How to Wear Cobalt Blue This Fall

Fall wardrobes don’t have to settle into a familiar rhythm of camel, chocolate, gray and lots of black. I love those shades, but sometimes an outfit needs a little voltage. This is where I love adding some cobalt blue - clear, saturated and unapologetically bright, it brings energy to the pieces we already reach for. The key is how you style it. You can wear this seductive shade as the main event, as an unexpected pairing or as one small finishing touch. Here are three ways I’m styling Cobalt blue this fall.

Look 1:  The Bright Knit and Brown Leather

Start with a cobalt crewneck, then add chocolate leather trousers and pointed ankle boots or pumps. I love how the warmth of brown softens the intensity of the blue while the leather gives a simple sweater more presence. A small gold hoop and a brown shoulder bag are all this needs. For cooler mornings, add a camel coat and let the blue show through the opening.

Tara’s Style Edit: Treat chocolate as your base neutral. Keeping the pants, a loafer and the bag in a similar brown family gives the cobalt room to stand out. If you want to add texture or an edgier element, bring it in with the shoe. 

Look 2:  Cobalt and Charcoal for the Office

For a polished weekday look, tuck a cobalt blouse into charcoal tailored trousers or a pencil skirt and add a gray blazer. Finish with black loafers, pumps or a knee high boot and a structured tote. I’d choose a blazer with a relaxed shoulder rather than a close, corporate fit; it makes the color feel easy. Push up the sleeves slightly so the blue becomes part of the outfit’s architecture rather than disappearing under the jacket.

Tara’s Style Edit: Balance a saturated color with a quiet silhouette. Clean trousers and understated shoes make a bright knit feel entirely appropriate for work.

Look 3:  The Small Blue Detail

If bright clothing feels like a leap, build an ivory-and-denim outfit and introduce Cobalt through your bag or belt. Choose an ivory cardigan, straight leg jeans, a tan trench and sleek flats. A compact blue bag gives the whole look a focal point without requiring a new wardrobe. I’d skip additional blue accessories; one deliberate hit of color looks more interesting than a coordinated set.

Tara’s Style Edit: Place your accent color where you want the eye to land. A bright bag can do the work of several accessories.