Because it’s inclusive. It works for everyone. It’s as universal and versatile as a pair of blue denim jeans, themselves being a classic.

Blue is generally considered a cool colour, and although similar to navy in depth, Classic Blue is a slightly warmer shade of blue than navy. It means it works for people with cool colouring as well as for people with warmer colouring. It means that Classic Blue looks great with a wide range of colours.

Pantone’s choice of Classic Blue as colour of the year in 2020 is based, as always, on lots of observation and consultation worldwide to decide on a colour to represent what Pantone perceives to be the current zeitgeist. Pantone says this about Classic Blue:

“Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.“

Well it is true that the world is changing, but then when is it not? Having said that, Classic Blue does provide an excellent foundation upon which to base things, just as blue denim does. 

As well as the monochromatic ‘double denim’ look, Classic Blue looks great with an impressive span of its complementary colour, orange; from bright zests to rusty browns. Ruby reds, maroons and fuchsias simply sing with Classic Blue. Its cool, watery analogous colours look fabulous with Classic Blue of course, but then so do spring greens, limes and yellows as we creep across the other side of the colour wheel.

As an almost neutral (as per navy) Classic Blue coordinates easily with other neutrals such as white, cream, grey, black and various shades of brown, as mentioned above. Classic Blue has enough warmth to contrast nicely with silver and enough strength to offset gold and bronze.

And did you know that blue is identified as more people’s favourite colour than any other? You’re bound to see lots of deep blues in 2020, but let’s hope we don’t see a plethora of blue couches again as we did in the nineties!

Below I’ve provided a snapshot of harmonious Classic Blue colour schemes. They’re very saturated. You may wish to lighten or soften the intensity of these shades as you co-ordinate. And remember, for best effect, not to combine colours in equal proportions. Otherwise, just play around with this blue like you would with a pair of your favourite old jeans and you’ll find that just about anything goes with Classic Blue.