerald pieces would you add to your 2013 wardrobe?