This week in the Bake Off tent, among the dough and trays of pastries, Nigella stood out in her electric blue shirt. But that shirt is not just blue. It's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's not even cerulean. It's cobalt blue – the shade of the season – as confirmed by Ms Lawson herself.
From Victoria Beckham to Calvin Klein, cobalt blue was one of the standout colours on the A/W26 catwalks (and the regal shade is set to reign into spring and summer too). Now we're suddenly seeing it all over the high street for winter. Vibrant and rich, it screams dopamine dressing. We'll be pairing ours with pops of red and bitter chocolate brown.
And, if our favourite Bake Off judge (sorry, Paul) has inspired you, we've managed to source a similar version to Nigella's versatile shirt from Hobbs, a brand she often wears on the show. It has that same boxy cut that sits comfortably on the waist of your trousers, without needing to be tucked in or hoiked up.
We've also found this slightly more affordable one from Next, which still comes in that brilliant cobalt blue, but this time in a silky satin.
Nigella opted for a casual button-down style for pastry week, worn over a simple black T-shirt, jeans and trainers. Because black and blue do go.
All our favourite brands, including Boden and M&S, are currently celebrating cobalt in their latest collections (it feels particularly right for the run in to December with its jewel tones). So, we've shared our favourite pieces to shop now, if you're feeling blue.
Oh, and if you're wondering where to bag Alison Hammond's leopard print and lace dress, head to Rixo for its Clarice Midi Dress.
