Vintage Fashion Color Dictionary

Vintage Fashion Color Dictionary

Alabaster – Pure white with subtle cream undertones, used in luxury vintage textiles.

Alice Blue – Pale grayish-blue named after Alice Roosevelt Longworth, popular in early 1900s fashion.

Amber – Warm golden-yellow with brown undertones, popular in 1970s bohemian jewelry and accessories.

Antique White – Cream with yellow undertones, popular in vintage wedding dresses.

Apricot – A warm, peachy-orange hue popular in 1920s and 1970s fashion, often used in evening wear and lingerie.

Aqua – Light blue-green, a popular 1950s pastel and 1980s Miami Vice-inspired color.

Ash – Pale gray, commonly referenced in 1920s sophisticated daywear.

Ash Rose – Muted pink with gray undertones, favored in 1920s and 1950s sophisticated daywear.

Aubergine – Deep purple-brown resembling eggplant skin, favored for sophisticated 1940s and 1980s garments.

Avocado – Yellowish-green shade that defined 1970s home and fashion color palettes, particularly in casual wear.

Azure – Clear, bright blue reminiscent of cloudless skies, popular in 1960s mod fashion.

Baby Blue – Very pale blue, signature color in Christian Dior’s 1947 “New Look” collection.

Baby Pink – Very pale pink, extremely popular in 1950s feminine fashion.

Bar Suit Gray – Sophisticated gray from Dior’s iconic 1947 Bar suit, defining post-war elegance.

Beige – Neutral tan-brown, a wardrobe staple across all vintage periods, particularly in 1920s sportswear.

Bisque – Pale orange-pink, popular in 1950s feminine undergarments and lingerie.

Black – The ultimate classic, essential in every era from Victorian mourning dress to 1960s mod fashion.

Blush – Soft pink tone popular in 1950s feminine fashion and 1980s romantic styles.

Bone – Off-white with gray undertones, a practical neutral across all vintage periods.

Brick – Deep red-orange resembling fired clay, common in 1970s earth-toned fashion.

Bronze – Metallic brown with golden undertones, popular in 1920s evening wear and 1970s metallics trend.

Brown – Rich earth tone, particularly prominent in 1970s fashion across all garment types.

Buff – Light yellowish-brown, commonly used in 1940s practical wear.

Burgundy – Deep red-purple wine color, a classic choice for formal wear across all vintage periods.

Burnt Orange – Deep, muted orange popular in 1970s autumn palettes and bohemian fashion.

Burnt Sienna – Warm reddish-brown, frequently used in 1970s earth-toned collections.

Camel – Rich tan inspired by camel hair coats, a sophisticated neutral in 1920s and 1970s fashion.

Canary Yellow – Bright, pure yellow popular in 1960s mod fashion and summer collections.

Caramel – Medium brown with golden undertones, popular in 1970s leather goods.

Celadon – Pale gray-green inspired by Chinese ceramics, popular in 1920s and 1950s sophisticated garments.

Celery – Pale yellow-green, fashionable in 1970s natural color palettes.

Cerise – Deep pink-red, a vibrant choice in 1960s and 1980s fashion.

Cerulean – Deep sky blue, favored in 1960s mod fashion and summer collections.

Champagne – Pale golden beige, a popular choice for 1920s evening wear and wedding dresses.

Chartreuse – Electric yellow-green that gained popularity in 1960s mod fashion and 1980s statement pieces.

Chestnut – Rich reddish-brown, popular for autumn collections across decades.

Chocolate – Rich dark brown, a staple neutral in 1940s wartime fashion and 1970s earth tones.

Cinnamon – Warm reddish-brown spice tone, popular in 1970s bohemian and earth-toned fashion.

Citron – Bright yellow-green, used in 1960s psychedelic and 1970s bold fashion.

Claret – Deep red-purple wine color, synonymous with burgundy in formal wear.

Cobalt – Intense deep blue, a sophisticated choice for evening wear across vintage periods.

Coffee – Medium brown, a versatile neutral particularly popular in 1970s.

Copper – Metallic reddish-brown, popular in 1970s metallics and Art Deco accessories.

Coral – Warm pink-orange popular in 1950s resort wear and summer fashions.

Cranberry – Deep red with purple undertones, popular in autumn vintage fashion.

Cream – Off-white with warm undertones, a classic alternative to pure white across all eras.

Crimson – Deep, true red, a dramatic choice for evening wear throughout vintage fashion history.

Denim Blue – Medium blue characteristic of denim fabric, a casual wardrobe staple.

Dusty Blue – Muted blue with gray undertones, popular in romantic and vintage-inspired fashion.

Dusty Pink – Muted pink with gray undertones, favored in romantic and feminine styles.

Dusty Rose – Muted pink with gray undertones, popular in 1920s and 1980s romantic fashion.

Ecru – Unbleached beige-tan, a natural choice in 1920s and 1970s fashion.

Electric Blue – Brilliant bright blue, popular in 1980s fashion and high-energy aesthetics.

Emerald – Rich, jewel-toned green, a luxury color choice across all vintage periods.

Forest Green – Deep, dark green, popular in outdoor and sportswear across eras.

Fuchsia – Vivid purplish-pink, particularly popular in 1980s bold fashion statements.

Garnet – Deep red with brown undertones, a sophisticated jewel tone choice.

Gold – Metallic yellow, essential in 1920s glamour and 1970s metallics trend.

Goldenrod – Bright yellow with brown undertones, popular in 1970s earth palettes.

Gray – Neutral tone ranging from light to charcoal, a sophisticated choice across all eras.

Gunmetal – Dark gray with metallic finish, popular in 1920s evening accessories.

Harvest Gold – Warm, muted yellow-orange that defined 1970s color palettes.

Heather – Mixed purple-gray, commonly used in 1920s and 1970s knitwear.

Hot Pink – Vibrant bright pink, popular in 1980s fashion and club culture.

Hunter Green – Deep, dark green, a classic choice for sportswear and autumn fashion.

Indigo – Deep blue-purple, traditional dye color popular across all vintage periods.

International Klein Blue – Ultramarine blue developed by artist Yves Klein in 1960, influential in fashion.

Ivory – Creamy off-white, a popular alternative to pure white in wedding and formal wear.

Ivory Coast – Warm cream with yellow undertones, luxury textile color choice.

Jade – Medium green with blue undertones, popular in 1920s orientalist fashion trends.

Jasmine – Pale yellow, popular in 1950s feminine fashion and summer wear.

Kelly Green – Bright, clear green, particularly popular in 1960s mod fashion.

Khaki – Light brown-green, originally military, adopted into 1940s utility fashion.

Lapis – Deep blue with purple undertones, inspired by the precious stone.

Lavender – Pale purple, a feminine choice popular in 1950s and 1970s fashion.

Le Smoking Black – Deep black from Saint Laurent’s iconic 1966 tuxedo collection for women.

Lemon Yellow – Bright, clear yellow, popular in 1960s mod and 1980s bold fashion.

Lilac – Light purple with pink undertones, favored in 1950s feminine and 1970s romantic styles.

Lime – Bright yellow-green, popular in 1960s mod and 1980s neon fashion.

Magenta – Vivid purplish-red, popular in 1960s psychedelic and 1980s power dressing.

Mahogany – Deep reddish-brown, commonly used in 1940s and 1970s fashion.

Malachite – Deep green with blue undertones, inspired by the mineral.

Marigold – Bright orange-yellow named after the flower, popular in 1970s fashion.

Maroon – Dark red-brown, a sophisticated choice for formal wear across vintage periods.

Mauve – Dusty purple-pink, particularly fashionable in 1890s and revived in 1970s.

Midnight Blue – Very dark blue, a formal alternative to black in evening wear.

Mint – Light green inspired by the herb, popular in 1950s pastel collections.

Mint Green – Pale, cool green, popular in 1950s pastel palettes and summer fashion.

Mondrian Blue – Clear blue from YSL’s geometric Mondrian-inspired dresses.

Mondrian Red – Pure red featured in Yves Saint Laurent’s 1965 Mondrian collection.

Mondrian Yellow – Bright yellow completing the primary color trio in YSL’s famous collection.

Mustard – Dull yellow-brown, a key color in 1970s earth-toned fashion.

Navy – Dark blue, a timeless neutral essential in every vintage wardrobe.

Neon Green – Fluorescent lime green, popular in 1980s athletic wear and rave fashion.

Neon Pink – Fluorescent bright pink, associated with 1980s club culture and athletic wear.

Neon Yellow – Fluorescent bright yellow, featured in 1980s bold fashion statements.

New Romantic Purple – Deep purple central to 1980s New Romantic fashion movement.

Ocean Blue – Deep blue-green reminiscent of ocean waters.

Ochre – Earthy yellow-brown, popular in 1970s natural and bohemian fashion.

Off-White – Slightly warm white, popular alternative to pure white across all eras.

Olive – Muted yellow-green, particularly popular in 1940s utility fashion and 1970s earth tones.

Orange – Bright citrus tone, a bold choice in 1960s mod and 1970s fashion.

Oyster – Pale gray-white, a sophisticated neutral in luxury vintage fashion.

Paprika – Deep orange-red spice color, popular in 1970s bold fashion choices.

Pastel Blue – Very light blue, popular in 1950s spring collections and baby clothing.

Pastel Green – Very light green, common in 1950s spring fashion and Easter collections.

Pastel Pink – Very light pink, a staple of 1950s feminine fashion.

Pastel Purple – Very light purple, featured in 1950s feminine wear and romantic styles.

Pastel Yellow – Very light yellow, popular in 1950s spring and summer fashion.

Peach – Warm pink-orange, popular in 1920s, 1950s, and 1980s feminine fashion.

Peacock Blue – Rich blue-green inspired by peacock feathers, dramatic evening wear choice.

Peacock Green – Deep blue-green, another variation inspired by peacock plumage.

Pearl Gray – Lustrous light gray, a sophisticated choice for formal wear across eras.

Periwinkle – Pale blue-purple, popular in 1950s feminine fashion and 1970s romantic styles.

Persimmon – Orange with red undertones, fashionable in 1970s autumn collections.

Pewter – Muted metallic gray, commonly used in vintage buttons and accessories.

Pink – Classic feminine color, varying from pale to hot pink across different decades.

Pistachio – Light yellow-green, popular in 1950s pastel and 1970s natural palettes.

Platinum – Cool metallic silver, popular in 1920s glamour and accessories.

Plum – Deep purple with red undertones, popular in sophisticated 1940s and 1980s fashion.

Powder Blue – Very pale blue, a staple of 1950s pastel fashion and baby clothes.

Primrose – Pale yellow, a spring color popular in 1950s feminine fashion.

Pumpkin – Bright orange, a seasonal color popular in 1970s autumn fashion.

Punk Black – Matte black central to 1970s punk fashion movement and Vivienne Westwood’s designs.

Purple – Royal color ranging from light lavender to deep violet across vintage fashion.

Raspberry – Medium red-pink, popular in 1980s bold fashion and lipstick shades.

Red – Classic bold color, essential in every era from Victorian dress to 1950s glamour.

Rose – Medium pink, particularly popular in romantic 1950s and 1970s fashion.

Rose Gold – Pink-tinted metallic, fashionable in 1920s jewelry and 1980s accessories.

Royal Blue – Deep, vivid blue, a classic choice for formal and evening wear.

Rust – Reddish-brown reminiscent of oxidized iron, popular in 1970s autumn collections.

Safety Pin Silver – Metallic silver associated with punk accessories and Malcolm McLaren’s influence.

Saffron – Warm yellow-orange spice color, popular in 1970s bohemian fashion.

Sage – Gray-green herb color, popular in natural and earth-toned palettes.

Sage Green – Muted gray-green, popular in 1920s sophisticated wear and 1970s naturals.

Salmon – Pink-orange flesh tone, popular in 1950s and 1980s fashion.

Scarlet – Bright red with slight orange undertones, a dramatic evening wear choice.

Sea Green – Blue-green aquatic color, popular in 1950s resort and summer wear.

Sepia – Warm brown, commonly associated with vintage photography and earth tones.

Shocking Pink – Electric fuchsia created by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1937, her signature color.

Sienna – Warm reddish-brown earth tone, popular in 1970s natural fashion movements.

Silver – Metallic gray, popular in 1920s evening wear and 1960s space-age fashion.

Sky Blue – Clear light blue reminiscent of cloudless skies.

Slate – Blue-gray, a sophisticated neutral popular in 1940s and 1980s fashion.

Steel Blue – Cool gray-blue, commonly used in 1940s practical wear and menswear.

Sunflower Yellow – Bright yellow inspired by the flower, popular in cheerful summer fashion.

Tan – Light brown, a versatile neutral popular across all vintage periods.

Tangerine – Bright orange, popular in 1960s mod and 1970s bold fashion.

Teal – Blue-green, particularly fashionable in 1950s and 1980s fashion.

Terra Cotta – Orange-brown clay color, popular in 1970s southwestern-influenced fashion.

Thistle – Light purple-pink, a delicate choice in 1950s and 1970s romantic fashion.

Topaz – Golden yellow, inspired by the gemstone, popular in luxury accessories.

Turquoise – Bright blue-green, popular in 1950s resort wear and 1980s bold fashion.

Umber – Dark brown with slight red undertones, used in 1970s earthy palettes.

Vermillion – Bright red-orange, a dramatic choice for evening and statement pieces.

Violet – Deep purple, a sophisticated choice for evening wear across vintage eras.

White – Pure neutral, essential in every era from Victorian dress to 1960s mod fashion.

Wine – Deep red-purple, similar to burgundy, popular for formal wear.

Wisteria – Light purple, named after the flower, popular in 1970s romantic styles.

Yellow – Bright sunny color, popular in 1960s mod fashion and cheerful summer styles.

Scroll to Top