After the tumultuousness and uncertainty that have defined much of 2020, people are looking both for rock-solid dependability and a bit of sunny optimism. Those two desires come together in Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year: Ultimate Gray and the vibrant yellow Illuminating.

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”

Ripe Lemon & Wet Cement! Pantone picks two colors of the year, and they’re complete opposites. Optimism and somberness collide in Pantone’s 2021 Color(s) of the Year. Thoughts? #Pantone #2021 pic.twitter.com/OyOkIRwPS5

— Jeremy Picker (@JWPicker) December 9, 2020

Both color choices work well in the realm of promotional products. “Gray is a great foundational color, yellow is some sunshine we all need for next year,” says Jeremy Picker, co-founder and CEO of Lakewood, CO-based AMB3R (asi/590243).

The Newport jacket (7370) from Vantage Apparel comes in yellow, with contrasting gray thread in the zippers and drawcord.

The gray-and-yellow combo works for “corporate uniforms, sports teams and anything technology-related,” says Lauren Cocco, director of merchandising at Avenel, NJ-based Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390).

“Ultimate Gray and Illuminating symbolize unity, stability and hope, and I think that’s what most are looking for in 2021,” Cocco adds. “These connecting colors work really well together – Ultimate Gray is a stable neutral and Illuminating adds brightness and sunshine.”

There are multiple ways to wear the combo as well. For example, Vantage offers its Newport jacket (7370) in yellow, with gray thread in the zippers and drawcords. Another option is to layer the colors – pairing a yellow T-shirt under Vantage’s Baja hoodie (3120) in gray/white, Cocco says.

The Airgrid snag-proof polo (1579) from Edwards Garment is ideal for the office or the golf course.

Taraynn Lloyd of Kalamazoo, MI-based Top 40 supplier Edwards Garment (asi/51752) says she loves Pantone’s color choices for 2021, though she admits to being slightly biased since Illuminating is one of the shades that makes up Edwards’ logo. Still, she adds, “These colors in a garment will look great with all skin tones, and both shades work well together.”

Edwards introduced cool gray in select styles recently to “provide serenity and comfort for the wearer,” Lloyd says. “As we head into 2021, we want to discard dark colors and gain inspiration from lighter shades.”

She expects to see Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in a variety of demographics and markets next year, including healthcare, senior living, hospitality, service industries, transit and “really any market that wants their employees to feel and look their best.”

This is the first time Pantone has given the Color of the Year crown to multiple hues since it chose Rose Quartz and Serenity for 2016. Last year, the institute chose Classic Blue, and the 2018 Color of the Year choice went to Living Coral.