3 min read“It’s not turquoise. It’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean.” I find that it’s impossible to talk about spring’s biggest color trend without invoking the iconic monologue from The Devil Wears Prada in which Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of Runway magazine (played by Meryl Streep), explains to her fashion-challenged assistant Andy Sachs (played by our April cover star Anne Hathaway) that the color represents millions of dollars and countless jobs in the fashion industry.
The 2002 Oscar de la Renta collection full of cerulean gowns that Miranda Priestly mentions didn’t actually exist, but this season, designers did lean into the color—and ironically just in time for the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in May. The electric shade of blue took the runway by storm in the spring/summer 2026 collections. Tory Burch and Ashlyn showed cerulean coats, tops, and pants, while Herbert Levine presented a cerulean mule and Loewe’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez gave us a cerulean update on the Amazona bag.
Whether your style is more classic and you live in a button-down and ballet flats, or it’s more sporty and you gravitate towards a sophisticated parka jacket and sneakers, you’ll be able to find updated versions of all your favorite closet staples in the punchy shade. Cerulean works equally well in an accent piece or a head-to-toe look, and it plays nicely with all of the spring trends this season.
Below, I outline the five key categories to shop now.
Pop-of-Color Shoes
Sketchers sneakers; Loewe pumps
Dress up a low-rise pencil skirt (which is currently trending!) with a blue pump to give your work look new flair, or pair your favorite jeans and a tee with blue sneakers for a day of walking around the city. I’m also a big fan of updating my go-to ballet flats in new colors—I already know the shape works with the silhouettes in my closet, but the blue version feels fresh.
Tony Bianco
Hallie Lapis Nubuck
Adidas
Gazelle Indoor Shoes
Alex Mill
Prince Street Ballet Flat
Updated Closet Staples
Comme Si shirt; Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, sweater and pants.
If you know a piece works for you in black or white, why not pick up another version in the color of the season? Right now, some of my favorite classic pieces—Polo Ralph Lauren’s linen shirt, J.Crew’s classic crewneck, Kule’s modern t-shirt—come in cerulean as well as more basic shades. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a pair of balloon pants (the shape of the moment) with a simple white tee, pumps, and a cropped transitional jacket for a new look this spring.
J.Crew
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
Polo Ralph Lauren
Oversize Fit Linen Shirt
Polo Ralph Lauren
Tie-Front Wrap Pant
New Bag Investments
Celine bag; Dries Van Noten bag, Guest in Residence sweater, Pierre Mantoux tights; Dior bag
Bags are the easiest way to update your look without changing too much in your wardrobe. Whether you’re looking for a new everyday bag—this season, that’s the new Loewe Amazona refresh—or you want a new bag for vacation, a cerulean bag will help get rid of your winter blues and take you into spring with joy. And if you’re like me and already manifesting summer, try a raffia bag with a pair of silk pants, a crewneck sweater, and ballet flats for a brunch look so comfortable, it feels like pajamas.
Loewe
Amazona 180 Mini Leather Top-Handle Bag
Celine
Micro Crystal Pouch
ALC
Simone Raffia Mini Bag
Zimmermann Fringed Leather Crossbody Bag
Fresh Commuter Favorites
Tory Burch coat; Arnette sunglasses, Courrèges jacket
It’s the time of the year when we’re rotating out our puffer coats and pulling out our favorite transitional jackets. Parkas are the coolest commuter jackets—not only were they trending for spring, but they’re functional for whatever this unpredictable weather throws at us, and they look chic thrown over a tailored look to balance the structure of your office attire. Sunglasses are another spring essential, and Ray-Ban’s classic Wayfarer style comes in a new blue that can add dimension to any minimal look.
Soia & Kyo
Nalani Boxy Coat
Veronica Beard
Laurent Wool-Blend Coat
Tory Burch Tech Canvas Hooded Jacket
Ray-Ban
RB2140 Original Wayfarer Change
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Modernized Jewelry & Watches
Vacheron Constantin watch; Donna Karan New York shirt, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Swarovski bracelets, Sauer bracelet
Update your wrist stack with these punchy blue bracelets or go minimal with a classic watch style that has extra pizzazz. For vacation, a paracord or beaded bracelet is the perfect way to accessorize a knitted dress and sandals for lunch by the beach. For a day at the office, add some sophistication to otherwise muted tailored separates with a blue watch, or lean all the way in and pair it with a monochromatic sweater and trouser for a head-to-toe cerulean ensemble.
Dorsey James Bezel Bleu Paracord Anklet
Swarovski Millenia Bracelet
David Yurman
Spiritual Beaded Bracelet
This article appears in the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
Photography: Sergiy Barchuk; Fashion Editor: Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen; Model: Alexandria Sumpter; Hair and Makeup: Mariya Piltyeva; Manicurist: Yuko Wada; Set Design: Caz Slattery.