Ink blue: the new black
February 11th, 2008I got very excited about this colour last year when it wasn’t quite as mainstream as it is today. It’s darker than navy but not quite black. It’s what I call ink blue and it’s a refreshing “new” neutral that works with just about anything. I like ink blue best with citrusy limes and yellows, cream and cobalt. It’s obviously fabulous with emerald and Kelly green, white and any shade of red, but pairing it with a sour hue packs a crisp modern punch.
Darker than traditional navy blue, ink blue is warmer than black, less blah than brown, newer than grey and definitely my favourite neutral at the moment. It’s richness makes it universally wearable and chic.
Combining ink blue with citrus green, white and cobalt is becoming a favourite colour combination.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I love the look of this color, but don’t have any of it in my wardrobe yet. Would it look good on a pale, dark haired summer pallet girl?
February 11th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Ha ! I am ahead of the trends ! I am ahead of the trends !
*does a little dance*
I had decided to stop weraing black, and choose another colour as “my black”, on that looks good on me and is not as §$%&§ popular as black (I don’t want to go with the black crowds !)
So, after deliberating between browns, dark blues and greys, I went for the inky blues… and now the worls is following in suit !
Sarah
From what I know, you should rather wear washed out shades… strong colours will look to severe. I guess you can wear it below the waist though (not near the face).
February 11th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Yes, I already have it in my wardrobe, too. Love it! Sarah, the first model above sure looks like a pale, dark-haired summer type girl, and she looks great in that blouse!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:17 am
If paired in the right combination, it’s going to look good Sarah. Combine ink blue with dirty shades of blue and purple for starters.
Bravo that you are ahead of the game Rhonda and Eternalvoyageur. I too started incorporating this ultra dark rich hue into my wardrobe last year and I love it.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I LOVE this trend… especially since I, too, have begun to choose blue as my new wardrobe black. It looks so much better on me and is much less boring.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:06 am
love that first look, the palette is perfection
February 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
The colors on the first model ARE perfection. But the contours of the trench on the second model…it’s just so flattering.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I love the color–but not so much as a replacement for black. I love black, never tire of it, and wouldn’t want to replace it in my wardrobe. I have not seen much of this color in stores though–I’ll have to keep looking. I’d love to pick up a spring top, perhaps a cardigan, in this hue.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
What color shoes do you wear with ink blue? Black doesn’t seem to work. You can’t find blue shoes that match. I have an ink blue suit and have worn red shoes with it. That worked, but what else?
February 11th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I’ve never much seen this color before so I learned something new today! I’ve always had somewhat of an aversion to “real” navy, but this I’ll have to keep an eye out for.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Red is a super shoe colour choice Eva, and so is green, yellow, white, cream and metal. Cobalt might work too.
Banana Republic, J Crew and Nordstrom’s are full of this colour Nicole and I agree with you that it’s not necessarily a replacement for black. It’s a nice alternative.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Actually, I have more the completion of the second model (the redhead) and the hair of the first. Like Angie said though, I think I can pull it off if I mix it with the right colors. Thanks everyone!
February 12th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I *heart* inky blue but I hate navy blue and have banned black…so this works out great for me!
February 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The new dark blue color is amazing. I noticed it yesterday in Marie Claire. It goes with everything and is much cooler than black.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:43 am
[…] (which also happens to be French for “lemon”). I like the colour best when it’s worn with ink blue, white or a rich tomato red. It is also is lovely when matched with emerald green, light turquoise, […]
March 7th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Wow! i´ve never thought about it.. wearing inky blue as an alternative of black… that looks great.. you guys are right, everyone wears black… blah, and brown. i just hate it. I don´t know what do u guys think, but charcoal, is a great dark color too.