I find myself wearing a lot of blue these days. It used to be grey, but I’ve somehow gravitated to the inkier hue. Perhaps I’m subconsciously playing up the darker shades in my hair rather than the rapidly multiplying greys.
All blue can sound dull. But when you play with texture, it is possible to keep things interesting. When you learn to wear just one color, you can feel very confident mixing and matching others into your wardrobe choices.
(Unknown provenance, Let me know and I’ll take it down.)
Let’s start with the now-ubiquitous blue jeans. Being winter here, I would mix in a chunky navy sweater, sky blue shirt, navy and white dots scarf, and stop short of blue suede shoes, opting instead for brown polished calf brogues or dark brown driving moccasins.
(I don’t know this blog, but click on the photo and it will take you there.)
Moving up the scale of formality to what I call the middle ground — smart casual — begins with the addition of a sportcoat. You may be tempted to reach for a trusty navy blazer, but a sportcoat in a blue pattern is more interesting, particularly when paired with blue flannel trousers. Add a blue shirt, blue tie — or not — and brown suede shoes (loafers, monkstraps, oxfords, what-have-you), and you’re ready for just about anything short of a royal audience.
(Source: Imgentleboss.tumblr.com)
What about the business suit? Blue shirt, solid grenadine tie, cordovan, brown or black oxfords. Boardroom ready. When you’re comfortable with this, choose the cordovan shoes and switch to a maroon grenadine tie for a very elegant daytime look.
(These are on sale….)
After work is when you can really play. I was reminded of this at a dinner party Mrs. E. and I attended. Good friend, The Architect, walked into the room wearing a midnight blue suit coat, navy cashmere polo neck sweater, navy trousers and black velvet Stubbs and Wootten slippers. The only hint of color was the white linen handkerchief in his breast pocket. Very understated and elegant.
If you’re a bit tired of the Pitti peacockery and rainbow colors, try dialing it back to the basics for a moment. Just to see how it feels.
