This post is an example of a time when an affordable item of clothing spurred my interest in a very big color trend on the F/W 2012 runways. The other day, I bought these wonderful, 60s-inspired pants at the Gap:

The Gap refers to them as Slim Cropped Pants in Active Blue ($49.95), but this particular shade of blue is directly inspired by Olympian Blue, one of the season’s hottest colors.

I remembered seeing Stella McCartney do wonders with Olympian Blue — fitting, given her status as THEE designer for the summer Olympics’ British team. I wanted to check back and take note on how she styled her pieces. With the exception of pairing blue with grey (which I’m not nuts about), Stella stuck to a blue, black, and white palette. I think it looks fresh and modern:

I like Olympian Blue a lot more than I thought, so I began seeking out affordable clothes in this shade. Here’s what I found:

Asos Mini Skirt with Ruffle Hem, $51.09

modcloth.com Blue and Me Forever Dress, $59.99

Modcloth.com I Dot So Tights in Blue, $15.99

The Gap Anchor Rain Boots, $39.95

Macy’s Ralph Lauren, $54.50

French Connection Striped Dress, $178

Splendid Twofer Dress, $128

Calvin Klein Pleated Colorblock Dress, $99.99

Taylor Striped Side Bow Dress, $118