Many of you reading this article can probably quote Miranda Priestly’s infamous “cerulean blue” speech from The Devil Wears Prada verbatim. And while the movie’s depiction of the fashion industry veers into caricature at points (those sky-high office Manolos are a work of pure fiction – at least in the 2020s), the trickle-down effect that Priestly alludes to in deliciously withering style is real.
Shop cobalt blue
Take the “pop of red” trend, which first made its debut in the 2023 collections of The Row and Ferragamo, then was swiftly embraced by the front row, before finally making its way into high street collections the following season. Almost four years on, the pop of red styling trick is still very much a feature in the wardrobes of fashion-lovers. But for 2026 there’s a new hue in town, and it’s threatening to take over as the saturated shade of the moment. World, meet the “pop of cobalt”.
With its vivid appeal, cobalt (also referred to as Yves Klein Blue – a specific, intense shade developed by the French artist in the 1950s) is a colour we haven’t seen all that much of in recent years, yet within the space of two seasons it has become a mainstay on the runway.
It all began in spring/summer 2024, in the collections of Loewe and Givenchy, where it appeared in the form of slouchy, thigh-grazing knits and sharp-shouldered satin evening coats. Sunnei and Dries Van Noten also included cobalt in their autumn/winter 2024 shows, showing angular, block-coloured ensembles that allowed the hue to truly sing. You also know that when The Row gives a shade its stamp of approval, it’s worth paying attention to. At the brand’s pre-fall 2024 show, we saw a sculptural, asymmetric cobalt blouse hit the runway, paired with oversized black tailored trousers and an equally roomy clutch bag.
If the first whispers of the trend were heard during the 2024 season, they were impossible to ignore by the time the 2026 collections rolled around. Fashion search engine Tagwalk throws up 139 results for cobalt-blue catwalk looks from the spring/summer 2026 season – and that’s probably a conservative estimate.
For some brands, such as Akris and Giorgio Armani, the shade saturated the entire collection. Lanvin even drenched its spring/summer 2026 runway staging in the shade. However, anyone who baulks at such an abundance of blue can rest easy, knowing that there were plenty of brands that embraced just a hint. Jil Sander, Celine and Wales Bonner all used the shade as a vibrant base layer – think ribbed roll necks and shirting – beneath more neutral tailored separates.
Fashion’s current golden boy, Matthieu Blazy, gave the trend his stamp of approval when he sent out a sweeping, cobalt velvet gown for Chanel’s pre-fall 2026 collection, staged in the bowels of the New York subway system. Elsewhere, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s Loewe debut was dotted with the rich blue hue via collarless jackets and thigh-grazing minidresses.
By summer 2026, the shade will be taking over the high street and your social feeds. Whether you opt for just a pop of cobalt or a head-to-toe take is down to you. Just remember: you’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room… from a pile of “stuff”. Scroll down to see how we’re styling the shade for 2026.
