color story

birth control blue, manzanilla olive green, and kidney bean red

It all started with this shot from the Gucci F/W 2024 runway.

via Vogue Runway

This exquisite color pairing combines a shade of deep reddish-purple (referred to in multiple publications as ‘oxblood,’ but also ‘burgundy’ and ‘merlot’) with an acidic green.¹ I’d actually independently tried and loved this color combo the month before, but the runway shot solidified it for me as something to return to.

I selected these three items for my latest Rent the Runway order, and noticed upon their arrival how well all three colors went together.

Holzweiler Hafjell sweater; Mansur Gavriel mini zip bucket bag; Proenza Schouler White Label Florence top

Yes, I could continue to refer to these colors as oxblood or burgundy or olive green, but I’ve always harbored a slight contrarian urge and an editorial preference (some might call it a pathology) for specificity and accuracy. Naming something after a wine feels like taking the easy way out, and olive green applies to such a wide range of shades. Therefore, I’ve renamed this color trio with reference objects that feel more accurate: birth control blue, manzanilla olive green, and kidney bean red.

The blue I’m interested in right now has no hint of seafoam, nothing murky, no edge of yellowed parchment; it’s just shy of periwinkle. Powder blue as in, if you crushed up these pills, that would be the color of the powder. While olive green as a descriptor covers everything from calamata to niçoise, this particular olive is closest to manzanilla, the type that is often jarred and stuffed with pimento, not the more brilliant green of the Castelvetrano. As for the red—kidney beans are the closest shade match, not only in color but sheen and opacity (wine is see-through!)

If you, too, are drawn to the manzanilla olive/kidney bean combo and further enticed by the addition of birth control blue, here are some picks for you (with possible outfit combos following.)

By Far leather mini bag, $128; Simon Miller leather mules (5), $132; Proenza Schouler White Label v-neck sweater (M), $72; Jimmy Choo satin slides (6.5), $76; Norma Kamali ruched shirt (XS), $92; Intentionally Blank boots (7), $95 (the By Far bag and the Norma Kamali top are more Castelvetrano than manzanilla… so sue me!)

Vince lamb leather skirt (4), $95; Javier Simorra leather jacket (S), $92; Building Block leather clutch, $109; Building Block leather box bag, $132; Elements by Vakko leather skirt (XS), $92

Theory cashmere lace-up sweater (S), $132; Azeeza silk crop top (S), $148; T by Alexander Wang sleeveless button-up (2), $63; Proenza Schouler tie-dye sweatshirt (XS), $72; Sablyn silk midi skirt (XS), $95

Honestly, the vibe is: wear it all together? A very light wash denim or a very dark raw denim would also work, as would mixing in a grey somewhere.

What colors have you been experimenting with lately? What’s the most unlikely color pairing you’ve tried out recently?

As always, a reminder (for myself, and whoever else needs to hear this): The joy is also in the find, and not solely in the acquisition. But also—let me know if you buy anything!

<3 E

1. LaPlaca, Anna. “Burgundy! Oxblood! Merlot! 2024's "Rich" Color Trend That Will Be Everywhere.” Who What Wear, 31 October 2023. https://www.whowhatwear.com/burgundy-color-trend

Huber, Eliza. “The Elegant Color Every Celeb Will Be Wearing in 2024.” Who What Wear, 20 December 2023. https://www.whowhatwear.com/oxblood-celebrity-color-trend

Criales-Unzueta, José. “A New It Color Just Dropped at Sabato De Sarno’s Gucci Debut.” Vogue, 22 September 2023. https://www.vogue.com/article/gucci-sabato-de-sarno-debut-red-color