Fashion - Summer of the Blues

All shades of blue make for a momentous summer of style.

If there's one colour you should consider adding to your wardrobe right now, it's blue.

The shade has been prominent on the international catwalks for some time now, but its abundance in Tauranga is just beginning to tidal wave.

Blue has, in the past, been associated with military-style trends (think gold-buttoned jackets) and nautical (stripes and sailor-inspired suiting).

But this season it's omnipresent in many guises and personalities for all to enjoy and in every shade on the blue spectrum: azure, baby, cobalt, cornflower, corporate, cyan, indigo, midnight, navy, sapphire, sky, slate and steel blue. Even accessories are taking their cues from the cool, calm and collected tones.

A big fan of the colour, particularly navy tones, is Kate Middleton. Her blue Issa dress, which she wore at the announcement of her engagement to William, is now famous the world over.

But far from being confined to royal heights, cadet status, or even the staid, stuffy or conservative connotations blue has fallen victim to in the past, it is now fun, free and manifesting in everything from casual wear to light evening dresses.

The other shift in our dealings with blue as a sartorial staple is that it is now not only acceptable to wear it with black, but encouraged. So, there's simply no excuse not to introduce it to your current ensembles.

Cream and white obviously work well with blue, too, especially for a fresh feel during the warmer months. However, the true trendsetters among you will go for a top-to-toe look - opting for blue down to the shoes you wear.