Styles: Electric Avenue

CALL THE DEEP, RICH BLUE that's crashed into fashion this summer ocean, electric or cobalt. One thing's crystal clear: The saturated hue flatters everyone from pale-eyed blondes to dark-skinned brunettes.

"Cobalt reminds you of the sea or vacation," says Baltimore designer Dyanne Marte, who uses it often in her Dennya knitwear.

The last time the shade rocked this hard, Pat Benatar topped the charts and "The Facts of Life" gals wore cobalt sweaters with their pleated black pants. But this time around, the new blues look better paired with subtler tones — acid green, bronze, yellow.

"It's delicious with white or chocolate brown," says Marte. And sapphire even goes well with another true blue, turquoise. Combine them to gleam like a jewel on the town.

Here, Charis wears a Shoshanna dress ($350, All About Jane, 2839 Clarendon Blvd.) and a wire and stone bracelet ($45, Hysteria, 125 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria; 703-548-1615).

» TO DIVE into cool blue, click here.

Written by Jennifer Barger and Express contributor Elizabeth P. Gibbens
Hair and makeup, Victoria Styles, T.H.E. Artist Agency
Model, T.H.E. Artist Agency
Photos by Marge Ely/Express