When Pantone announced its 2014 color of the year, we had a nagging suspicion we'd seen it somewhere before.
"Radiant Orchid" isn't just a warmed up, more vibrant version of the purple color paint brand Sherwin Williams previously named next year's hottest hue, but a color that Pantone itself highlighted among one pastel-loving decade's biggest influences -- the 1980s.
According to the color authority, who looked at 50 years of color trends in this infographic, the 80s were a time when the economy turned around, vibrant colors made a comeback and, well, purple reigned.
Here's a look at 80s orchid and how far the hue has come (after the jump).
Then...
![pantone color of the year]()
And now...
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"Radiant Orchid" isn't just a warmed up, more vibrant version of the purple color paint brand Sherwin Williams previously named next year's hottest hue, but a color that Pantone itself highlighted among one pastel-loving decade's biggest influences -- the 1980s.
According to the color authority, who looked at 50 years of color trends in this infographic, the 80s were a time when the economy turned around, vibrant colors made a comeback and, well, purple reigned.
Here's a look at 80s orchid and how far the hue has come (after the jump).
Then...

And now...
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**
Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)