Out of the ‘Blue’: Fashion’s New Surprising Workhorse

Blue is a cool and calming color that shows creativity and intelligence. It represents meanings of depth and symbolizes strength, wisdom, sincerity, loyalty, and trust. So it’s not surprising that Democratic Presidential hopefuls like Beto O’Rourke, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Andrew Yang are wearing blue shirts when they hit the campaign trail.

The ties are left off to lend an air of informality, and the sleeves are pushed up to show they mean business and are ready to get down to work. Likewise, the blue shirt has been a workhorse on the recent runways for spring 2020.

Nothing can ever take the place of the great white shirt, but its warmer toned counterpart is giving this iconic wardrobe staple a run for the money. Among the benefits: it is universally flattering on all complexions and surprisingly works as a neutral as it did at Christian Dior, where plants and gardens created an enchanted garden.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s muse for spring was the Catherine, the original Miss Dior and a sister of the house founder. This impressive woman was a member of the French Resistance and interned in a German concentration camp during World War II. She was also an avid gardener, hence the collection’s emphasis on nature and gardening.

Cotton long-sleeved button-down shirts in a vivid shade of French blue were used throughout the collection. They were the ideal accompaniment to the sportswear separates and tailored pieces in natural and black stripes, hound’ s-tooth checks and plaids. The shirts added a humble sensibility as well as a boyish charm to the floor-skimming raffia and windowpane plaid skirts.

Minimalism, elements of sport, utilitarianism, and couture-like workmanship went hand in hand at The Row. Shirt dressing is always a key signature for the Olsen twins, and it was this season. Sky blue imbued a welcome and surprising touch of color to the clean palette of black, white, and tan. And it added warmth to the minimalism.

Among the standouts was the sky blue button-down shirt layered over an indigo turtleneck and paired with a hip slung narrow ankle-length skirt with two pronounced pockets.

A sky blue camp shirt with wide cropped sleeves provided the perfect counterbalance to a couture-like black organza skirt covered in petals.

Ecological awareness is central to Stella McCartney’s message, and spring 2020 was her most sustain-ably made collection yet. It was a mix of haberdashery, feminine fluidity, and elements of utilitarian sportswear. More than 75 percent of the materials used (organic cotton, recycled polyester, Econyl, and hemp) were eco-friendly. Graphic black and white stripes were presented alongside softer paler neutrals, and shades of blue were often mixed.

Among the notable ensembles were the pale blue cotton voile shirt with scalloped trim, and pointed collar. The billowy sleeves resulted in a cape-like effect. It was shown with a fluid knee-length skirt and accessorized with a leather bag with netting.

And what can be a better accompaniment to slouchy acid-washed jeans than a billowy two pocketed relaxed camp shirt in a complementary shade of blue?

Stella may be in a “blue” mood, but she has no reason to feel down. The designer was recently added to the LVMH stable, and she is an advisor to Bernard Arnault, head of the world’s biggest luxury maker. Mr. Arnault called the partnership “the beginning of a beautiful story together” and stated that the “decisive factor” in his business decision was McCartney’s desire to “put sustainability and ethical issues on the front stage” in her fashion house.

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