You’ll want to listen to Tim Gunn when he tells you to use Tide TotalCare to keep your colors vibrant because Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems, has announced their Fashion Color Report for Fall 2009! FabSugar reports, “‘the most popular colors for Fall really represent a thoughtful palette. That’s a direct outcome of what’s happening in the world around us,’ said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, who also noted that somber yet hopeful colors reflect the troubling economy.”

As seen in the above color swatches, Pantone has chosen subtle colors that are classic and easy to wear. Colors such as American Beauty, Purple Heart, Honey Yellow and Rapture Rose are just some of the unique colors featured all over the runways during New York Fashion Week. Lacoste is a prime example of using these dusty colors during their Fall ’09 show.

Consumers are looking for colors that compliment each other. Bright and flashy colors are too trendy for people to wear time and time again. Wearing the more muted tones makes it easier to mix and match with the unique and fun pieces purchased when we actually could afford to splurge. Consumers are becoming more thrifty and conscious of what they buy, so it is imperative for colors to be versatile.

Check out the full list of Fall colors and their descriptions at FabSugar.

Photo: FabSugar Reveals Top 10 Fall Colors

Photo: Coutorture: Lacoste Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week

Only a few months ago I pulled a mustard-yellow skirt from the rack of Alula. Now that I think about it, the mustard-yellow color is very similar to the color Pantone calls “Mimosa.”

“Pantone, the ‘global authority on color,”‘has selected Mimosa as the color of the year for 2009,” explains The Cut. This color trend is perfect for brightening up the days of Spring and bringing a fashion diva back to life! This yellow hue is refreshing and exciting to the senses.”The colour yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, tells MARKETWATCH.COM

It is important to note that many designers have already taken to this sunny color. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer featured Samantha Critchell’s article about this particular craze, “In the spring fashion collections previewed earlier in the fall for retailers and editors, pops of yellow brightened the runways of Carolina Herrera — who called her favorite shade marigold — Badgley Mischka, Zac Posen and Michael Kors, among others. Kors even included a retro yellow polka-dot bikini that clearly harked back to a more upbeat time.”

British Vogue says “Mimosa represents hope and optimism – buzzwords for the new year after a 2008 full of instability and upheaval.” I urge everyone to look out for pieces in this color; it pairs with almost every color and brings life to your wardrobe. Many consumer are not adding as many pieces to their wardrobe because of the tough economy, but I believe this is one color that will help you persevere through these times and into a bull market!