Your Winter Wardrobe Needs This Spring Color, Per Sabrina Carpenter and Kate Middleton

Sabrina Carpenter and Kate Middleton may not have a whole lot in common, but they’re both embracing this year’s quiet contender for best trend of winter 2025.

We all know chocolate brown is that girl this fall-winter season, but what if I told you its best friend was light blue? Yes, the bedroom wall combination millennials desperately craved in the late ’90s is having a sartorial moment this winter, according to street style experts and celebs alike.

In fact, the most fashion-forward among us are adding the pastel shade typically reserved for spring into their winter wardrobes in a variety of color combinations and styles, from small pops of blue accessories to bold winter coats, transitioning the shade from an accent to the star of the show.

Of course, light blue’s sudden domination in winter collections and TikTok videos is not some random occurrence. The color had a major resurgence this past spring—the season pastels are typically at their peak—by starring in the wardrobes of celebs like Anne Hathaway and Hailey Bieber, as well as plenty of runway collections. It’s only natural that the pale blue shade continues to trickle into retail stores this fall and winter, as any Devil Wears Prada fan could easily predict.

However, based on new evidence presented by the likes of Carpenter, the literal Princess of Wales, and street style experts, this airy blue should be in your winter rotation. Light blues have never looked more luxe and expensive than in the form of soft cashmere knits or when paired with chocolate brown suede. Here are six ways to incorporate light blue into your winter wardrobe without looking like Elsa.

With a pale blue puffer coat, like Sabrina Carpenter

The future Alice in Wonderland star recently modeled the ideal après ski look in an icy blue jacket she paired with a black miniskirt, some sheer stockings, and cozy plaid scarf. Though I can’t place the exact jacket she wore in her late November Instagram dump, Aritzia offers a similar version with their Super Puff Shorty in the limited-edition shade Dew Blue (which is selling out swiftly).

Personally, I’ve had my eye on Vuori’s Alta Down Jacket in Crystal Blue anyway. As usual, my favorite activewear brand when it comes to style and function came through with a pretty blue puffer that feels more versatile without the sporty black hardware and satin sheen. Meanwhile, J.Crew also has a hoodless option that’s currently on sale!

With rich textures like Kate Middleton

This was not the first time Princess Catherine has worn this particular houndstooth dress by Emilia Wickstead, but it’s certainly the most luxurious way she’s ever styled it. Instead of adding black pumps and a blue bag as she did in December 2022, Middleton softened her color palette and played with textures by adding gray croc-embossed Hugo Boss pumps and a supple brown suede micro tote by It-bag brand DeMillier.

For this perfect office look, you don’t even need to source your own houndstooth or tweed dress! You can simply go for broke on texture by opting for a ribbed or cable-knit dress.

Mixing brown and blue

Like Kate Middleton, tons of street style experts are mixing light blue with the earthy browns that are trending this season, creating a rich combination without any harsh tones.

Mixing blue and gray

Meanwhile, light blue and gray are a classic combo that pairs even better when made of soft materials like cashmere and wool.

Prep school but make it post-grad

Librarian-core still has a tight grip on the fashion world, with plaid and argyle nails trending in winter 2025. Luckily, there are tons of argyle sweaters and rugby tops that feature light blue and take all the guess work out of mixing colors. Pair with baggy or wide-leg jeans, and you won’t look as if you spent the day studying algebra. And if you’re going for the blue and brown look, Abercrombie has a great crewneck that’s currently on clearance.

A pop of pale blue

If you want to start off small, try incorporating a light blue bag, shoe, or scarf into the mix. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to test various suggestions in this piece, as one street style expert did by pairing her blue quilted Chanel bag with a chocolate leather bomber and soft brown headscarf.