Comeon youblues

Brighten your mood – and your wardrobe – with this season’s latest hues, says Jacqueline Wake Young

Blue, perhaps more than other colour, has featured heavily in the events of 2020. It is the colour of the NHS, the oceans, Facebook, Twitter, Zoom and various political events which have dominated this year’s headlines. It’s also the colour of a Tiffany box, Pepsi and Ford – and then of course there’s the Blues.

According to marketing expert Rachel Palmateer, blue is associated with reliability and responsibility and “evokes emotions of professionalism, authority, and trust”.

If that’s what blue can do for a brand, imagine what it can do for you.

There’s an adage “work smarter not harder” so if you’re trying to impress at an interview, a tailored suit in a striking shade of blue might just do some of the talking for you. Blue is classy, restrained and tinged with nostalgia. Tom Ford’s dinner suit for Daniel Craig’s James Bond is midnight blue.

Princess Diana danced with John Travolta at the White House wearing a gown by Victor Edelstein in dark blue velvet.

Jackie Kennedy knew how to rock a single-shade suit and matching pillbox hat in Sleeping Beauty blue.

(It is also said she was responsible for the livery of Air Force One, described by Donald Trump as “luminous ultramarine blue” who wants it changed.)

Typically more flattering than black and more interesting than grey, anyone can wear blue, it’s just a case of matching shade to skin tone.

So if a Royal blue does nothing for you, perhaps an Oxford blue, navy, indigo or petrol blue will.

Lauren dress, £85, and Elize blazer £160, Kaya Turello.

Midi dress with belt, £55, Monsoon.

Blue suit jacket, £58.99, TX Maxx.

Victoria blazer, £160 and Karen trousers £70, Kaya Turello.