iStyle: Ocean colour scene

As the mercury rises, dip your fashion toes into the cooling blues and greens of the sea, says Emma Akbareian

At the slightest hint of the sun we Brits can think of nowhere better to be than beside the seaside. Fittingly, the key colours this summer are a blend of ocean-inspired blues and greens.

Whether it’s the glistening Mediterranean or the murky north Atlantic, this trend is about taking inspiration from the beautiful, briny deep with shades ranging from sea foam to sapphire via azure.

For spring/summer Diane Von Furstenberg used a mix of textures as well as shades with sequins and scaly embellishment (think urban sea urchin) while Michael Kors went for a more literal take on the trend, photo-realistic prints mimicing a sun-dappled expanse of sea.

On the high street, Whistles’ pre-fall collection recreates the look of a stormy sea with a swirled marble pattern in jade green and navy blue.

Mixing or matching block blues is the easiest way to wear this look, but for those who shy away from these vibrant shades, accessories such as Nine West’s striped wedges or Proenza Schouler’s dégradé leather clutch are good compromises.

It’s not just wardrobes getting an aquatic overhaul, your makeup bag can follow suit too. Orly’s nail lacquer, aptly named Mermaid’s Tale, is a heady mix of green and blue glitter best applied over a light green shade for a sparkly aquatic effect.

Blue eye shadow is a beauty concept many are understandably wary of – the make-up of choice for pre-teen discos or of Dame Barbara Cartland.

However, it can be worn with modern finesse when smudgily applied or blended with chalky black eyeliner.

Complementary shades have seaside roots too – with sand, coral and lobster working well – the latter rather fittingly for those who’ve had a bit too much sun at the shore.