Pantone's Greenery: the colour of 2017 signifies new beginnings

Pantone has revealed the colour of 2017 will be a bright grass green, called (somewhat unimaginatively but pleasingly nonetheless) Greenery, reasoning that, after the year we've had, we will all be feeling the need to reconnect with nature in the next 12 months.

As the undisputed global expert in colour Pantone has more than just a knack for picking the shades and hues the define our moods year in year out. For 2016 it cheated by giving us two colours of the year, a baby pink and baby blue – or to give them their proper names Rose Quartz and Serenity – to reflect the blurring of traditional gender lines.

So why will we all be attracted to what Pantone quite charmingly describes as "nature's neutral" colour in 2017? And why this particular shade of 15-0343?

Apparently it is symbolic of a new beginning and it does indeed evoke a sense of fresh shoots of grass or early flower buds. After a year of shock political events, the loss of such hugely important cultural figures from David Bowie to Prince and Zaha Hadid to name just a few, and the escalating refugee crisis, starting afresh in 2017 is a most appealing prospect.

"Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment. Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalise, Greenery symbolises the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose," says executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman.

The one potential drawback for Greenery when it comes to fashion is that green (along with yellow and orange) has historically been a difficult colour for retailers to sell, though Gucci's design maestro Alessandro Michele has produced some best sellers (that metallic trouser suit and sheer lace dress spring to mind) in shades of emerald over the past year.

However for those that are a little reticent and don't want to go head to toe, there are always accessories, trims and accents. And, of course, the trusty Pantone mug, which is available to buy now in this new shade for those who want to get in on the new beginnings trend a bit early. Let's face it, that's likely to be a lot of people...