Throughout summer 2026 vibrant tones like tangerine orange and tomato red surge in popularity - but cooler shades can be gorgeous to wear in the heat too. The Queen of Spain ditched brights for icy blue to chair a meeting in Andalusia this month and the colour was the perfect pairing for her tailored outfit.
Letizia joined the Directors of the Cervantes Institute's Centres wearing a long-line Hugo Boss waistcoat and elasticated trousers to match. They were such a pale blue that they almost looked white and the subtle hue emphasised the minimalist designs.
Bright suits are a royal staple, but the structure and bold colour together can also make them seem very formal. Letizia's pale blue co-ord is softer and more relaxed, with elasticated trousers and no blazer.
Shop Queen Letizia's Tailored Look
I'd advise moving fast if you're tempted to pick up Queen Letizia's exact waistcoat as it's selling fast and is currently on sale. It's the palest blue tone and has a structured, longline shape and contrasting buttons running down from the V-neckline. Made from crepe, it's also fully lined.
Mary Jane shoes are not only very on trend right now, but very secure on your feet. This design from Sézane is the same as Queen Letizia's shoes, though hers are in a slightly different colour. The block heel is mid-height, offering elevation whilst still being comfortable to wear in the daytime.
These mid-rise trousers have a subtle flared shape and are a subtle blue tone. They're simple yet stunning, with belt loops so you can accessorise them easily. The breathable linen-blend material is great for hot weather and there are discreet side seam pockets.
Shop More Icy Blue Favourites
With a super flowy silhouette, these wide-leg trousers are a lovely option for summer when you don't want to wear dresses. They're on sale right now and they're designed to sit at the natural waist, with a minimal feel. Pair with a casual Tee or a waistcoat if you want a smarter, Letizia-esque look.
Affordable and classic, this soft-touch top can be thrown on with jeans, shorts or skirts and the boat neckline will bring an extra touch of elegance. It also comes in a few other colours and patterns, including versatile plain white. The sleeveless design is lovely for summer and balances out the higher cut.
I've been living in satin skirts in this heatwave and they work with everything from camis to T-shirts and linen shirts. This design from Ghost comes in a few other colours and is bias-cut to give it a beautiful drape. It's crafted from satin back crepe and has a tie details so you can adjust the fit.
If you're not someone who has a lot of colourful pieces in your summer capsule wardrobe, going for something very pale like this is an easy place to start. Cool colours look gorgeous against neutrals like white, ivory and grey and bring a refreshing, understated quality to an outfit.
You can just make out that the Queen was wearing a white cami underneath her waistcoat and the colour contrast was incredibly subtle. Adding a vest under a more low-cut piece like this is an easy way to boost confidence wearing it and ensure it's not too much for certain occasions.
However, waistcoats can be worn as tops in their own right too and for the most flattering fit, I'd either go for a cropped design or a longer one.
Something that falls to the natural waist could cut off your frame at an awkward point, whereas shorter waistcoats accentuate the waist. Longer styles often cinch in too and when worn with coordinating trousers, they give a lovely silhouette-elongating effect.
The Queen of Spain kept her ensemble for the meeting simple and wore a pair of block-heeled Mary Jane shoes by Sezane and a white Furla bag. They allowed the clothing to do all the talking and are versatile enough to work into so many different summer outfits too.
This is exactly what you want from accessories and I'd also go for a white bag and shoes with ice-blue, though comfortable sandals or espadrilles would be my pick over heels day-to-day. If you've got a light blue top or blouse, you could pair these with white jeans and an icy blue dress would be wonderful for a wedding or special party.
Queen Letizia has quite a few pale blue items, from pencil skirts and blouses, to midi-dresses and other suits and each time she tends to keep everything else pared-back. Although silver is a cool-toned metal and would complement the colour of Letizia's co-ord perfectly, she doesn't worry too much about this unofficial rule.
She chose a gold chain necklace for the Directors of the Cervantes Institute's Centres meeting and it just goes to show that you can wear your favourite pieces with cool colours too, no matter what undertones they have.
