A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 3. Cobalt Blue

Bold blocks of bright colours juxtaposed against this seasons creamy pastels injects vibrancy inspired by holidays to exotic foreign paradises.....but enough about that; here's our blog series of this seasons bright bold colours:

(Image sourced from http://thestore.com/blog/3-striking-ways-to-add-the-cobalt-blue-trend-to-your-spring-wardrobe/)

We've seen it before and we'll see it again: cobalt blue is big this season which is excellent news for us all because cobalt blue is one of those magical colours that goes with all skin types and hair colours meaning you can be on trend without feeling out of your comfort zone.Whether your going head to toe matchy matchy or sticking to bright accessories this trend is easy to wear whatever the occasion. 

1. HB 134 £75

2. Gabor 84.169 £75

3. Pedro Miralles 4302 £85

4. Converse 542518 £44.95

5. HB 233 £110

6. Pedro Miralles 6406 £95

7. Riva Snapper £79.95

True blues add a breezy feel to outfits use cobalt blues as a statement colour and highlight it with a matching bag or piece of jewellery; use a brighter powdery blue to tie together floaty materials with lighter shades and mix tones of blue for easy summer glamour. 

(Image sourced from http://www.swide.com/style-fashion/mens-trends/trend-review-menswear-spring-summer-2014-milan-london-paris-photo-gallery/2013/07/02)

Cobalt blue is as popular on the men's catwalk as it is on the women's which is no surprise really as mentioned before it is such a wearable colour. 

1. Merrell Barefoot Walker £80

2. Steptronic Daimler £95

3. Josef Seibel Gatteo 06 £75

Blue is definitely a very workable colour for men of any age and any fashion caliber in smart or casual styles. Looks simply divine with white or beige trousers and goes nicely with jeans for a very "put together" look (even if its not!). 

More about the colour Blue

Blue is a cool, calming colour associated with serenity, holidays, water and bathrooms (when it comes to painting!). Blue can also create feelings of sadness and aloofness but is seen by some as a strong colour, possibly due to its natural link with the male population. 

Blue evokes importance and confidence without seeming too harsh or forthright - one of the reasons why police uniforms are blue and blue suits are known to be worn by the 'power players' of the world. 

What does blue mean to you?

The Colour Palette for Spring Summer 2014 - Men

Now lets not forget those fashion conscious men out there or the women they rely on to keep them on trend and stock their wardrobes!

Here is how the men can rock this seasons top colours:

"Light and airy Placid Blue is a perfect background color for spring, offering another alternative to the classic neutrals. Pair it with Comfrey, a more masculine take on the softer Hemlock green from the women's palette, to create a fresh, seasonally inspired look. For a modernized vintage feel, pair Purple Haze, a deeper, stronger version of Violet Tulip, with Paloma, a confident and adaptable grey.

Sand, a warm, agreeable neutral, can be coupled with more daring colors in the palette – making them less intimidating. Both Paloma and Sand are perfect complements to fiery Cayenne red, and help to harness the powerful energy that intense Freesia yellow brings to the spectrum. Accessories, including shoes, in bold colors, like Cayenne, Freesia and Celosia Orange, are becoming more popular for men this season, adding a touch of gusto to neutral formal attire.

As the temperatures rise, we are also seeing a lot of vibrant patterning that combines bold and tropical colors in many sectors of menswear. Create a magnetic look by mixing Magenta Purple, a more robust version of Radiant Orchid, with the higher voltage colors in the palette, like Celosia Orange and Dazzling Blue. (www.pantone.co.uk)"

The pastel colours in this seasons mix are perfect for men or women of all ages to feel comfortable in the colours they are buying and wearing. The placid blue, paloma and sand act as the perfect base colour to your spring/summer wardrobe, mix them with the more vibrant hues to make the colours pop or stick with classic jeans, whites and creams for laid back tonal ensembles.

What you can expect from Hoads this season;

- Suedes play a key part in this seasons collections adding a laid back feel while white soles keep the styles lightweight and modern;

- Blues, tans and greys add a summery feel to classic styled shoes with the option of contrasting laces to inject fun and colour into the look;

- Deck shoes and slip on moccasins in lighter shades are comfortable yet smart.

Whether you decide to be a fashion follower or stick to what you know we hope to meet all your footwear needs.

The Colour Palette for Spring Summer 2014 - Women

Once again we take a look at the colour reports from Pantone to see which colours are big this season and where we can reuse items in our wardrobes to nail the trends. 

(Image sourced from here)

We think the colours for this Spring Summer are great, there are almost two categories; the pastel tones which freshen up outfits and look perfect with whites and the bold bright colours which inject a fun and flirty feel. Some of these colours we have seen before, the dazzling blue for example is close the the cobalt blue that was so popular last year, lets hope you hung on to those pieces! The Paloma and Sand are fantastic base colours that'll easily see you through to next season and are versatile enough to fit into your current wardrobe. 

Here' what Pantone say about this seasons colour palette: 

"Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations." 

Three very adaptable pastels sit on one end of the palette, and, because we are so accustomed to seeing them as nature's background, they can be creatively combined with any other color in the spectrum. Placid Blue, like a picture-perfect, tranquil and reassuring sky, induces a sense of peaceful calmness, while Violet Tulip, a romantic, vintage purple, evokes wistful nostalgia. Similar to the verdant shade of springtime foliage, Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a decorative touch that's very different from the greens of recent seasons. Pair any of these versatile pastels with a bolder hue for an au courant look.

Sand, a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach and the carefree days of summer. Try pairing Sand with Hemlock for perfect, natural balance. Paloma serves as a quintessential neutral, interesting enough to be worn alone or combined with any color for sophisticated poise.

Cayenne, a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals, and heightens the excitement when mixed with Freesia, a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season. A tropical, floral-inspired shade, Freesia's warmth and energy help set the stage for Celosia Orange, an optimistic, spontaneous hue. Pair Celosia Orange with Violet Tulip for a captivating vision, much like the setting summer sun.

The palette is brought full circle with Radiant Orchid, a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip, and Dazzling Blue,a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid Blue. Surprisingly, these strong, vibrant colors also pair well across the palette: They are perfect companions to pastels, and add confidence and vivacity when mixed with other bold colors.(www.pantone.co.uk)"

What you can expect from Hoads this season to ensure you are perfectly on trend even if just with your footwear as after-all; the shoes really do make the outfit!

• Tonal colouring on multiple strapped sandals and wedges alike;

• Pastels shades for canvas days out and that extra bit of sparkle detail for a more dressy occasion;

• Bright, vibrant hues that evoke a feeling of warm summer holidays and lazy BBQ evenings;

• The classic driving moccasins and loafers with a modern twist of bright colours, tassels and pattern details. 

Whatever your looking for this spring summer, look for it at Hoads.