Classic Blue: Pantone’s Color of the Year

On December 4, Pantone announced its color of the year for 2020: Classic Blue. Not so ground-breaking, right? Think again. Ignore the subdued connotations of the word “classic” and you’ll find there’s more to this shade than first meets the eye.

“Colour expresses how we feel and this particular blue captures our desire for calm, dependability, stability and constancy, as we are nervous about entering the next decade,” explains Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “We want to feel secure and welcomed.”

As Pressman points out, this new tone is born out of the mindset of the ‘buy less, buy better’ generation, in that it stands for timelessness and longevity. Classic Blue’s relevance in 2020 reflects the shift in our environmental conscience, hence why we are gravitating towards colors that won’t be out of fashion any time soon, the trends expert tells Vogue. 

Given that many of you are considering the environment when you buy new things, this makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Many of my blogging peers are buying “preloved” fashion pieces and they pick up some really nice things. I’m just beginning to explore this idea. What do you think?

In the meantime, classic blue is a lovely color that almost any of us can wear or decorate with. In my home, I have kind of an eclectic coastal theme and have been adding blue to my decor. It’s such an easy, restful color, isn’t it?

How to Style Classic Blue

There are actually two hues for the classic blue. A more vivid blue and a subtle almost dusty blue version. Both are easy to work into an outfit, and I’ll bet you have one or the other–or both–in your closet.

Here are some nice examples of classic blue fashion in tops:

Tips for Styling Classic Blue

A never-fail look is to style a monochrome blue outfit. This is a classic style that always works. But, If you do not want all-over blue in your outfit, try it following one of these ways:

• With mid- to light greens
• In a floral pattern
• Contrast it with pink or aqua
• Pair it with neutrals

As always, you can incorporate any color trend into your outfit with just a touch here and there: a scarf, a necklace or earrings, a handbag, or just in your top or your bottom piece.

Here is my take on styling this trend.

My Classic Blue Outfits

I first styled this green trench coat with similar colors a couple of years ago in a post about that year’s Pantone Color of the Year.  Yes, greenery was the “Color of the Year” that year! For this outfit, I’ve re-styled the spring green coat with all blue–in this case, I chose a vivid blue shade. Such a fun color combo! I love the contrast of the two vivid colors. These two-color contrasting outfits are a big trend this spring!

Don’t you just love these bright suede booties?!! I picked them up a couple of years ago and pull them out when I want something fun and new. They go perfectly with my vivid blue pants and top!

The vivid blue pants are older Pixie Pants from Old Navy.  Check out these straight leg pants in “modern blue”  The top is similar to this blue henley tunic–on sale, too.

More Classic Blue Looks

In a post last year, I styled this lighter version of a classic blue with a neutral jacket in the post Mix Classic and Trendy in a Maxi Skirt Outfit. I liked the contrast! The blue of the top and the skirt are in the same family, but not exact matches. And it works! Both pieces are from Chico’s. Don’t you just love these snakeskin booties?

Solid denim shades can also serve as classic blue. This is an example of the darker blue. You may remember this look from a recent post. I love to add a pop of color to a basic denim outfit!

You can also incorporate classic blue in a floral. I first styled this dress in the post Floral Chiffon Dress for a Summer Wedding. I love the vivid pinks and yellows on the blue background. Any chance you have a floral-on-blue dress in your closet? If so, you’re right on trend this year!!

It’s nice to see a color trend like Classic Blue as we can surely make use of the many blue pieces we already have. Especially with the current movement toward sustainable fashion. More about that in a later post! And stay tuned for some more ideas for styling Pantone’s Color of the Year: Classic Blue.