NEW YORK—Earlier this month, The Pantone Color Institute announced their 2020 color of the year: Classic Blue. Pantone describes the color as “a timeless and enduring blue hue elegant in its simplicity.” According to Pantone, it makes the perfect choice for 2020’s Color of the Year because, “Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for stability.”

Across the design world—from fashion to interior design and everything in between—designers are looking to Classic Blue for inspiration, and frame companies and independent ECPs are no exception. Here’s a look at how a handful of independents are taking 2020’s Color of the Year onboard:


Al Roker’s electric blue Dom Vetro frames went viral earlier this year, ahead of Pantone’s announcement. Image via Al Roker on Instagram.



Valley Optical Eyewear in Hillside, New Jersey, featured these classic blue MCM frames on their Instagram. Image via Valley Optical Eyewear on Instagram.



l.a. Eyeworks’ Utility Muffin in blue shows that a classic color can still be edgy and unexpected. Image via l.a. Eyeworks on Instagram.



Dexter Family Eyecare in Dexter, Michigan, featured a trendy pair of blue Kate Spade frames to help keep the winter blues away. Image via Dexter Family Eyecare on Instagram.



Seattle based Oculus Eyecare featured a pair of Barton Perreira Duffy frames to fit the Classic Blue theme. Image via Oculus Eyecare on Instagram.