Styling Blue for Spring
Plus, what it's like being an independent retailer in 2025.
This post is in partnership with Maze.
This may seem like a dramatic statement but I always think blue, when it comes to clothing, gets overlooked. It doesn’t carry the same boldness as red. The same chicness as black. The same freshness as white. Or the same of-the-moment-ness as shades like powder pink or butter yellow.
But chances are, we all have a lot of it in our wardrobes — I know I certainly do. In fact, when I think about my best wardrobe staples and the pieces I wear most regularly, blue appears a lot. There’s the navy cashmere jumper, the blue-and-white-striped button-up shirt and the oversized navy linen shirt that get worn all year round. And in spring and summer especially, there’s an indigo cotton jacket, sky blue linen set and navy jersey slip dress that get a look in almost weekly.
Maybe it’s because blue is such a staple that we forget to give it the attention it deserves. It’s one of those “always there” colours so maybe it feels as though it goes without saying that we all wear it.
But I’m here to shine a spotlight on blue, specifically for spring. I’ve styled five of my favourite blue pieces from Bristol-based (and online) independent retailer Maze, which stocks brands including YMC, Sessùn, Girls of Dust, L.F. Markey, MHL, Austin Austin and more. Maze is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year which is no mean feat for an independent — especially in this economy.
I’m a big advocate of supporting small, independent brands and retailers so I sat down with the team to learn more about their success, how they choose the pieces they stock, and why eco-conscious design is a top priority. You’ll find that Q&A at the end of this post.
Look 1
A navy button-up shirt is one of my favourite things to wear in spring. I have a few in varying shades, shapes and fits and reach for them whenever I want that light shirt feeling but it doesn’t feel warm enough to go head-to-toe light colours.
This YMC shirt is made from organic cotton seersucker; a cool fabric that’s great for warmer weather and adding more texture and detail to an outfit. It has a relaxed fit but it’s not oversized so if you want to tuck it into your waistband, like I have here, you don’t have to deal with excess fabric.
I love the inkiness of this navy, especially paired with the ecru of the linen trousers. I’ve finished off the look with caged fisherman sandals in dark brown (a good option if you want to wear sandals in spring but you’re not ready for full toes out just yet) and a tobacco-coloured bag that looks equally as good when worn across the body too.
Look 2
I always imagine spring being warm and sunny but the reality is we have plenty of days in the UK when layers, boots and coats are still necessary. The trick with spring dressing is choosing pieces that are light, and layers that work individually if you find yourself having to take a jacket or two off if and when the temperature does rise for a few hours.
The YMC trousers are perfect for this time of year. They’re made from a midweight cotton/linen blend so they’re light without feeling too summery. They’re high-waisted, have front pleats for shape and a wide leg that adds so much to an outfit’s silhouette. I love navy with green, so I’ve paired them with an olive green quilted jacket, breaking up the two colours with an ecru linen shirt.
With my realistic hat on, I popped my oversized trench on top in image two. It’s a colour and shape that complements the rest of the pieces in the outfit so it works as a considered extra layer, rather than looking like an odd afterthought. It’s also light enough that I can fold it up and pop it in my bag when I’m out and about if needed.
Look 3
Yes, I know Jane Birkin’s style has been fawned over (and over), and her outfits feature on almost all of our Pinterest boards at least once. But the moment I slipped these Sessùn jeans on, that’s exactly where my mind went. This outfit isn’t revolutionary — it’s jeans and a T-shirt — but aren’t the best outfits sometimes the most simple, and tried-and-tested?
The key to making a “simple” outfit work lies in the quality of its parts. I’ll start with the jeans. They have a high-rise waist and tapered leg and they’re made from TENCEL™ Lyocell, a fibre sourced from renewable wood. They’re soft, easy and comfortable to wear and the size 8 (my usual size) fits me perfectly — no gaping at the waist, no pulling at the front, and no having to roll up the hems to fit my 5’4” frame.
Then there’s the T-shirt. It’s from Sunray, the Cornwall-based brand that makes its pieces in Japan on vintage circular knitting machines. This process helps each garment to hang perfectly and stay in shape, which is particularly good when it comes to T-shirts. This tee is made from 100% recycled cotton. It’s soft but it feels hardy; the kind of piece you’d keep for years. It’s slightly cropped so it’s perfect for high-waisted trousers — I’ve tucked it in here and there are no dodgy bulky bits of fabric you’d get with a long top.
Finally, the accessories. I’ve gone for classic brown leather in another nod to Jane, with a square cross-body bag and fisherman sandals I wear constantly in the warmer months. It’s one of those everyday looks I know I’ll always feel good in.
Look 4
Ok, this outfit is probably overly optimistic for a UK spring so maybe file this one under ‘late spring/early summer’. My first thought with this Girls of Dust vest was to layer it over a long-sleeved T-shirt but I loved how it sat with the YMC trousers (the same shown in look 2) so much that I stripped it back to just the two pieces.
The vest is 100% cotton. It’s soft, quilted and light so it’s perfect if you want an extra layer that doesn’t feel too thick or warm. It also works on its own when the front ties are done up. It’s quite short so if you do wear it like this, it’s best paired with high-waisted bottoms (or you could wear it over a slip dress for a vest-and-skirt look).
I’ve finished this look off with the same fisherman sandals I’m wearing in look one but it would work just as well with canvas trainers or flat chunky boots if you’re not a sandals fan.
The Q&A
Hannah Holloway, daughter of Maze founders Glenn and Gillian Vaughan, answers my questions.
You’re celebrating 40 years this year. What inspired the opening of Maze in 1985?
My dad started Maze as a menswear store. He’d been working as the manager of a clothes shop for over a decade and decided that he’d rather do it for himself. He was putting in long hours, but he wasn’t reaping any of the rewards.
His decision to go it alone came from a gradual process of learning the trade and taking a chance, rather than a single lightbulb moment. I was five at the time. It was quite a gamble, and my folks risked everything they owned to start the business. Failure just wasn’t an option. They grafted and made it work. Once it was up and running, my mum left her job and came on board to open a womenswear store. Over the next decade, they expanded and opened in several different cities, including Bristol where we are today.
I joined the party quite late after working as an art editor in London (I studied History of Art) and now I get to enjoy the glory of their hard work as the second-generation shopkeeper.
What’s changed, and what’s stayed the same, since then?
On one hand everything — the proliferation of high street chains, the internet, the rise of direct-to-consumer websites, and the decline of other independent stores — but when I think of Maze, I see consistency.
We’ve always set out to work with people like us, who care about their craft and want to create something a little bit special. We champion design-led products and present them in a way that hopefully inspires people to find new ways to mix and blend the collections.
Despite working with many different brands over the years, the way we edit and curate the product in-store has given us a clear aesthetic — a distinct Maze style that remains the same. Not many people wear one brand head-to-toe and our way of presenting different collections by colour encourages people to discover new combinations that suit the way they want to dress.
We’ve always had high standards of customer care and product presentation, and we love making each piece look the best it possibly can. Good design is inspiring, and we try to filter and refine the pieces we’ve found to give a polished selection. Our love of good clothes and our desire to share the joy they can bring hasn’t changed a bit since we opened the doors in 1985.
The retail landscape has changed a lot over the last 40 years and many independent retailers have sadly had to close their doors. What’s it like running an independent retail business in 2025?
Much like my parents in 1985, I don’t really consider failure an option! Maze has played a significant role in my life, and I hope it will continue to do so. There’s a lot of work involved in keeping all the plates spinning, but I enjoy turning up each day, trying to improve on the day before. The cyclical nature of the job — buying, then merchandising and selling — appeals to my nature. I enjoy the creative renewal it brings. The physical store attracts a great community and we’re lucky that we get to work with an interesting and inspiring team. There are always so many fascinating people to meet.
How do you choose the brands that you stock? What do you look for?
Do we love it? Would we wear it? Does it have a strong identity, a core style that’s more than just a passing trend? We can’t possibly wear everything we buy, but it’s still about whether it’s relevant to how we want to live. We tend to keep a group of people in mind when we’re buying and ask ourselves, would they wear it? We’re fascinated by brands with heritage, those who stake claim to a particular style and make it their own. We want to sell things that are honest and genuine. Above all, we just have to love it.
You’ve always championed eco-conscious makers. Why is this important to you?
We all need to be aware of what we buy and the impulses behind that. Where we spend our money can have a lot of influence and if you choose brands that care about the environment and the people they work with, that makes a difference. We hope to encourage the purchase of long-lasting pieces and support good employment opportunities for those involved in clothing production.
I’m all for online shopping but there’s something so special about an in-store experience. What can someone expect from visiting Maze in Clifton? What else should they check out in the area?
Physical retail is hugely important. The shopping experience is as essential as the collections we champion. We want this to be an enjoyable process for our customers, and that extends beyond our store into the local area. We choose to be in a village location at the top of the city. We’re surrounded by sweeping Georgian crescents with Brunel’s impressive suspension bridge nearby.
Clifton is one of Bristol’s most striking neighbourhoods, filled with independent stores, restaurants and coffee shops like Burra and Mercy Mercy Mercy that keep it feeling vibrant and youthful. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a stroll and find some great clothing. We hope it brings a bit of beauty and positivity to the world.
You can find Maze at 26-28 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol, UK or shop online here. International delivery is available.
Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
This post contains some affiliate links. If you buy something through those links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Those Sessun jeans on you!!!!
Literally reading this as I’m wearing head to toe blue 😂💙 love look 3 on you!!!