Define a New You with Classic Blue

Your guide to making a statement or going more low key with Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year.

The inspiration for the experts at Pantone Color Institute as they decided on the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year was that time in the evening when the sun dips below the horizon and the sky darkens to a deep blue before black. For a year that begins a new decade, it seemed right that Classic Blue, a color that resembles dusk and brings a sense of peace and tranquility, be the foundation for a new beginning. 

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman says. 

The Pantone Color Institute is the business unit within Pantone that forecasts worldwide color trends and advises companies about colors for products and brand identity. Its experts have chosen the Pantone Color of the Year, an influence in fashion, interior design and industrial design, for over 20 years using color influences found in the entertainment industry, art collections, travel destinations as well as through new technologies, materials and textures. 

Classic Blue is described as “easily relatable” and thought to inspire feelings of comfort, calm, confidence and connection. The Pantone Color Institute’s description explains that it “highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

It’s easy to integrate Classic Blue into your everyday life, whether you want to wear it or accent your home with it. Here are some ideas. 

In Your Home

This deep blue hue fits perfectly within a coastal theme – both in indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s a beautiful color for an accent wall in any room of the home. Also, adding details like throw pillows or a large rug against white or cream couches would make a statement in gathering spaces such as a living room or outdoor kitchen area. If you want to go big and are willing to take on a home project, consider painting your kitchen cabinets this pretty neutral shade. 

In Your Wardrobe

Since Classic Blue is a neutral, it’s a simple color to wear. Make it the focus of your outfit by opting for a dark blue dress or smart suit or accessorize with bold bag or pretty pumps. However you choose to wear it, the Pantone Color of the Year is the perfect color for any occasion.

“Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation,” Eiseman says. “A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”