COLOR ME SURPRISED

The Best Things to Buy in Pantone’s Color(s) of the Year: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating

These two colors are complete opposites, but that means you have 2x the opportunity to incorporate them.

As 2020 is coming to a close, it’s only appropriate to look towards 2021 with fresh eyes and a new outlook. Every year, Pantone tries to capture the mood and feeling of a year’s worth of culture and lifestyles by naming the color of the year. This time, however, Pantone opted for two colors: Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. These opposing colors (a bold yellow and a very neutral gray) are here to define what 2020 was and how 2021 is here to help bring optimism and brightness to our lives. If you want to add some of that into your life, we have a few things that can help.

Amazon

$40

W&P Porter Ceramic Bowl Lunch Container in Slate

There’s really nothing bad to say about these bowls. In their soft matte, silicone sleeves, these glass bowls can keep leftovers fresh, transport your meals from home to work, and even make a great serving bowl in a pinch.

Amazon

Allbirds

$95

Wool Runners in Mist

Allbirds are some of our favorite sneakers and while they make some great colors, the gray is really the perfect thing to wear with anything in your closet. They’re made from Merino wool and have a soft, but bouncy sole for all-day comfort. They also come in bright yellow.

Allbirds

Haand

$28

Stormware Skinny Vase

Really, it’s about time we all started investing more in our home decor. This gorgeous vase is made for holding small bouquets or freshly cut herbs, but looks just as good empty as it does full.

Haand

Brooklinen

$98

Super-Plush Robe in Smoke

Heading into 2021 with a robe that’s literally called “Super-Plush” is a great plan all around. This soft gray robe is perfect for after-shower time or even first thing in the morning while you brew some coffee.

Brooklinen

Parachute

$249

Cloud Cotton Quilt in Steel/Smoke

Look, there’s no shame in having too many blankets, especially if one of them is the Cloud Cotton Quilt. It’s soft and breathable, but has a little heft to it so that it feels substantial enough to get you through most of the seasons.

Parachute

Everlane

$148

The Cloud Cable Cardigan in Palm

This cardigan is the perfect thing for Zoom meetings. Throw it over your pajama T-shirt and no one will be the wiser that you haven’t changed since getting out of bed.

Everlane

Cariuma

$89

Pantone COY 2021 Illuminating Canvas

Cariuma partners with Pantone each year to produce Color of the Year shoes and this year is no different. While the gray is lovely, the yellow can just add a punch of brightness and fun to any outfit

Cariuma

Amazon

$30

Dash Mini Toaster Oven

Look, yellow may not be in everyone’s decor plans, but this soft yellow toaster oven from Dash is hard to pass up. It can do everything a toaster can, plus bake bread and cookies and has full temperature control, so you’re not guessing how brown you’ll want your toast.

Amazon

Vida

$10

Protective Mask in Tuscan Sun

Masks will continue to be an accessory we’ll all be wearing in 2021, so why not be trendy about it? Vida makes some of our favorite masks and this bright and bold yellow mask will make anyone feel a bit sunnier when they wear it.

Vida

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