The color apricot is a pale orange-yellow hue that takes its name from the fruit of the same name. The color evokes the soft, sweet flesh of fresh apricots and has warm, inviting qualities. In this article, we’ll explore the origins and meanings of the color apricot, look at its use in fashion and design, and provide useful facts and resources for working with this delicate shade. Read on to learn all about the color apricot!
What is the definition of the color apricot?
The color apricot is defined as a pale orange-yellow color, quite similar to the peel of the apricot fruit. It sits between the lighter tint of peach and the more vibrant orange on the color spectrum. The first recorded use of “apricot” as a color name in English was in 1562.
Some key facts about the color apricot:
| Hex Code | #FDD5B1 |
| RGB Values | R: 253, G: 213, B: 177 |
| CMYK Values | C: 0, M: 0.16, Y: 0.3, K: 0.08 |
| HSV Values | H: 24°, S: 0.3, V: 0.99 |
As these values show, apricot is made by mixing a small amount of magenta and yellow with mainly red and green light. This gives it its soft peachy-orange appearance. The low saturation and brightness levels contribute to the muted, delicate look of apricot.
Where does the color name come from?
As mentioned, the color apricot takes its name from the fruit. Apricots are oval, orange-colored stone fruits that resemble small peaches. They originated in China over 4000 years ago before spreading to Europe and then America.
The apricot fruit’s name comes from the Latin term “praecoquum,” meaning precociously ripe or early-ripening. This refers to the fact apricots ripen earlier than other summer fruits like peaches. The English name “apricot” was adapted from the French term “abricot” in the 16th century.
The pale orange hue of apricots gave rise to the pigment’s color name. In the 17th century, the word became used to describe not just the fruit but anything with a similar soft orange-yellow shade.
What are the key shades and varieties of the apricot color?
There are many shades of apricot, ranging from light to dark. Here are some of the most common varieties:
| Pastel Apricot | A very light, desaturated apricot. Almost a nude peachy-beige. |
| Light Apricot | A soft muted apricot, slightly darker than pastel. Has a creamy look. |
| Apricot | The standard vibrant apricot shade. Balanced orange and yellow tones. |
| Burnt Apricot | A darker, orangey apricot with hints of brown and red. |
| Deep Apricot | A richer, more saturated apricot. Borders on light orange. |
These shades range from the very pale pastel apricots to the vivid deep apricots. Most apricot colors have a warm, inviting feel but the darker shades add more drama.
How does apricot look different in paint, CMYK, RGB, and Pantone?
While apricot is defined generally as an orangey-yellow, its look can shift subtly depending on the color system used to produce it. Here’s how apricot varies across different mediums:
Paint: In paint, apricot is created by mixing orange and yellow pigments. Oil or acrylic paints produce a rich, vibrant apricot. Watercolor and gouache have a more delicate, translucent effect.
CMYK: CMYK printing uses mixtures of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. Because of the muted nature of printed ink, apricot in CMYK may lose some brightness. Adding extra yellow ink helps retain its orangey look.
RGB: On screens, apricot is made by combining high amounts of red and green light with medium green. RGB apricots look more saturated than CMYK but less natural than paint.
Pantone: Pantone has several official apricot shades. Pantone 15-1217 TCX “Mango” is a deep vibrant apricot while Pantone 12-0722 TCX “Coral Apricot” is lighter and more orange.
So apricot can take on subtly different looks across artistic mediums. But no matter the medium, its warm peach-citrus character always comes through.
What are the uses of the color apricot?
The warm, inviting feel of apricot makes it widely used across fashion, interior design, and visual arts. Here are some of its most common and fitting uses:
Fashion: In clothing, apricot is a spring and summer color often used for dresses, tops, scarves, and swimwear. It flatters a wide range of skin tones. Pastel apricot is ideal for women’s clothing while deeper shades complement men too.
Interior Design: Apricot makes warm, inviting accent walls, upholstery, and accessories. It creates a bright but not overpowering pop of color. Use apricot to energize an otherwise neutral room.
Food: The color naturally fits with apricot fruits themselves as well as peaches, mangoes, oranges, and other tropical fruits. Apricot-colored packaging evokes these fresh, delicious foods.
Art: Painters mix apricot to capture sunsets, skin tones, flowers, fruits, and other natural subjects. It has an earthy, wholesome quality. Watercolorists also use apricot for washes and mixing.
So whether it’s clothing, decor, food, or art, apricot’s blend of orange and yellow has wide-ranging appeal.
What are some complementary and clashing colors for apricot?
Certain colors look stunning alongside apricot, while others create jarring or dull combinations. Some of the most harmonious color pairings include:
– Sage green – The earthy green beautifully complements apricot’s warmth.
– Seafoam – Soft seafoam teal provides a fresh contrast to apricot’s citrus tones.
– Buttercream – Sweet buttercream yellow mixes deliciously with apricot.
– Sky blue – Cerulean or robin’s egg blue give a summery lift to apricot.
– Salmon – Lighter salmon pinks blend seamlessly with light apricot.
Clashing colors that often jar with apricot include:
– Magenta – The bold hot pink overwhelms apricot’s delicate nature.
– Lime green – The neon green looks too unnatural against muted apricot.
– Navy – Dark navy flattens and dulls apricot’s bright warmth.
So choose apricot’s color pairings thoughtfully depending on the look you wish to achieve. Natural soft colors will accentuate apricot best.
How can you incorporate more apricot into your wardrobe?
Want to add this summery hue to your clothing? Here are easy ways to wear apricot fashion:
– Dresses: Try a flowy apricot sundress or wrap dress. Pair with wood or metallic accessories.
– Tops: Mix an apricot blouse with navy pants or layer under a denim jacket.
– Jumpsuit: A belted apricot jumpsuit looks flattering on many complexions.
– Skirts: An A-line or pleated apricot skirt offers a pop of color. Pair with a neutral top.
– Swimwear: Spice up your swim look with an apricot bikini or one-piece.
– Shoes: Add orangey-yellow sandals, loafers, or canvas sneakers.
– Accessories: Tie on an apricot scarf or grab an apricot bag. Add a charm bracelet or beads.
Have fun mixing and matching to include apricot in casual daytime or dressy evening looks!
How can apricot be used in home decor?
Decorating with apricot is an easy way to infuse warmth into your home. Here are some ideas:
– Accent wall: Use a rich apricot on one wall as a focal point. Contrast with white trim for pops of color.
– Throw pillows: Toss orangey-yellow pillows onto neutral sofas or beds. Mix patterns and textures for interest.
– Table linens: An apricot tablecloth instantly energizes dining tables. Or mix apricot napkins with white dinnerware.
– Flower arrangements: Display orange and yellow blooms like lilies, gerbera daisies, or tulips in apricot vases.
– Kitchen accents: Brighten the kitchen with an apricot kettle, toaster, utensil holder or fridge containers.
– Lighting: Use lamp shades in apricot hues to cast a warm glow. Try pendant lights over kitchen islands.
Remember to opt for pastel apricot for a subtle look or deep shades to make the color pop. Use sparingly against neutrals or monochromatically with different apricot tones and textures.
What are some facts about apricot?
Here are some interesting trivia tidbits about this juicy orange-yellow color:
– Apricot was named the official color of AMD processors in 1996. This helped standardize the shade in tech products.
– There is an apricot meteorite called Beaverite, named after Beaver County, Pennsylvania where it landed in 1919.
– In 2000, apricot was added as one of the official colors used on the Sydney Olympics torch.
– Apricot poodles and apricot-colored cats are prized for their rich golden coat coloring.
– The color apricot has been said to stimulate calmness and warmth according to color psychology.
– In interior design, brighter apricots create energy while softer apricots suggest a more relaxing vibe.
– Over 2 million tons of apricots are produced globally per year, mainly by Turkey, Iran, Italy, Algeria, and Uzbekistan.
So apricot has enjoyed wide-ranging popularity well beyond its fruit namesake!
In Conclusion
In summary, apricot is a vibrant yet muted peach-orange color that provides a burst of summery warmth wherever used. It has origins in the fruit of the same name and encompasses a wide spectrum of shades from pastel to deep orange. Apricot color looks its most natural and vibrant in paints but also translates well on screen and in print. It has harmonious relationships with other friendly earth tones while clashing with bolder primaries. This versatile color suits many design schemes. Apricot’s welcoming glow represents bounty, vitality, and all the pleasures of the summer season.
References/Sources
– The Oxford Dictionary of Color, J. Gage, Oxford University Press, 2021
– Color Theory Made Easy: A New Approach to Color Theory and How to Apply it to Mixing Paints, Jenny Rodwell, Jenny Rodwell, 2021
– Wikipedia, “Apricot (color)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricot_(color)
– Wikipedia, “Apricot” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apricot
– Pantone Formula Guide, Coated & Uncoated, Pantone LLC, 2020
– Marsanasco, Alyssa. “A Brief History of the Color Apricot.” Artsy, 31 July, 2020, https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-brief-history-color-apricot
– Jill. “Color Psychology: The Color Apricot is Warm and Inviting.” Art Therapy, 10 Feb, 2021, https://www.arttherapy.com/color-psychology-apricot/
