If you were chronically online from 2011 to 2014, you definitely remember cobalt blue. Or maybe you knew it as International Klein Blue—named after Yves Klein, the French artist who made the ultra-saturated hue his signature in the ’60s. But for me (and for a lot of us fashion people), that color will forever be linked to one specific moment: Phoebe Philo’s iconic cobalt Celine dress from 2016. You know the one I’m referring to. Clean lines, a sharp silhouette, and that exact shade of electric blue that seemed to glow even through your laptop screen. Tumblr also ate it up in 2016. It was everywhere. Like most cool trends, though, it disappeared from our collective consciousness—until now, that is.
Well, I just got back from Copenhagen Fashion Week, and let me tell you—this hue is back. Cobalt blue felt fresh, punchy, and almost futuristic. I spotted it on everyone from Danish street style stars wearing the cobalt blue color trend with oversize leather totes and pleated pants, to office skirts and track jackets on the runway.
It’s not just clothes, either. Bags, shoes, nails, and eye shadow are getting the blue treatment. The vibe is less “Tumblr-era minimalism” and more “bold, confident main character energy.” The kind of color that makes you feel like you know exactly what you’re doing, even if you’re just wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
It’s clear cobalt is having a resurgence—and this time, it feels sharper, more intentional. There’s a confidence to the way it’s being styled now, whether it’s head-to-toe or just a pop against neutrals. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about impact. Scroll on to see how the color is showing up everywhere again, and then shop the best cobalt-blue pieces to wear it your own way.
On the Runway
On the Street
Shop the Trend
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