Out of the blue
Nothing defines summer better than the shades of blue as these are the most soothing colours that can be your favourite this season. Blue, as a colour, is very pleasing to the eyes and is loved by all. This very character makes it a shade that easily adapts itself across seasons but of course with the multiple variances in the tone. Denim blue, ice blue, cobalt blue and turquoise are all a hit in the summers because of its refreshing, bright and perky appeal for all.
Soft pinks and blues may sound subtle, but when styled in the right way, they can be as eye – catching as a bright pop of colour. For designer Nikasha, out of all the shades of blue, navy blue stands out for several reasons as it’s one of the neutral-toned colours, which is perfect for mix-and-match purposes. She says, “Navy blue trousers are good examples of wardrobe staples that mix well with other separates. Pair your navy-blue outfit with neutral colours like light/ toned down hues of navy with other blues like teal and turquoise. Accessorise your outfit with scarves, belts, and jewellery. Also, you can DIY your blue scarf and style it in a way like a tube-top and pair it with silver or bright colour neckpiece to go with.”
Shades like azure, turquoise, navy blue, and powder blue bring in freshness, coolness, and depth to in the wardrobe. Designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi point out that blue is a hue that simply shouldn’t be missed from the Spring-Summer palette. “The bright blue shades are versatile and can be paired with lighter or darker shades. Wear an off shoulder ruffled blouse and layer it with a cropped jacket and pencil skirt, paired with a casual flat and add to it; a statement necklace to rock the summer look. Pairing blue on blue can be a great idea – one can pair a lighter shade of blue with a bold darker shade of accessories to enhance the look.”
Blue is easily one of the colours to experiment with, says designer Ambika Lal. Indian women can also fuse Indo Western looks in blue and try out a chanderi blue embroidered tunic and pair it with matching pants for daywear. Nightwear could be georgette flowing printed deep blue tunic paired with the same coloured churidar. She suggests, “Add a bit of spunk by teaming a printed blue blazer with any black outfit. Another option could be cobalt blue jumpsuit or a blue pantsuit teamed up with accessories. Try a top to toe outfit in azure blue and pair it with metallic jewellery, a tan handbag and matching shoes to flaunt a classic summer look.”
For summers, blue linen washouts, worn-out ankle-length pants, loose baggy denim shirts, and shorts blend well. An ice blue formal shirt or a printed tier shirt or a wrap over jacket will do magic, but remember that bright blue or pastels would team well with maybe a white, baby pink or peach rather than any dark colour owing to the season, points out Harssh Chheda, founder of bespoke tailoring service. He mentions, “Summer is a time when floral prints are in and florals on a blue background are always a hit. One can also try donning the combination of blue on blue by matching the ice blue loose fit cotton shirt with worn out ice blue or dark blue linen pants or shorts. Given to this pleasant hue, minimal accessories in blue, a classy black or white jute belt or a single statement neck piece works well. Loose round neck t-shirts and chinos are very classy and easy to manage in the weather. One can also opt for an all-blue outfit camouflage and attain a thinner appearance. For instance, dark blue ankle length pants with a mint blue washed are an all-time favourite for men.”
Blue on blue is a combination that many follow, one could keep in mind that different shades of blue can be worn together but for example, if you’re wearing a bluish grey jacket with trousers of a slightly darker tone of blue you could break it with a beige shirt or t-shirt. Also for women, if one is wearing a mint blue tunic with a blue scarf then break it with ivory pants suggests designer Kunal Anil Tanna. He adds, “In summer, one can go with powder blue or fun blue checks or stripes in a shirt for men. Another great option is mint blue chinos with a regular tee. For women, on the other hand, a printed midi with lighter tones of blue or a printed mint blue tunic is a great option. For men, a powder blue or teal linen ribbed jacket paired with cotton trousers is a good choice.”