Burnt orange has been a popular color in fashion and interior design over the past few years, but is it still considered stylish in 2023? As trends come and go, many wonder if burnt orange has staying power or if it’s on its way out. To determine if burnt orange is still in style, we need to examine a few key factors.
The History of Burnt Orange
Before looking at burnt orange’s current popularity, it helps to understand the history of this earthy hue. Burnt orange first emerged as a fashionable color in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During this time period, burnt orange shag carpets, turtlenecks, pantsuits, and home decor items started popping up across the United States. The color was seen as warm, natural, and laidback – a departure from the bold mod styles of the 1960s.
In the 1990s, burnt orange had another moment in the spotlight. Trendsetters and designers like Donna Karan featured burnt orange heavily in collections during this decade. Interior design also embraced the hue, often pairing it with teal and other earth tones. The 1990s saw burnt orange transition from a fad into a more timeless, versatile neutral.
After falling out of favor in the early 2000s, burnt orange made a major comeback around 2015. Fashion designers included it in collections, and major retailers like H&M and Zara started selling burnt orange clothing. In interiors, burnt orange accents became popular again in everything from furniture to wall paint. So while burnt orange has cycled in and out of style, it’s proven to have staying power across multiple decades.
Burnt Orange in Recent Years
From around 2015 onwards, burnt orange has maintained a strong presence in fashion. It’s become a staple fall color, with major brands releasing burnt orange coats, sweaters, accessories, and more each autumn. For example, searches for “burnt orange dress” on fashion sites spiked by 35% from 2020 to 2021, showing an uptick in interest in the color. Burnt orange has also emerged as a popular bridesmaid dress hue over the past 5 years.
In interior design, burnt orange has continued to feel current. It’s often used as an accent color through throw pillows, rugs, wall art, and upholstered furniture. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams both named burnt orange-inspired shades, Pumpkin Pie and Ancient Orange, as their 2022 Colors of the Year. This indicates that burnt orange still has design clout.
Data from leading home furnishings retailer Wayfair shows that searches for “burnt orange decor” have steadily increased over the past 3 years as well. This suggests that burnt orange is still sought-after in home goods. Overall, burnt orange has maintained a consistent presence in both fashion and interiors in recent years.
Is Burnt Orange Still Considered Stylish?
Based on burnt orange’s enduring popularity across seasons and its inclusion in recent designer collections, the consensus is that burnt orange is still quite stylish in 2023. However, burnt orange may need to be used more strategically to feel current today.
In fashion, burnt orange works best for fall and winter instead of year-round wear. Pairing burnt orange with neutrals and natural textures helps modernize it. In interiors, burnt orange makes the most statement when used in moderation through accent pieces and textiles instead of taking over an entire space.
There are a few key reasons why burnt orange remains stylish:
- It’s flattering on many skin tones andhair colors.
- It serves as a warm, inviting neutral that contrasts nicely with blues, greens, and grays.
- It feels both retro and current, tapping into 70s nostalgia while looking fresh in modern contexts.
So in summary – yes, burnt orange still has style clout in 2023. It endures as a versatile, earthy neutral that flatters, pops against other colors, and references retro eras in a subtle way. It may need to be used more strategically, but burnt orange’s popularity shows no signs of burning out.
How to Wear Burnt Orange Today
Here are some tips for stylishly wearing burnt orange in 2023:
- Incorporate burnt orange into your fall wardrobe through coats, turtlenecks, jeans, boots, or bags.
- Pair burnt orange with navy blue, black, gray, brown, or white for a sophisticated color combination.
- Add burnt orange statement pieces like a handbag or shoes to neutral outfits.
- Look for burnt orange dresses and jumpsuits to wear as a guest to fall weddings.
- Choose muted shades like rust over bright orange tones for a more modern look.
- Mix in burnt orange with patterns like buffalo check or houndstooth.
- Keep makeup and jewelry minimal when wearing burnt orange clothing.
Stick to just one burnt orange item within an outfit. Wearing head-to-toe burnt orange can feel overly matchy-matchy. Use this shade as a subtle accent for the most stylish look.
How to Use Burnt Orange in Your Home
Here are some tips for incorporating burnt orange in a home in a modern, stylish way:
- Use burnt orange in moderation through accent pieces like throw pillows, area rugs, and decorative objects.
- Paint an accent wall or front door in a muted burnt orange hue.
- Choose burnt orange upholstery or curtains to warm up a neutral room.
- Pair burnt orange with blues, greens, black, white, gray, and wood tones.
- Introduce burnt orange through natural materials like clay vases, terracotta pots, and rattan baskets.
- Use burnt orange in spaces where you want to create an inviting, cozy feel.
- Avoid bright orange tones and opt for more subtle, earthy burnt orange.
Burnt orange can turn overpowering if used excessively in a room. Stick to a few burnt orange accents paired with plenty of neutrals for a pulled-together look.
What Colors Go with Burnt Orange?
One key to making burnt orange feel current is choosing the right accent colors to go with it. Here are some of the best color pairings to try with burnt orange:
| Color | Why it Works |
|---|---|
| Navy | Navy and burnt orange are bold complementary colors that pop against each other. |
| Gray | Cool grays nicely balance out burnt orange’s warmth. |
| Cream | Cream pulls out burnt orange’s retro vibe for a sophisticated 70s look. |
| Sage Green | The muted green has an earthy vibe that coordinates with burnt orange’s natural look. |
| Brown | Different shades of brown seamlessly blend with burnt orange as they share similar earth tones. |
| Black | This classic pairing always looks elegant and bold together. |
In general, aim for a mix of neutrals, natural tones, and complementary colors when determining what to wear or pair with burnt orange items.
How to Decorate with Burnt Orange: Ideas and Inspiration
Need some inspiration for decorating with burnt orange? Here are some stylish ways to incorporate this color throughout your home:
- Living Room – An burnt orange sofa or accent chair adds a retro twist. Hang burnt orange drapes or choose an area rug with burnt orange geometric patterns.
- Dining Room – Use burnt orange upholstery on dining chairs or get burnt orange seat cushions. Bring in burnt orange tones through flowers, candles, or place settings.
- Bedroom – Opt for burnt orange throw pillows, wall art, area rugs, or patterned bedding to add warmth. Paint an accent wall in a muted burnt orange.
- Entryway – Welcome guests with a burnt orange front door. Add a burnt orange console table or mirror.
- Home Office – Choose a burnt orange desk chair or piece of wall art. Display burnt orange books or objet d’art.
- Kitchen – Bring in burnt orange through dish towels, utensils, pots and pans. Use a backsplash or paint color with orange undertones.
- Bathroom – Fold burnt orange towels neatly on shelves. Add a burnt orange rug, soap dispenser, or decorative tray.
You have lots of options for pulling burnt orange into any space in a stylish manner by sticking with accent pieces and touches of color.
Conclusion
Burnt orange has proven its staying power across decades, remaining a current neutral that designers and homeowners continue to gravitate towards. While burnt orange needs to be used strategically – through accent pieces, moderation, and ideal color pairings – to look fresh today, it still has strong style clout. Burnt orange’s warm, earthy vibe makes it a perfect transitional color between summer and winter. This hue can turn a neutral space into a stylish, inviting oasis. So don’t be afraid to add a touch of burnt orange into your wardrobe or home to embrace one of fashion and design’s most enduring shades.
