Beat the January Blues: How to Style Blue Clothes

Could fabulous fashion be the key to fighting your seasonal sorrows? When you look amazing, you feel amazing too. 

In this blog, we unpack the psychology of blue clothing, the colour combinations that make your 2024 outfits pop and the beautiful pieces that will help you bring calmness and serenity to your wardrobe at this time of year. 

From navy knitwear to brilliant blue blazers, and marvellous midnight blue skirts and shoes, you're sure to take January by stylish storm.

 We all know colours can impact how we feel thanks to their associations - red for passion, yellow for energy and positivity. But what about blue? Despite the term“January blues”, this colour has lots of benefits when it comes to colour psychology.

Thanks to blue being so present in nature, in the sky and the sea, we tend to associate it with calm and tranquillity. This makes blue wonderful to wear on stressful days. Perhaps blue loungewear could be a go-to for a tranquil day of yoga? 

According to VeryWell Mind, blue also has strong associations with stability and reliability as well as aiding productivity and creativity - so a blue blazer at work could be a perfect statement! Pair with sleek blue suit trousers for a stand-out look, or match with jeans for a more smart-casual workplace.

Make a statement with an all-blue look this January. A monochromatic look can be incredibly eye-catching, plus it’s an easy way to look effortlessly co-ordinated.

An all-blue look presents an array of gorgeous options. You can stand out from the crowd with an electric blue outfit or feel fabulous and chic when decked out in navy. Avoid looking too one-dimensional by layering different shades of blue. A deep navy jacket tones down a bright blue dress for an effortlessly balanced look.

Another way to prevent your look from appearing too uniform is to mix textures. Combine blue denim with a soft blue knit or a navy midi skirt with a stylish leather jacket. 

These two vibrant colours pair perfectly with blue clothes, being opposite to blue on the colour wheel. They provide the perfect contrast to strike a balance in your seasonal outfits. 

As colours that are often associated with happiness and positivity, orange and yellow perfectly counteract the iciness of wintry blue tones. A simple pop of yellow or orange with a blue outfit reminds us of the sun against a blue summer sky. 

Try adding orange accessories with stylish denim or pair a blue skirt with a mustard boho blouse to brighten a grey January day.

Blue blends beautifully with neutral hues. Rich, earthy tones such as browns and beiges can make blue clothes gorgeously grounded. 

Try a brown coat with a blue jumper for a calm and serene ensemble or pair a turquoise blue blouse with beige trousers to reflect a sunny day at the beach, summoning summery thoughts to beat the January blues.

A vibrant blue coat pops perfectly against a boho dress, or for an air of elegance, team black with navy. A blue waistcoat looks suave as can be against a black shirt.

White is also a fabulous combination with blue, bringing a preppy nautical flair. A blue skirt and white shirt is a combination that never fails.

Blue and red are a magnificent contrast, creating a stunningly striking outfit. Red shoes shine when paired with a gorgeous blue dress. Or combine a red jacket, white shirt and blue pants for a subtly Union Jack-inspired look that even Geri Halliwell would envy.

One of the things we miss most in January is the pretty petals of summer and spring. So, why not bring flowers into January through your clothes? The gorgeous floral patterns of our Le Cafe D'Or collection provide the botanical blue beauty just in time for January. Plus we have plenty of floral pieces with a burst of colour, perfect to get us looking forward to the bluebells and forget-me-nots of Spring.

Vibrant, loud patterns are another way to boost our mood, as we associate bright colours with positive emotions. Plus, funky patterns help us to stand out from the crowd, giving us confidence - the ultimate blues-banisher. Wearing mood-boosting, also known as dopamine dressing is a surefire way to lift our spirits post-festive season. Try our Funky Knit collection to discover the perfect positivity patterns.

Another way to boost positivity in your clothing is to choose a silhouette that makes you feel remarkable. That might be a slinky, figure-hugging piece to make you feel sleek and glamorous or it could be a breezy boho silhouette that lets you feel free-spirited and joyful. It could even be loose and comfy clothes like our Sloe Joes loungewear, which brings a chilled, laid-back and snug vibe to your January.

The number one way of injecting blue into an outfit is, of course, with classic blue jeans. This wonderful wardrobe staple is the king of cool and casual dressing. But how to style blue jeans?

At Joe Browns, we salute and celebrate a bold double-denim look. Break fashion rules by partnering your jeans with a denim jacket or shirt. This creates an instantly eye-catching look that’s classic yet casual.

Stay snug this January with our range of brilliant knitwear. A light blue jumper is an ideal way to combine winter warmth with spring sky colours. Or try a blue cardigan - ideal to throw over your favourite blouse when you want to look and feel your best.

While we love blue clothes, accessories are another chic way to bring blue into your aesthetic. Try a bold blue handbag to pop against a black coat or wrap up warm with a blue scarf or gloves. 

Blue jewellery is another favourite of ours, reminding us of the shimmering sea or sparkling ice. Draw the eye with a bright blue brooch or add elegance with a blue necklace.

Our dreamy dresses are a fabulous choice for styling away the blues on your January occasions. A pale blue boho dress perfectly harnesses the tranquil associations of blue, calling flowing water to mind. 

For a striking evening look, try navy. A remarkable navy blue dress will make you look as though you’re wrapped in the midnight sky itself. You’re sure to feel a million dollars in a dress from our charming Moroccan Azure collection. Who could possibly feel blue when dressed in these rich feel-good colours?

There’s nothing better to battle the January blues than fresh air, sunlight and gorgeous surroundings. Enjoy your seasonal strolls despite the cold with the wonderful warmth and pattern of our Ode to Kings Road collection. Alternatively, embrace the bold and the bright with the remarkable patterns of our Funky Knit collection.

A mood-boosting tip we’ve all heard before is to harness the positive power of exercise. Yoga is wonderful for relaxation and mindfulness, ideal for keeping the blues at bay. Stay cosy, while striking your best warrior pose, in Sloe Joe’s super soft and comfy loungewear.