Into the blue

TURQUOISE, navy, sapphire, midnight and especially teal – blue is the colour for autumn. Stephanie Smith talks heaven on earth.

For a colour that is supposed to represent peace, harmony and serenity, blue actually kicks up a surprising amount of controversy and debate. I was once in a sassy little boutique when the store manager, who was “helping” me, stated that one should not wear black leggings with a navy blue tunic dress.

Quite where, when and why she had reached this conclusion remained unclear, but she was adamant.

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I ignored her, of course, because she was wrong, and anyway, I don’t hold with the idea that certain colour combinations are always a no-no. It’s blinkered thinking and, if adhered to, fashion and design would never evolve and continue to surprise in the way that it does.

Remember the days when we were told that pink and orange shouldn’t go together, and neither should pink and red, because they clash. Well, yes, that’s the point – an intriguing near-tone colour block clash that only really works in strong colour.

This coming autumn, head to toe blue will be a striking and flattering look that many of us will want to go for.

There are lots of blues around for the season, ranging in the darks from an inky midnight blue through navy (which always makes me think of Kate Middleton, as does beige) and royal blue to teals and near-turquoises, and then the jewel-bright sapphire and amethyst tones,

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Texture is hugely important as blue speaks in both shine and matt. Teal in matt is a key look for the season, especially on structured shift dresses, nipped in and curvy, clinging but not unflatteringly so, as it’s all part of a the ultra feminine Fifties’ inspired looks as brought to our attention by TV series such as Mad Men and now The Hour (although take note, The Hour is set in the 1950s, whereas Mad Men is actually set across the 1960s – just in case you also like to be pedantic).

This gorgeous turquoise and teal tweed shift dress by India Hicks for Viyella (main picture, right) is a perfect example of the sophisticated marrying of colour, texture and form for the season, and just think how many ways you could accessorise it for so many different looks. Try gold, black, cream, red, mustard, sage green, purple – this is an excellent dressing up and down dress of precisely the sort that we should all be going for in the current economic climate, making our wardrobe work hard, re-wearing the same key pieces. Kate Middleton is setting the right example on this score.

Don’t underestimate the impact of blue as an accent or accessory choice too. A teal or sapphire clutch, a blue pair of heels, even a blue faux fur stole, these are the items that will add a note of vibrancy to your outfit – and the great thing is, you can wear blue accessories as a contrast or as part of a same colour tone outfit.

Time to get into the blue.

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