Colour of the Season Winter: Marine Royal Blue
The cool shade of wonder, full of energy and possibility.
Introduction
There’s something about a clear winter sky. That pure, almost electric blue stretching out endlessly above you. It’s a colour burned into my memory growing up in Texas, where the winters might have been cold (zero degrees), but the sky always seemed bright and full of possibility. Growing up on a farm gives you that perspective.
That same brilliant blue the colour of clarity and cool air on your face is having a moment right now. It’s appearing on the Spring/Summer 2026 catwalks, adding energy to collections from designers who understand the power of bold, saturated colour.
For those with a Winter Colour Type, this vivid blue isn’t just on trend, it’s timeless. It belongs in your wardrobe, your fabric stash, and your palette because it mirrors the qualities you wear best: cool and confident.
In this article I will cover:
- Why Marine Royal Blue for Winter
- What makes Marine Royal Blue special
- 3 Occasions to sew Marine Royal Blue into your Capsule Wardrobe
- 4 Patterns to sew in Marine Royal Blue
- FAQs about sewing with Marine Royal Blue
-
What to do if you’re not sure Marine Royal Blue suits you
1. Paul Stuart 2. Hermès ss2025 3. Vivienne Westwood ss2026
Why Marine Royal Blue for Winter?
This particular shade of blue, what I call Marine Royal (#1c4386)* is a true Winter blue. It’s bold without being brash, cool without feeling cold. Do you know what I mean? It strikes that balance of vibrancy and clarity that Winter Colour Types wear so well.
What sets it apart is the depth.
It’s not a sky blue or a navy; it’s somewhere in between, saturated enough to hold its own against black, yet light enough to lift a neutral out of its beigeness.
Marine Royal Blue pairs effortlessly with the typical Winter neutrals including pure white, crisp grey, jet black and creates a high-contrast look that feels polished and intentional. It’s a colour that holds attention without shouting for it.
Ok so enough of the descriptions...
If you’re someone who thrives in cool tones, this is a colour that does the heavy lifting for you. It makes your whites look brighter, your greys more sophisticated, and your blacks deeper.
Designers are embracing this kind of saturated, digital-age blue because it speaks to the kind of optimism we all need right now.
NB you may call it Royal Blue, but I have close to 40x11 colours to reference, so I have my own names for them, but I have tried not to go too crazy with them.
What makes Marine Royal Blue so special?
Like Maple Russet, Marine Royal Blue possesses a unique combination of competence and warmth making it an ideal charisma colour when you want to project both qualities at once.
It’s strong and clear, yet approachable, helping you strike the right balance in moments that call for both competence and connection. If you’re curious about how colour can enhance your charisma, you can read more about it here.
1. Pinterest 2. Ralph Lauren 3. Gucci
3 Occasions to sew Marine Royal Blue into your capsule wardrobe
Marine Royal Blue is a colour for a Winter Colour Type. In other words, it suits someone with a cool undertone, medium to high-chroma, facial contrast and depth. It holds its richness across many fabric types, but to make the most of it, balance texture, drape, and shine.
To demonstrate I have chosen three purposes you could make a mini capsule wardrobe for Summer.
The Purpose includes:
- Casual Work
- Casual Weekend
- Casual Evening
For each purpose I have chosen fabrics that work together for that purpose
and season. I have added a fabric checklist for Winter in the download as well so you can compare seasons. If you can overlap your seasons simply by layering you can make your wardrobe go even further.
Summer
Casual Work
☐ Cotton Poplin (shirts)
☐ Lightweight Cotton Twill or Chino Cotton or Cotton Blend (pants or shorts)
☐ Silk Blend (ties, scarves, pocket squares)
☐ Lightweight Wool Blend (suit jacket)
Casual Weekend
☐ Cotton Jersey Knit (t-shirts)
☐ French Terry or Loopback Fleece
(sweats, track pants)
☐ Linen Cotton Blend (shirts, shorts, robes)
☐ Lightweight Denim (jackets, over shirts)
☐ Cotton Poplin (shirts and robes)
Casual Evening
☐ Silk Satin or Silk Blend (shirt, accessories)
☐ Linen Cotton Blend (collared shirt, pants)
☐ Cotton Poplin (collared shirt)
☐ Lightweight Wool Blend (jacket, pants)
☐ Suede or Faux Suede (shoes, belts, jacket)
Image source: 1-3 Pinterest. NB Image 1. I don't feel this colour suits him because he hasn't the facial chroma and contrast to pull it off. Instead it makes him look washed out.
4 Sewing patterns to make in Marine Royal Blue
1. Camp Collar Shirt
The clean lines and relaxed structure of the Camp Collar Shirt make it an ideal match for Marine Royal Blue. The bold blue adds impact without overpowering the simplicity of the design.
Click image to go to sewing patterns
2. Box Sleeve Robe
Marine Royal brings a refined, confident edge to the soft drape of the Box Sleeve Robe. It’s a great choice for loungewear that feels relaxed yet intentional. This is the colour I used in the sewing tutorial that comes with this sewing pattern.
Click image to go to sewing patterns
3. Lounge Jacket
The relaxed shape of the Lounge Jacket pairs beautifully with Marine Royal’s depth and clarity. A nice blend of confidence and approachability. I have designed a Ginger Jar using this blue which makes a lovely lining. You can purchase it in satin or silk satin from Spoonflower ID: 19913167 and have it delivered to your door.
Click image to go to sewing patterns
4. Necktie
Whether it is a Traditional Necktie, Kipper or Narrow, when it has a hint of Marine Royal Blue or goes all out in the colour it offers a timeless and modern accessory. It adds a confident pop of colour to any formal or professional outfit.
Click image to go to sewing patterns
The name "Kipper" is believed to be a pun on the founders name, Michael Fish - designed in the late 1960s.
Can I sew all four patterns in this colour, or is that too much?
You absolutely can, and it’s a clever approach if you’re building a cohesive wardrobe. The key is to vary the fabrics and finishes. Hence, I have provided a checklist above for you. Together, they’ll give you a coordinated yet interesting set of pieces that can mix easily with the rest of your wardrobe.
Download the PDF for an extra checklist for Winter and colour combinations.
FAQs About Sewing with Colour
1. How do I know if Marine Royal is the right blue for me?
If you’re a Winter Colour Type, Marine Royal Blue is likely to suit you beautifully thanks to its cool saturated tone. If you’re not sure of your Colour Type, The Fabric Formula can help you figure it out.
2. Can I use this colour for both casual and formal garments?
Absolutely. The example on this page show you this is possible. This Blue is versatile. It looks sharp in tailored garments like jackets and ties, but it also works effortlessly in more relaxed pieces like shirts and robes.
3. How do I build a colour palette around Marine Royal Blue?
Using Colour Schemes is a great place to start. Before you begin, grab a colour wheel. I always keep one on my desk (which is also my sewing room) as a quick reference. Marine Royal Blue works beautifully within classic schemes like complementary, analogous, or triadic. If you’re new to these concepts, I’ve written a helpful article explaining the most useful colour terms for sewing. It’s a great starting point for understanding how to make your colours work together.
4. How do I stop blue dye from transferring onto other clothes?
Pre-washing your fabric with a colour-catcher sheet helps remove excess dye. You can buy them at your local supermarket.
5. How do I use this colour in a capsule wardrobe?
When planning a capsule wardrobe I like to use the 5 Colour Method. This gives me enough variety in my colours without compromising on cohesion so mix and match remains simple. Once I have the five colours, I then use the 60-30-10 (5/5) Rule to get dressed each day.
5 Colour Method
- Bold
- Complimentary (or analogous)
- Neutral
- Dark
- Light
You can apply the Marine Royal Blue to either the Bold or the Complimentary colour to give you versatility but also interest. This is if your Colour Type is Winter. If you are another Colour Type then you will need to find a close alternative, but the 5 colour rule still applies.
Not Sure If Marine Royal Blue Suits You?
That’s where The Fabric Formula comes in.
It’s an interactive guide designed to help you find your Colour Type and match current trend colours (like Maple Russet) to the version that suits you best. Whether you’re sewing for yourself or someone else, this tool removes the guesswork. I am so excited to make this available to you. It is a game changer. Feel competent with colour.
Because when colour and confidence align, sewing becomes even more satisfying.
Discover Your Colour Type with The Fabric Formula
