Maybe it’s the prevalence of blue this year. Maybe it’s my greying hair shifting my perspective on the colours I will wear. Whatever it is, I am on the brink of adding an unprecedented amount of blue to my closet this summer.

I think it started with these wild floral pants I picked up last fall. I decided I wanted a long blue and white striped chambray-ish shirt (probably tencel) that would pick up the blue in the pant and add some nice variety to my summer wardrobe.

Then I found not one but two pairs of navy linen pants I quite like. (Jury is still out on whether I will fit the second pair, currently a tad snug for comfort).

One of the reasons I have traditionally avoided navy is that I never have enough to go with it since black has been my main neutral, even in summer.

Since I’m basically starting a summer wardrobe from square one this year, I feel a more justified in picking up several tops to pair with the. navy pants.

Most are some variation on navy and white. Two are a bit more of a wild card for me - a lighter, brighter blue (I don’t think either of these counts as cobalt?)

I don’t know if I have ever owned a top in this colour. Now I’m considering two, quite opposite from each other in every way:

1. The ladylike blouse. Has a bit of golden brown in the pattern that makes it a slam dunk with those patterned pants I showed you a few days ago. Great with the brown linen topper. Will work with jeans, white pants, navy, grey… versatile.

2. Borrowed from the boys. Menswear inspired oversized striped popover blouse. Reads as a false plain. Works with the crazy floral pants and, I think, with virtually a bazillion other things. Good over slim crops but I think I also like it semi tucked into a wider leg pant or jeans.

I always covet menswear style shirts but the right fit has been elusive. I think this being popover rather than full button makes a big difference for me. Also the little tucks sewn at the hem add a nice bit of structure.

This one has about 40% polyester which will make it less cool, but probably help reduce wrinkling. I am also considering a Navy and white version of this same style in 100% cotton. (On a non blue note but related to Friday’s blog post, I also bought it in a light purple stripe! I am obsessed. But I think I will commit to and wear one of them before committing to the other two, just in case reality doesn’t match my fantasy.)

Because this is so oversized, I’m trying to choose between the small and extra small. Medium is probably my ‘correct’ size, but it is a lot. I think these photos are of the small. (Just realized the photo with the floral pants is the navy blouse, but it gives the idea. That might be the medium.)

The ladylike blouse is still a bit more of a question mark. I am surprised by how much I like this shade of blue and pleased at how versatile this blouse could be with the pieces I’m collecting for this summer. The puffed sleeves are a tiny bit bulky under the thin linen jacket but they are no problem with a denim jacket (also new to me!) The fabric is polyester that has an almost cottony feel and a bit of a crinkle texture.

After a lifetime of not wearing blue, this most popular and “conservative” colour feels revolutionary to me.

Have you started to wear a totally new to you colour? What factors contributed to adding the new colour? And do you think you will continue to enjoy the new colour in the longer term?

Other blue or blue and white items I am considering for this summer (if it ever arrives) shown in finds.

Thanks for reading my musings. Comments, questions and suggestions always welcome!