Pantone’s Color of the Year: Snorkel Blue
Above, Left:LK Bennett ‘Detroit’ Dress, Right: Stella McCartney ‘Ridley Stretch’ Dress
Every year as they have since 2000, Pantone selects their color of the year and for 2016, they have chosen Snorkel Blue! A gorgeous bright shade of blue that Kate, Carole and Pippa can’t get enough of.
This shade is so easy to incorporate into any closet, be it as a pop of color or the star of the show. Look no further than Pippa who just recently attended Boodles Boxing Ball in the most gorgeous shade of Snorkel Blue. Look into incorporating this shade into your closet with these suggestions below!
Clutches
This Diane von Furstenberg fold-over pouch is the perfect size to carry as a clutch without sacrificing space for your necessities! And how adorable is that pop of gingham?
If DvF is not exactly your budget, check out this option from Nordstrom Rack (currently 50% off!)
I love the idea of colorful clutches to help incorporate trends without the full commitment that larger pieces would require.
Shoes
Colorful shoes are probably the easiest way to pull off a surprise pop-of-color in an otherwise neutral or monochrome outfit. Snorkel blue would look great against navy, black, white, and even pastel yellows and pinks.
These pointy toe sling-backs are a steal for under $15:
For a fancier occasion, go bold with these heels, Gianvito Rossi on the left and Steve Madden on the right:
Can’t you just imagine how fabulous those Steve Madden pumps would look peeking out from underneath a flowy floor length black dress? And those sling-backs are the perfect mix of chic and casual! Hello Fridays at the office! Kate approves:
Wardrobe
Hobbs, a label that Kate has favored plenty of times in the recent past, has a gorgeous sleeved version (above left) very similar to the LK Bennett ‘Detroit’ dress featured at the beginning of this post. The Hobbs leans more into the cobalt/electric blue shade, but is still a show stopper and could easily already be hanging in Kate’s closet.
Above and center, Nordstrom Rack has such a cute version of this dress on sale for only $50 right now. Don’t those pockets give you Madderson flashbacks?
Lastly, Nasty Gal has this adorable body-con dress on sale for $40 with the same sleeve design that is very popular right now. That price just can’t be beat!
I love how the ruffles in the above dress (left) help to accentuate and slim the waist. And how about those petal sleeves on the above (center) dress? That v-neck is so flattering. Lastly, this maxi (right) is a perfect comfy option for formal attire. Just picturing it with a sparkly belt and drop earrings is enough to add it to the cart, let alone the fact that it’s under $75.
So, here we are! Are you still gushing over Pippa’s gown as much as I am? Was there anything you liked? As for me, that DvF clutch is going on my Holiday Wishlist (I’m having some serious heart-eye emoji love going on for that bag!).
Cheers!
About the Author:
My name is Amanda and I’ve been a long-time fan of Kate’s fashion since she started dating William. My grandmother and I bond over our mutual admiration for the Duchess and Queen Letitizia. I am from Spain, but currently living in Los Angeles pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.
Thanks, Amanda! Love this color and Kate wears it so well. Those Steve Madden pumps are just gorgeous and I love the maxi! I’m not loving Pippa’s dress as much. The high/low, the cut out, the ruching, the halter, and the large sparkle appliqué were just too much going on for me. The color is gorgeous on her, though.
Robin
Hi Robin!
Totally agree, Kate does wear it so well. It really makes her dark hair pop. No wonder the Middleton fam. love the shade. I definitely see what you mean about Pippa’s dress and it’s certainly not for everyone. I imagine that Pippa was super confident with her body after completing that 50 mile swim-run race. I wouldn’t mind showing some skin after accomplishing that!
Thank you for your comment Robin!
-Amanda
So fun! Love the bright blue!
Hi Molly! Agreed, I always feel that Kate looks her best in blue! Love when she wears it.
-Amanda
Amanda, blue is my favorite color and this shade is amazing. I love it. And I like the black PATENT pumps and sandals with the dresses. This is the combination I’d love to see on Kate. And surprise, surprise, but I agree with Robin on Pippa’s gown; too busy (and not necessary given the fantastic color).
Hey there!
I love when Kate mixes black with blue. The wedding Kate and William attended before announcing their Engagement comes to mind. I totally see what you guys mean about Pippa’s dress, but I still love it either way! I bet she she loved not having to hold up her dress to climb stairs or dance!
Thanks for the comment!
-Amanda
Hi Amanda,
It’s true, the snorkel blue is really popular!
Thanks for featuring our GCGme dress
You can have a look for a lot more dresses in this color here: http://www.gcgme.com/maxi-dresses/blue.html?color=41
Wishes,
Jess
GCGme.com
Hi Jess!
Of course, it’s such a great color. Plus I love the construction through the shoulders and waist! It looks comfortable and stylish. What more could a girl ask for?
-Amanda
Oh, how fun is this?!?!?! Great contribution Amanda and I love the pictures you used and the selections we can all shop from. Well done. And thanks, Jane, for creating this platform! Now that you’re extra busy I think it’s wise to allow other contributions. This will allow the momentum to keep going without you having to be a slave to content production, great idea.
Pippa’s dress is a TOTAL WHOA for me, in mostly a good way. I’ve not seen it before, the color is dare I say it even better on her than Kate. She could lose the rhinestones and I’d be slightly happier, but holy cow that is one showstopper of a dress.
Thank you Sarita! You’re so kind. I’m so looking forward to being a contributor. This will be so much fun! Happy you liked the suggestions, tried to find options for every budget!
-Amanda
Love the colors on Pippa’s gown, but the details and embelishments cheapen the look to me.
I see where people are coming from on the bling aspect of Pippa dress. I WILL say, though, that this was a Jenny Packham dress, and you know how she loves embellishments. Kate has worn a few JPs with crystal detail and it is something of a Jenny Packham trademark. For some reason, that made it ok for me, but…as I say, in general, I would tend to agree i don’t love the bling. Here, I was fine with it. Just my 2cents.
I LOVED this post, Amanda! Thank you so much for joining Kate’s Clothes as a fashion contributor. 
Jane, I’m right there with you. Pippa is always willing to push fashion boundaries and go for something bold. I thought the neckline and cut-outs were flattering, appropriate, and the woman just completed a 50 miles swim-run marathon – I wouldn’t be covering up either! I think it works so well for Boodles, but I wouldn’t love it as a red-carpet premiere gown, for example.
Thank you so much Jane for inviting me on! This is going to be so much fun, so looking forward to it!
I love it when the Duchess wears this color! I think it would also work well on the Countess of Wessex.
I found another dress similar to Kate’s LK Bennett Detroit dress. It’s from Dorothy Perkins.
http://m.us.dorothyperkins.com/h5/product?productId=19820391#