Dazzling Blue

Dazzling Blue

It’s official, Pantone’s newly announced 2014 Color of the Year is one that you already know and love — DAZZLING BLUE!(Pause for anticlimactically apathetic reaction…)Perhaps instead of “love” I should have said “unenthusiastically recognize and generally overlook” since the color, as noted by Pantone themselves, is (literally) the exact shade of blue used by Facebook and the new Citibank bike rental program in New York City.So, basically, this dazzling blue is the hue that’s been strategically designed by brilliant corporate marketing minds at Facebook and Citi to elicit no more meaningful attention than a ceiling painted white or any other nondescript, innocuous background color.  Though pleasant, its purpose as a neutral, corporate backdrop is to elicit no real emotional response, much less a dazzling one. This is not to say that Pantone based its selection of the color entirely on either Facebook or Citibikes.  The hue and related variations were certainly seen cascading down Fall 2013 runways.  And, don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike the color.  I’m simply baffled by its characterization as a dazzling shade of blue in this context.(And yet, I so enjoy saying the word dazzling.  Dazzling.)Are you aware and generally pleased that your ceiling is painted white?  Yes.  Do you really care and/or plan on having your white ceiling inspire your wardrobe choices?  Not really.  In my opinion, the same goes for the color of Facebook and Citibank rent-a-bikes.  They’re great, but not exactly my sartorial muses.  So, maybe the announcement of this particular shade of blue for 2014 doesn’t exactly leave me dazzled.  Nevertheless, I can definitively say that I’m a big fan in general of the blue domination of Fall 2013 color trends.  The runways of Valentino, Carven, Missoni, Prada and more showcased a wide range of gorgeous shades of blue (including the cobalt hue pictured in the floral top today) and this is a trend I can wholeheartedly say is dazzling.P.S.  I successfully used the word dazzling ten times.  Tomorrow, my goal is eleven.  Shirt: River Island via Asos | Skirt: Talbots (old but similar here and here) | Shoes: Zara | Necklace: C. Wonder (similar here) | Sunglasses: Prada | Polish: Essie (Fishnet Stockings) Check out this great piece from Refinery29 yesterday about “Dressing for Success.” The author gives fabulous, foolproof office style tips including the “key pieces every [working] woman should have in her closet” and “the best ensemble for an interview.”  Happy first day of New York Fashion Week!  Let the insanity begin! Check out even more from The Classy Cubicle on… BLOGLOVIN  +  INSTAGRAM   +  FACEBOOK TWITTER   +  PINTEREST