Aquamarine Summer
Goodwill glamor, pop star style, and the shade that blue my mind...
The world is my oyster, and I’m the only girl…
So goes Addison Rae’s “Aquamarine,” and so sings my heart when I don the song’s namesake. That electric blue makes my heart jump like two Lisa Frank-style dolphins leaping over a technicolor sunset, á la “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson. It is a color, as Ms. Rae further implies, you could dive into. Aquamarine!
The thrill began with a $6 top from Goodwill (as most things do around here). Bright blue and ruched at the center, the piece floated to the top of my dresser drawer only this summer, despite having been acquired several years ago. I had forgotten it—forsaken it? I believe the top unearthed itself from the depths of my closet just as the time was right, not unlike how the Gods dictated the journey of Odysseus.
Our reunion was equally epic. The top’s aqua hues felt intoxicatingly nostalgic; slipping it on felt like the first day of a beach vacation, when your pedicure and skin barrier are still fully in tact. Possibilities are endless, and everything is effortless. Like Aqua in Aquamarine, who breezily crafts a mini dress out of a men’s long-sleeved shirt. (Tutorial here.) The color just oozes bliss—a beta blocker blue, you could say.
From the moment that top hit my skin, the floodgates opened. My aqua pool turned into an ocean, the current picking up a pair of vibrant Brooke Callahan shorts from The Real Real, then a fabulous fringe Plein Sud top on Depop.
A silk Victoria’s Secret slip dress, trimmed with aquamarine lace, became the crown jewel of my summer wardrobe despite its initial $12.99 price tag at Goodwill. Another thrifted find, an aqua silk skirt, has since yassified many a top.
I’m not just swimming in the superb shade now: I’m back-paddling, breast-stroking, and butterflying my way through every outfit.
What could have airbrushed the shade in my subconscious? Certainly not the Devil Wears Prada sequel’s tired reference of cerulean. Maybe the resurgence of ‘80s teal and cobalt? Or the color’s overwhelming adoption by pop stars like Zara Larsson, Charli XCX, Tyla, and, of course, Addison Rae?
See also: Turquoise-y feathers at Balenciaga’s fall 2026 couture show, pops of aqua (and impeccable styling) at Celine men’s spring 2027, breezy UV-resistant veils at Courrèges spring 2026, and candy-wrapper colors at Marc Jacobs spring 2027.
More refreshing waves of color splashed along the coasts of Prabal Gurung spring 2026 and Valentino fall 2026. Burberry spring 2026 peered into the blue reflecting pool with aqua, teal, and mint tones, while Stella McCartney spring 2026 dove right in.
Clearly, the aqua tsunami is less a fleeting extreme weather event and more a season (or two, or three, as evidenced by the runways). In my book, it’s evergreen! In a figurative sense, at least.
The shade bottles up the warmth and optimism of summer. It pairs well with a tan and a frozen mojito. But! It should be carried into the colder months for that same reason. You’ll need a blue that can light up your day, especially when said day ends with a sunset at 4pm. Consider an aqua accessory in the vein of leather gloves, a clutch, or a long, useless skinny scarf.
Surely I’ll be letting the color electrify me for months to come. Should you want to invest in aqua too—stock is going up quick—I’d recommend:
Thanks for reading! Wishing you a very aqua summer.
Want to keep up with what I’m writing (and wearing)? Follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Looking for more shopping recs? Check out all my fashion finds here, and consign on TheRealReal using my partner link to get $200 in site credit. Interested in working together? Reach out here.
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