My Shopping Bag: Colour of the Year – Marsala erstwhile Oxblood erstwhile Maroon erstwhile Dark Red

If you read fashion or lifestyles magazines or news, you may have heard (rather, could not have helped but hear) that Marsala is the colour of 2015. No, you are not crazy and the only person who has never heard of this colour and does not know what it is (I am still grappling with the difference between lilac, lavender and mauve). As far as I understand, this is a made up colour and its made up by a company called Pantone.

I am not exactly sure what Pantone does and honestly, I don’t care. Because I love Marsala! A lot of my love for this colour is based on the fact that I didn’t much care for their previous colour of the year, Radiant Orchid. (Yes, 2014 was year of the colour, Radiant Orchid. Don’t feel bad, I spent the year wearing black too.) I am sure I do not and have never owned anything which is of the colour Radiant Orchid. Well, except a radiant orchid.

Now lets forget about the 2014 colour (I think its quite forgettable, although I have to admit Bidisha does look, well, radiant in it) and focus on colour of 2015, Marsala. This is what it looks like.

I quite love it (contrary to almost everyones else reaction to the colour). Because it’s a more muted version of my favourite colour, red. Because it isn’t a super bright colour which I would never wear (I am looking at you, Radiant Orchid). Because it is the colour of red wine. (The colour is named after Marsala wine.)

And especially because (I must be psychic a major trend-forecaster) I managed to stock up on Marsala coloured items majorly! How lucky is that?

Item 1: Menswear Inspired Patent Oxfords

I was hunting for oxblood marsala coloured oxfords for the longest time. As expected, I was very particular and specific (and fussy) about the kind I wanted. They had to be patent – I wanted that sheen, then had to be pointed (not rounded) and they had to be flats. I wanted the oxblood colour but was willing to settle for black ones.

And (if you follow us on Instagram this will not be the major shock I planned it to be) then my husband went and got similar shoes for himself. (You can find these here).

Which made me work even harder and finally find these in Forever 21 – exactly what I wanted! Aren’t they beautiful?

Item 2: Shawl / stole

I got this as a gift and this is a true blue (haha) marsala! And its light, but still so warm and oh so soft. My go-to shawl this winter. I haven’t put in a picture of this in the post – you will be seeing this on the blog soon enough.

Item 3: Beanie 

Since I got the shawl, I wanted a beanie in the same colour (except that its not). I got this from Forever 21 as well, along with a dark green one. I am so happy with all my fall colour beanies.

I usually like getting really cheap beanies – only quality need to be that they cover my ears. I leave them around and lose them very often so cheap beanies are useful.

Item 4 and 5: Maroon velvet skirt and top

I am so glad I took the chance and brought my co-ordinated maroon velvet skirt and boxy tee set from home in India last year. Yes, you read that right – maroon, velvet co-ordinated skirt and boxy tee set it is. I think I bought this when I was a teenager (thats the only explanation that can justify this purchase). But it still fits me, its velvet in the colour of 2015 (if I have to remind you its Marsala then this post has taught you nothing!) and I am adventurous if nothing else so three solid reasons to try out this look although I am not going to be wearing this together – or will I?!

Other fun ‘marsala’ items currently on my wish list for this winter are these:

This faux fur vest is such a frivolous item and its just so fun! And here are the matching neck scarf and gloves. (On a serious note, it is highly recommended these items are not worn together. There is something like too much burgundy faux fur).

Very sad these gloves are sold out in my size. I will try and see if I can find them in the stores.

This last item is the perfect way to up the style factor in any outfit – Mac Diva! Its the perfect lipstick for this holiday season. It earned its place in the ultimate lipstick post so I don’t need any more convincing.

– Anisha