“Colors are slated to be somber and muted, say most of the designers who previewed their collections for Fashion83. For example, Ferre says gray is the new black.” (Los Angeles Times, Mar. 4, 1983)

“There is a tremendous range to the color brown,” says [textile and color specialist Elaine] Flowers, who expects brown to look updated because of the way it is paired with other colors, and used in varied textures. “It is the new black.” (Washington Post, Mar. 15, 1984)

“Navy is the new black in Paris; in London and Milan, brown is the preferred alternative.” (Washington Post, Apr. 3, 1984)

“We’re very strongly navy for the season,” he [sc. merchandising agent Joseph Martinez] said. “Navy is the new black.” (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 26, 1984)

“Colors are the new neutrals. Find a color you like and wear it with everything.” (New York Times, Sep. 16, 1979)

“Pearl gray is the new neutral, navy and black are everywhere, alone or with anything.” (Chicago Tribune, Nov. 12, 1979)

“Lila Schneider, another New York designer, said, “Pink is the new neutral — a change from the stark white of the last few years.’” (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 19, 1980)

“No one knew how to interpret all this color experimentation until one New York observer finally blurted: ‘It looks like red is the new neutral.’” (Toronto Globe & Mail, Nov. 24, 1981)

—from a discussion of the phrase “____ is the new black” at Wikipedia.