Blue skies: Ten ways to take your wardrobe into the clouds

"The refined disposition of pastel blue transforms when paired with glossy mock croc in bold colours like cherry red and oxblood or when elevated by 3-D embellishments..."

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024 - 15:14

Annmarie O'Connor - @aocdotme

It’s peak spring and pastels rule the runways. Last season’s hero hue Barbiecore pink has mellowed into a case of the spring blues from sky and cornflower iterations to powder, pale and baby brethren. Nothing new, perhaps.

What is novel are the colour combinations reimagining traditional style tropes. Move over delicate and dainty. We’ve got a fresh take for your ‘fit. Let’s see how.

Don’t be afraid to toy with textures. The refined disposition of pastel blue transforms when paired with glossy mock croc in bold colours like cherry red and oxblood or when elevated by 3-D embellishments like Essentiel Antwerp’s floral shirt.

Prefer something earthier? Look to homegrown brand Magee 1866 for soft blue Liberty prints coupled with tactile tweeds and linens in natural colourways.

In fashion, ‘the third piece rule’ is revered as the secret to effortless styling. The same can be applied to combining colours. Forget outdated advice like ‘blue and green should never be seen’. Combine baby blue with teal and introduce a pop of camel for an unexpected trio.

For higher contrast, pair pastel blue with optic white. Then add an unexpected twist with a darker anchor such as chocolate, forest green or mustard.

Better yet, look ahead to the autumn/winter `24 palette for extra trend mileage. Red, grey and brown continue to dominate as does pale blue under the titular ‘winter sky’.

Prefer a shortcut? Follow my lead with a pair of sky-blue ballet flats from Zara or Stine Goya’s sculptural ‘Monaco’ heels. Add a ‘jeans and a nice top’ combo and you’re good to go.