WHAT TO WEAR WITH BLUE - Outfit ideas from Pastel to Deepest Blue.

• The Hatista
• Colour Post
• December 5th 2021 / Last Updated: March 6th 2023

Pantone colour of the year for 2020, was CLASSIC BLUE. A reliable colour between Royal and Navy. A colour we all know, wear, understand and trust. A colour that is season less.

The American print company, which chooses a new shade every year, says that it is a “timeless and enduring hue, elegant in its simplicity. A solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.”

Classic Blue is a versatile shade, in between Royal and Navy. Almost a French Navy. Classic Blue is a shade of Blue that takes on distinct appearances through application to different materials, finishes and textures from shimmering metallics, lustrous sheens and high-tech materials.

Pantone first colour of the year was named back in 2000, and was Cerulean Blue. The colour for the Millennium, chosen for its calming effect. This delicate pastel blue recalls the sky on a clear sunny Spring day. A soothing shade to those that seek inner peace and tranquility.

Cerulean blue has again been picked in the Pantone top colour list for 2021, and for many seeking the peace, hope and tranquility after the pandemic in 2020, Cerulean blue could be the colour that provides us with this. A shade of blue that brings both joy and comfort with it's delicate touch.

Cerulean Blue, Cornflower Blue, and Serenity Blue are all pale Blue shades that have been a favourite for Mother of the the Brides for some years, and I have no doubt we will be sure to see many a Mother of the Bride wearing these shades in 2022. Either alone or combined with Classic Blue from 2020, or Living Coral from 2019. Both pair excellently with light blues shades.

Here are my suggestions on working with Blue.

This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.

What colours to wear with Classic Blue

In terms of what colours can you wear it with, the list is almost endless. It could be worn with Mint, Fuchsia, Mustard, Cornflower Blue, Orange, Turquoise, Teal, Orchid, Peach... and many of the previous years colours of the year including Living Coral, Rose Quartz, Serenity Blue, Cerulean Blue, Radiant Orchid, Emerald Green, and Greenery. Take your pick. Classic Blue could almost be treated as a neutral - colours that are not extremely eye-grabbing on their own and can thus be mixed and matched to absolutely any other colour depending on your mood. Feeling serene? Pair with a Sky Blue. Feeling excited? pair with Orange. Calm? pair with Mint.

Blue and Green SHOULD be seen - Classic Blue with almost any Mid to Light Green

Many believe Blue and Green should never be seen, but this rule only applies when the tone and hue are similar. You might not want to mix your navy with deepest dark green, or lime with a sky blue, but pair with contrasting tones and the mix can be magic.

Try Classic Blue, Sapphire, French Navy, or Royal with Lime or Apple and the combination is definitely a zesty one to be seen.

For Spring / Summer and through Autumn it will pair well with the Avacado hue - Greenery (Pantones colour of the year back in 2017).

Find it in your Florals

Graphic Floral Print dresses are always on trend. Floral dresses are the essence of feminine charm. Blue is a colour that you will find in 100’s of Floral prints. If you don't want to wear dark blue on it’s own, then a floral print is perfect. You can then select accessories in other colours to wear with the outfit.

Remember: If choosing florals or other highly graphic prints, then select accessories in single colour. Don’t try wearing a busy, multi-coloured statement hat, and a graphic print. Allow just one of them to be the star. If you must wear the biggest, multi-coloured, statement hat for Royal Ascot or Kentucky Derby, then do that with a simple monotone dress, not florals.

Pair Classic Blue with other Neutrals

Now that everyone (hopefully everyone) is rejecting fast fashion, in favour of buying clothes that will see them past just this years hot trends, you want to be buying clothes that will still be on trend next year. A sure way to do this is to choose neutrals of course, that can be worn again and again with many outfits. A light neutral will offer a nice contrast to dark blue, then on another day / year re-use either neutral popped with a vibrant colour for a totally new outfit.

A dark blue and neutrals can be a great combination whether you are looking for a casual look or something more formal.

Fun and Optimistic with Candy Pink

Hear the suggestion of a Mid Tone Classic Blue and Candy Pink and your first instinct might be - “Really?”. But yes, this combination is truly a fun one for injecting a girly colour to the neutral blue. Of all the colour pairings for Blue, this Pink is the freshest and most joyous.

Colours are often responsible for the way we feel. Choose this combination for your friends wedding, or day at the races, and you’re guaranteed a playful day.

Some Other Fabulous Blues I've found for your Outfits:

Below is a Gallery of other Internet Finds for adding versatile blue colours to your wardrobe in various doses.